NEW HOURS and CLOSURES FOR BIDWELL PARK ... - City of Chico
NEW HOURS and CLOSURES FOR BIDWELL PARK ... - City of Chico
NEW HOURS and CLOSURES FOR BIDWELL PARK ... - City of Chico
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<strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Chico</strong><br />
www.ci.chico.ca.us<br />
<strong>FOR</strong> IMMEDIATE RELEASE- REVISED 7/5/13<br />
CONTACT:<br />
Ruben Martinez, Public Works Director<br />
ORGANIZATION: Parks, Open Spaces, Greenways, <strong>and</strong> Preserves Division, Public Works Department, <strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Chico</strong>, 965 Fir Street, PO Box 3420 <strong>Chico</strong>, CA 95927.<br />
PHONE: 530-879-6901 FAX: 530-895-4731<br />
EMAIL:<br />
rmartine@ci.chico.ca.us<br />
WEB ADDRESS: www.chico.ca.us<br />
DATE: July 5, 2013<br />
<strong>City</strong> Changes to Bidwell Park Services<br />
<strong>Chico</strong>, CA. As an effort to achieve a balanced budget for fiscal year 2013-14, reductions have been<br />
made to both the <strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Chico</strong> Park <strong>and</strong> the Street Tree Divisions. Effective on July 5, 2013, the<br />
Parks Division was reduced by three staff <strong>and</strong> the Street Tree Division was reduced by 4 staff. In<br />
addition, a seasonal Ranger position is being eliminated.<br />
With less people, the Parks Division unfortunately will not have the resources to provide the high<br />
quality level <strong>of</strong> service to maintain all <strong>of</strong> the many Bidwell Park facilities (cleaning repairing the<br />
permanent restrooms, repairing irrigation systems, mowing, <strong>and</strong> inspecting Caper Acres playground<br />
apparatus, etc.) on a seven day a week basis. As a result, staff will need to focus on preparing the<br />
Park <strong>and</strong> its facilities for the peak usage days <strong>of</strong> Friday, Saturday, <strong>and</strong> Sunday. Therefore,<br />
beginning on Monday, July 8, 2013, the following changes will be implemented:<br />
1. All gates will be closed to vehicles only (access will still be available to pedestrians, bikers,<br />
equestrians etc.) Monday through Thursday, with the following two exceptions:<br />
a. The main entrance gate to Upper Park at Wildwood Avenue, which will keep Upper Park<br />
Road open to Middle <strong>and</strong> Upper Park facilities, including the Municipal Golf Course, the<br />
Observatory, <strong>and</strong> Horseshoe Lake. Non-vehicle access to trails, Bear Hole, <strong>and</strong> other<br />
swimming holes beyond Horseshoe Lake will be available.
. The main 4 th Street entrance gate on the south side <strong>of</strong> Lower Bidwell Park, which<br />
facilitates ADA <strong>and</strong> vehicle access to the One Mile Recreation Area, Sycamore Pool, <strong>and</strong><br />
the concessions vendor.<br />
2. The Sycamore Pool <strong>and</strong> the One-Mile Restroom on the south side <strong>of</strong> One Mile Recreation Area<br />
will remain open seven days per week, as currently scheduled.<br />
3. The permanent restrooms on the north side <strong>of</strong> One Mile, at Cedar Grove, <strong>and</strong> at the Five Mile<br />
Picnic Area will be closed Monday thru Thursday. However, additional portable restrooms<br />
will be provided at the Cedar Grove <strong>and</strong> Five Mile locations.<br />
4. Unfortunately, Caper Acres will now be closed Monday thru Thursday. The <strong>City</strong> will continue<br />
to explore other options as we settle into a new routine. Should there be an opportunity to<br />
reopen Caper Acres to its old schedule staff will make it the highest priority.<br />
5. Due to the amount <strong>of</strong> preparation <strong>and</strong> cleanup needed after both public <strong>and</strong> private events,<br />
reservations will not be taken for the major group picnic areas in Bidwell Park Monday thru<br />
Thursday. These facilities will be available on a first come, first serve basis on these days.<br />
The <strong>City</strong> appreciates the public’s underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>and</strong> cooperation during this tough fiscal time, <strong>and</strong> is<br />
asking for the public’s help by using alternative transportation to access the park <strong>and</strong> to help keep<br />
the park facilities clean <strong>and</strong> v<strong>and</strong>alism free. The Parks Division will continue to monitor <strong>and</strong><br />
evaluate its ability to serve the public <strong>and</strong> Bidwell Park <strong>and</strong> will be making adjustments where<br />
possible. For more information, please contact the Park Division at (530) 896-7800.<br />
###<br />
The Parks, Open Spaces, Greenways, <strong>and</strong> Preserves Division is within the General Services Department, <strong>and</strong> is<br />
responsible for maintaining <strong>and</strong> operating <strong>City</strong> parks, open space, <strong>and</strong> recreation areas including Bidwell Park,<br />
Children's Playground, Depot Park, <strong>City</strong> Plaza, Lindo Channel, Little <strong>Chico</strong> Creek Greenway, Teichert Ponds, <strong>and</strong> other<br />
preserves. Park Division programs include: Maintenance, Ranger, Lifeguard, <strong>and</strong> Volunteer Programs.<br />
Distribution:<br />
All <strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Chico</strong><br />
All Media<br />
# # #<br />
ParkGate_Services_HourChanges 07-03-13 rm_1.doc July 5, 2013<br />
<strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Chico</strong> - Parks Division Page 2