Comments on Historical Resources pages—Bidwell Park Master Management Plan Update

Re: Comment on Draft Bidwell Park Master Management Plan and Environmental Impact Report

Comments on Historical Resources pages

Master Management Plan

Historic and Current Context of the Park Section 1.1.2 pages 1-2, 1-3 and 1-5

1. According to most historical documents, 1902 acres were donated in 1905, not "approximately1903" acres.
2. The first sentence of the first paragraph has a grammatical error "...Chico Creek from Expanded to the Southern...). What was the intended meaning? Other sources (Boze, 2004 and Verna Mackey, pers. comm.) state that the second major donation from Annie Bidwell was 301 acres, not 302. Also, the same sentence implies that Children's Playground is considered part of Bidwell Park. Please clarify if it is or not.
3. Please clearly explain in detail why Annie Bidwell's Deed is no longer "legally binding" on page 1-3, (Perhaps include all legal documentation in appendices). Who made this legal determination, and based on what authority, criteria and legal precedence?
4. Is the City still committed to preserving the natural qualities of Bidwell Park for future generations to enjoy and appreciate as requested by Annie Bidwell and as promised by the City of Chico when it accepted her gift? This language was very clear in the current Management Plan for the park, for good reason. Why was this changed for the new Management Plan? Who decided that it should be changed/dropped as an explicitly stated commitment? This is a point of serious contention among many, and dropping this historical commitment opens the door for all sorts of future problems. To Friends of Bidwell Park, this is a serious matter and amounts to a simplistic normalization of previously unacceptable, incompatible and ultimately degrading activities.
5. The first paragraph on page 1-5 is missing a reference to the acquisition of the Kennedy Tract (24 acres acquired by bequest in 1934, according to J. Boze, not 20 acres in "1930s or 40s" as stated on page 2-91). Other sources, including Chico Planner B. Vieg at a 6/13/07 public meeting, have stated that the TPL purchase was 40 acres, not 38 acres. Please confirm acreage both here and on page 2-91. Also, the Forestry Station acquisition is described here as 29 acres and on page 2-91 as 37 acres.
6. In the second paragraph, the Rod & Gun Club should be added as a park facility. Also, the Bidwell Bowl area (both sides of the creek) which presumably was part of the original 1905 grant and is still managed by the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission and Park Division for improvements, maintenance & reservations should be considered to be part of Bidwell Park, both here and in other sections of the document that list specific park locations.
7. In the third paragraph, "Checker bloom" should be "Checkerbloom"

Historic Content; Section 2.3.3.4, pg 2-90, paragraphs 1-3

Please refer to the list of references at the end of these comments. Information pertaining to these questions can be found in these publicly available sources, FOBP website at www. friendsofbidwellpark.org (history) and attachments.

1. Why is this section completely void of any historical content pertaining to, and of Bidwell Park? There is no referral to the original Deed (Appendix A), there is no reference to the reason Annie Bidwell donated the Park to the City of Chico, there is no reference to any of the editorials from that very significant event in California's history.
2. What was the relationship between the Bidwell's, their beloved "Vallombrosa" and the citizens of Chico? These relationships formed the context for "The Gift".
3. What was the sentiment and intent of their donation? This donation was an unprecedented event in California history and a great celebration for the citizens of Chico. The Bidwell's donation was also the center of great hoopla recently with Rick Keene, Wally Herger and others celebrating and giving thanks and praise at the 100-year anniversary in 2005.
4. Were there concerns about the quality of the natural setting, potential future land-uses, activities or concerns about government that motivated the Bidwell's donation?
5. What is the history of land-uses before and after the donation?
6. Why mention the "Wilkes Expedition" of 1841 but not the Bidwell-Bartleson Party of 1841? It seems more pertinent to the history of Bidwell Park to discuss how John Bidwell came to California, and why.
7. Why are there no description of the location and acreages of the two original Land Grants bought by John Bidwell (Rancho del Arroyo Chico, 26,000 acre land grant acquired in 1849 and 1850, State Historic Landmark #329)? It was two separate purchases.
8. Why is there no mention of Bidwell Park being a valuable remnant of this historical original Land Grant?
9. Why is there no mention of John Bidwell's and Chico's prominent role in agricultural innovation, early California and United States government and history? It seems that given the detail paid to the "larger historical California landscape" (e.g., Spaniards and Hudson's Bay Trappers), equal or better detail could be expected for the actual subjects of study.
10. In paragraph 3, change "Rancho Arroyo Chico" to its correct name, "Rancho del Arroyo Chico" in 2 places.
11. Who were some of the other important historic persons known to visit the park (e.g., Joseph Hooker, William Le Conte, John Muir, William Brewer, Susan B. Anthony (at dedication), Errol Flynn, and likely others)?

