Regional Treasure Category - 2013
Bidwell Park
City of Chico
One of the first wildland parks in California, Bidwell Park is 3,670 acres and it the third largest municipally-owned park in California and the 14th largest in the country.
Bidwell Park encompasses 17 vegetation communities, with over 900 different plants species documented in the park along with several threatened and endangered wildlife species.
Bidwell Park is considered the "Crown Jewel" of Chico, which the community regularly votes as "The Best Thing About Chico" in the Chico News and Review's "Best of Chico Contest".
The park is divided into three areas, each with its unique character: the Lower Park comprises flat terrain and a thick canopy of trees including one of the earliest Forestry stations planted in 1888 by John Bidwell and designated a historical landmark.
Middle Park trails are dotted with wildflower fields, vernal pools and blue oak woodland and includes one of Northern California's original municipal golf courses opened in 1929.
Upper Park is characterized by steep foothill terrain and many geologic formations formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. There is evidence of Mechoopda Indians in the park including tools, shallow shelter caves and acorn grinding holes.
Bidwell Park celebrated its centennial in 2005. Annie Bidwell donated the park to the City of Chico on July 20, 1905, noting that the land be used as a public park for the benefit of citizens and residents of the City of Chico for "all time"...
In 2012, the estimated total visits to Bidwell Park was a conservative 1.1 million by car whereas the majority of users access the park by either foot, bike or hoof.
The collaborative efforts of thousands of people have promoted a sense of stewardship and in 2011 volunteers contributed over 17,500 hours of labor to restorative efforts, weeding, trail repair, GPS mapping, trash removal, painting and adoption of park areas for on-going care.
Collaborative partnerships include some of the following: The City's Volunteer Program with long standing relationships with California State University, Chico, Upward Bound High School Programs, Butte College Natural Resources Division, Chico High School horticulture students, Friends of Bidwell Park, Streamminders, Kids and Creeks, Big Chico Creek Watershed Alliance, Mt. Lassen Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, Chico Cat Coalition, Altacal Audubon Society, the Steam Team and the California Conservation Corps.
Bidwell Park encompasses 17 vegetation communities, with over 900 different plants species documented in the park along with several threatened and endangered wildlife species.
Bidwell Park is considered the "Crown Jewel" of Chico, which the community regularly votes as "The Best Thing About Chico" in the Chico News and Review's "Best of Chico Contest".
The park is divided into three areas, each with its unique character: the Lower Park comprises flat terrain and a thick canopy of trees including one of the earliest Forestry stations planted in 1888 by John Bidwell and designated a historical landmark.
Middle Park trails are dotted with wildflower fields, vernal pools and blue oak woodland and includes one of Northern California's original municipal golf courses opened in 1929.
Upper Park is characterized by steep foothill terrain and many geologic formations formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. There is evidence of Mechoopda Indians in the park including tools, shallow shelter caves and acorn grinding holes.
Bidwell Park celebrated its centennial in 2005. Annie Bidwell donated the park to the City of Chico on July 20, 1905, noting that the land be used as a public park for the benefit of citizens and residents of the City of Chico for "all time"...
In 2012, the estimated total visits to Bidwell Park was a conservative 1.1 million by car whereas the majority of users access the park by either foot, bike or hoof.
The collaborative efforts of thousands of people have promoted a sense of stewardship and in 2011 volunteers contributed over 17,500 hours of labor to restorative efforts, weeding, trail repair, GPS mapping, trash removal, painting and adoption of park areas for on-going care.
Collaborative partnerships include some of the following: The City's Volunteer Program with long standing relationships with California State University, Chico, Upward Bound High School Programs, Butte College Natural Resources Division, Chico High School horticulture students, Friends of Bidwell Park, Streamminders, Kids and Creeks, Big Chico Creek Watershed Alliance, Mt. Lassen Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, Chico Cat Coalition, Altacal Audubon Society, the Steam Team and the California Conservation Corps.
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