Historic Content; Section 2.3.3.4, pg 2-90, paragraph 5

Humboldt Road

1. Why is there not a more detailed description of this important California historical feature? Although it was conceived and partially funded by John Bidwell, the section built through Bidwell Park was likely built on a major original Native American trail and was likely built by members of the local Mechoopda Indian Tribe.
2. Shouldn't this section quantify how much of the historic Humboldt Road is actually located within Bidwell Park, where it is, and describe its current condition? How much of it is preserved elsewhere for the public to view? We think that the only other section is along modern Humboldt Road and is threatened by development. What is the context of this smaller park-segment relative to the larger resource and threat?

Historic Content; Section 2.3.3.4, pg 2-90, paragraph 6, pg 2-91, 1st paragraph

Big Chico Creek Lumber Flume

1. Shouldn't this section quantify how much of the historic Big Chico Creek Lumber Flume existed in Bidwell Park and where it was located? Are there associated historical sites associated with the construction of this flume through Big Chico Creek Canyon (old camps and dump sites)?

Omissions from Historic Content; Section 2.3.3.4, pg 2-90 and 2-91

Experimental Forestry Station, (Historical Landmark #840-2) and former Hooker Oak Tree, (Historical Landmark #313)

1. This section fails to discuss the historical content and current condition of two California Historical Landmarks located within Bidwell Park: the Chico Forestry Station and Nursery (established 1888, one of the first two in the nation, Historical Landmark #840-2) and the site of the historical Hooker Oak Tree (Historical Landmark #313).

Historic Water Flume

1. The historic water flume parallels the Lower Trail and Yahi Trail throughout much of its length from Diversion Dam to Horseshoe Lake. Again, shouldn't this section quantify how much of the historic flume is present within Bidwell Park, where it is, and describe its current condition? Describing it as a "diversion dam and ditch" in Section 2.3.3.5 ignores the concrete and rock walls and floor along portions of the flume, the diversion gates, and the numerous rock bridges, many of which have the 1939 construction date embedded in the concrete. There have been significant recent impacts made to this flume with a sledge-hammer as part of unsupervised trail maintenance activities. There is also ongoing wear-and-tear associated with normal trail use and importantly, unauthorized mountain-bikers (the Yahi Trail is closed to mountain-bikers).

Corrections to Historic Content, Section 2.3.3.5, page 2-91

1. In first paragraph, correct "Bidwells'" to "Bidwell's" (It was owned by only 1 person).
2. The 1905 donation was 1902 acres, not 1092 acres.
3. Please identify the road that's described as the "alternative canyon road." Is it South Park Dr? Upper Park Drive? Please make this additional correction to the next sentence: "North Park Drive was renamed Petersen Memorial Drive in 1951." Also, the inclusion of the diversion dam and "ditch" within this same paragraph doesn't make sense—there's no road associated with the dam and flume.
4. "A small-bore range..." "located just north of the gate in Upper Park"—there are 3 Upper Park gates. To which does this refer?
5. "The addition of 9 more holes occurred in 1954-57." These new holes were on the south side of the creek so presumably a bridge was also constructed at that time.
6. "Live Oak Grove..." implies that this midget-car racing activity still occurs at this site. Permission was rescinded in 1966 (Boze, 2005)

Corrections to Historic Content, Section 2.3.3.5, page 2-92

1. The Forestry Station tract was 29 acres, not 37.
2. "Walnut trees located on the 24 (not 20) acres owned by the Kennedys..." This sentence implies that the Kennedys still owned this acreage in 1953. They didn't. Please correct the sentence.
3. "A dam forming the 4th Street..."—Anyone who has visited Lower Bidwell Park knows that the creek and its dam is much closer to Vallombrosa Way than to 4th St. It is never described in current park informational brochures as being the 4th St. dam. Generally, it is referred to as the One Mile Dam or Sycamore Pool Dam. If historically, it was referred to as the 4th St dam, then a sentence should be added to make it clear that you are referring to the current dam.
4. The one sentence that describes the current condition of these historic projects and sites is totally inadequate in the context of currently planned and future park projects that will have possible impacts on these sites. In addition, other post-settlement historic features that should have been included were not. For additional information, please see the "Possible Historic Features" table that we've appended at the end of these comments.
5. What is the history of land-use conflicts-resolution? For example, citizens of Chico pressured the City to prohibit off-road Four-Wheel Drive use. Local Jeep dealers actually used to encourage customers to test-drive the vehicles in Upper Park before purchase (W. Dempsey per. comm.). Why were the Skeet and Outdoor Rifle Ranges, soapbox car races, Horseshoe Lake water skiing, parachute jumping, and midget car tracks activities ended? This is especially pertinent because the Management Plan is supposed to address potential land-use conflicts, of which there is a long historic list. And now, many citizens (hikers, bikers, educators, consultants, scientists) justifiably perceive that the proposed Disc Golf Courses is yet another significant land-use conflict on the historic list. How did the old management plan document this?

Comments regarding EIR

Impacts to Cultural Resources; Section E4.3.4

Historic Humboldt Road; pages E4-93 to E4-95

1. The EIR discusses unavoidable impacts of 500 to 700 feet of the historic road because it would be covered over by the parking lot for the Disc Golf/Trailhead Plan. It fails to discuss the direct, indirect and cumulative impacts to remaining 1200 to 1400 feet of the road within the project area. The current bootleg short course and proposed short course map clearly shows the fairways crossing over the road in several areas.
2. Shouldn't the EIR discuss the impacts (and foreseeable impacts due to a currently proposed residential development) that would impact a very large section of the road closer to Chico, therefore making the impacts to the road section in Bidwell Park more significant?
3. Why is covering over 500 to 700 feet of the Humboldt Road and placing fairways through the remaining 1200 to 1400 feet considered "not significant" to historical resources?
4. Why is covering over 500 to 700 feet of the Humboldt Road and placing fairways through the remaining 1200 to 1400 feet considered "not significant" with regards to aesthetics? This is a very clearly defined area of the historic road in a very scenic area. To FOBP, the aesthetic impacts would be very significant.

Omissions from Impacts to Cultural Resources; Section E4.3.4

Historic Water Flume

Since this historic water flume parallels the Lower Trail and Yahi Trail throughout much of its length from Diversion Dam to Horseshoe Lake, it seems that the potential for impacts should be discussed. Because it is associated with trails, portions of this historical resource have been damaged from volunteers working for the City to "improve drainage" and from wear and tear from hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. We see no mention in the EIR of how the trail plan addresses this historic resource and how the plan avoids or minimizes these impacts. Trails Plan; page E4-93.

Other Trail Plan Impacts

Also, since, as is stated in paragraph 1, a systematic cultural inventory has not been made of the park, it's equally likely that the construction of new trails or realignment of existing trails would negatively impact cultural resources as the closures would "result in beneficial effects on historic and archaeological resources."

Omissions from Impacts to Cultural Resources; Section E4.3.4

Experimental Forestry Station

Since the Experimental Forestry Station Historic Landmark features could potentially be impacted by the Cedar Grove plan, it should be discussed in this section. There is no mention in the EIR of how the Cedar Grove Plan addresses this historic resource and how the plan avoids or minimizes these impacts. At the very least, an assessment should be made of the historic Experimental Forestry Station plantings to determine their current condition and whether they would be impacted by the project.

Possible Historic Features in Bidwell Park

(These features may not necessarily require preservation, but FOBP believes that public discussions should take place before any of them are altered or removed.)

Site Name	Estimated Construction Date	History/Condition
Park Acquisitions/Losses
Original gift of 1902 acres from Annie Bidwell	1905	From Warner Ave. to east end of park
Additional gift of 301 acres from Annie Bidwell	1911	Northeast corner of the park
Forestry Station 29-acre purchase from University of Calif.	1922	Area by Cedar Grove & Chico Creek Nature Center
Kennedy Tract 24-acre bequest	1934	Site of walnut orchard, now reverting to oak woodland
40-acre purchase from TPL (who acquired it from BLM)	1993	Site of unofficial disc golf courses
1417-acre purchase on south side from E. Simmons & D. Drake	1995
CSU, Chico acquires park land between Warner & Arcadian Avenues	1955
West of Lower Park
Bidwell Bowl	1938	Built by WPA, still in use
Annie's Glen	1950s	Created when Pine St. Bridge was built
Camellia Way Park	1958	Still in use
Lower Park
Entrance gates at E. 4th St and Cypress, including pillars & lights	1934, Monday pm Bridge Club	Still in use
Horseshoe pits		Still in use
Entrance gates at Vallombrosa Way, including pillars & lights		Still in use
Sycamore Pool Dam	1921	Still in use, has been replaced several times
Sycamore Pool bridge		Still in use
Sycamore Pool fish ladder	1957	Still in use
Sycamore Pool	1921-1925	Still in use, needs $2M in repairs
Campfire Council Ring	1954	Still in use, needs repairs to mosaics
Caper Acres	Proposed in 1958 by Chico Women's Club, built 1970	Still in use
Sycamore ball fields	1930s, 1940s	Still in use
Bear's Lair by CCNC		Former site of Bidwell Park Zoo
Barn at Chico Creek Nature Center		Burned down Oct 2006
Chico Creek Nature Center	1980, site in use as park headquarters since 1921
Cork oak trees	1904	Cork harvested several times in the 1940s, still growing
Old homestead site		Horticultural plantings still visible
Scout island
Cedar Grove group picnic area	1954	Still in use
Flume south of South Park Dr. (looks like dirt mound)		Still exists between Centennial and Hwy 99
Deer pen	1951	No deer remaining, but still fenced area
Large fig tree in deer pen
World of Trees	~1900?	Many specimen trees have died, cypress grove has oak root fungus, one of EIR's project areas *
Experimental Forestry Station	1888	Historic Landmark #840-2 *
Middle Park
Hooker Oak tree	~1750	Trees fell down in 1977
Hooker Oak ball fields	1950s	Still in use
Five Mile dam & bridge	First dam constructed in 1859 by J. Bidwell, current dam built 1942-45 (Boze, 2004) or 1960's (draft EIR)	Still in use
Five Mile swimming area	1920s or earlier	Still in use, but not an official swimming area now
Five Mile changing facilities	First constructed in 1887 by J. Bidwell, replaced in 1922, replaced again in 19xx
Sycamore Bypass	1962	Still in use
Bridge at golf course	1953? When golf course was expanded to olive orchard on south side?	Old bridge washed away in 1971, was replaced
Bidwell Park Golf Course	1920s	Major expansion in 1989
Summer camp at Hooker Oak Park (now called Camp Chi-da-ca	1951	Still in use
Horse Arena	After 1953	Still in use
Hooker Oak park baseball fields	1950
Upper Park (south side)
12-15' high (?) rock retaining wall across from golf course		Still in good condition
Pistol range	1954	Removed in 2005
Olive orchard		Still there, although part of orchard was removed for golf course expansion
Sheep camp		Rock sheep pen still visible
Homestead near Bear Hole		John Copeland recalls visiting the buildings with his brothers during the 1920's
Wooden flume for transporting logs		Dismantled in 1xxx
Possible flumekeeper's cabin site		Hasn't been located yet
Humboldt Road in BLM acquisition	1864	Visible wagon tracks, proposed disc golf course parking lot would cover 500-700 ft of road
Ten Mile House Road		Still there, has had major repairs over the years
Cabin site at bottom of road		Cabin torn down in 200x
Man-made pond by cabin site		Still there
Fig & persimmon trees at cabin site		Still there
Old sheds and equipment near cabin site		Still there—have condition and contents been inventoried?
Upper Park (north side)
Upper Park Road	~1911
Easter Cross	~1951	Replaced several times
Soap box derby run	1958	Sections of asphalt still visible on hillside
Rocks with grinding holes	Pre-historic	North Rim trail near Blue Oak Trail
Horseshoe Lake	1930s	Still in use, one of EIR's project areas
Rod & Gun Club	1954	Still in use
Rifle range	1926	Removed in 2005
2 concrete bunkers	1931 for the one that's still there	One removed in 2005
Flume-Diversion Dam, flume walls, floor, rock bridges on north side of road	1930s-1939 date on several bridges	Built by WPA workers; Dam intact, most flume walls intact but in some disrepair, rock bridges intact
Flume-terra cotta pipe, standpipe by rifle range from another water flume	1957	Still visible
PG&E cable across BCC upstream of Day Camp		Concrete piers remaining
Archery range	1946
Stone barbeque near former archery range		Still visible
Fish ladder by Salmon Hole	1958	Not totally functional, major upgrade planned
Sandstone wall graffiti	Pre-historic?

References should include:

• Boze, M. Jeanne. 2004. Bidwell Park The Beginnings
• Boze, M. Jeanne. 2005 Bidwell Park 2005 Centennial Timeline (attached)
• Gillis M.J. and MF. Magliari. 2003. John Bidwell and California-The Life and Writings of a Pioneer. 1841-1900.
• Moon, D. 2003 Chico- Life and Times of a City of Fortune
• Mackay, Verda Chico History Minutes for KCHO, Northstate Public Broadcasting