Term
| When was the dam at One-Mile Rec Area built? |
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Definition
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Term
| Why isn't the group picnic area closer to Sycamore Pool? |
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Definition
| In order to keep unattended kids away from the water, and trash as well. |
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Term
| Does the City of Chico contract out trash collection in the park? |
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Definition
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Term
| Who sponsors the annual/semiannual park cleanup? |
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Definition
| Butte Environmental Counsel |
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Term
| Who is in charge of administering most of Bidwell Park? |
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Definition
| City of Chico Parks Department |
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Term
| Does the City of Chico Parks Dept manage the Sycamore Field baseball diamond? |
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Definition
| No, it is leased by CARD, who manages REC activities, while Parks takes care of the natural setting. |
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Term
| How is Bidwell Park financed? |
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Definition
| Through general funds (property taxes) by residents of Chico. Chico area pays a fund for CARD. |
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Term
| Who created the Master Plan for Bidwell Park? |
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Definition
| Nancy Hardesty and Menlo Park Representatives |
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Term
| What were the major goals and objectives of the Bidwell Park Master Plan? |
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Definition
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Term
| Can a spectator legally drink a beer while watching a baseball game at the 1-mile baseball diamond? |
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Definition
| No,no alcohol at any of the parks. |
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Term
| At caper acres, you aren't allowed in the site unless accompanied by a child under 13 years old. What other regulations/restrictions apply to this site? |
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Definition
| No smoking, no dogs, no alcohol, no bicycles, glass, alcohol, BBQ Grills. |
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Term
| When is caper acres open? Are these hours appropriate considering the intended audience? |
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Definition
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Term
| What do you think about this site's design, considering its users must be under 13 years of age? |
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Definition
| It was appropriate for the age group. Mote, castle theme, bricks, low clearance. |
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Term
| Find the Campfire Council Ring to the east of Campsite 0. What types of recreation activities do you think this site is adapted for? |
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Definition
| Group activities. Poor design though, didn't allow your voice to be projected unless you stand far back. The fire ring is also placed underneath a big tree....bad idea. |
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Term
| Can you spot any non-native vegetation around the group site? What is the mix of native and introduced vegetation in the Park? |
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Definition
| 90% natives. Norway maple, river birch, atlantis weed trees, Ivy, blackberry, grapes, olive trees, chinese pistachios. |
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Term
| What species of wildlife live in the park? |
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Definition
| Mule deer, bobcat, mountain lion, rattlesnake, hawks, turkey vultures, wild turkeys, mourning dove, great blue heron, rainbow trout, ringtail cat, mallard duck, mallard duck, ca kingsnake, tree frogs, american crow. |
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Term
| Do you think it is a good idea to place the picnic table at site #1 so close to the stream bank? |
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Definition
| No, but the table was originally much farther away prior to erosion. |
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Term
| Notice the erosion on the stream bank next to the picnic table at site #1. Should this erosion be stopped? If so, what do you think could be done to stop this erosion? |
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Definition
| Maybe, to prevent more damage yes. You could use wire baskets full of rocks (gabions) and eventually the creek dirt would settle and plants will root, providing a strong embankment. |
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Term
| What agency would the City of Chico have to get approval from before going ahead with plans to alter the stream bank to prevent erosion |
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Definition
| CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife |
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Term
| What is wrong with the placement of the identifying sign for site #1. |
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Definition
| Its on the wrong side of the path, past the actual site. |
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Term
| What agency is responsible for fire suppression in the Park? |
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Definition
| 1) City of Chico fire Dept. but shared response w/the CDF. |
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Term
| How quiet is it near site #1. Notice the change in noise as you head east toward the freeway. |
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Definition
| The freeway noise is awful and I think takes away from the experience. |
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Term
| Follow the bike path until it is under the freeway. Notice the foot bridge that crosses he creek at this site. How many foot bridges cross the creek within Bidwell Park. Are there any disadvantages of building more foot bridges? |
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Definition
| I counted 7, including at 1 mile. I think there are a perfect mount of bridges; any more would take away from the natural environment. |
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Term
| Stay on the bike path as it passes under the freeway and eventually crosses the paved road. Why do you think the designers of the path had it cross the road here? Is this a safe design? |
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Definition
| 90 degree angle, not very safe. |
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Term
| Stay on the bike path as it passes under the freeway and eventually crosses the paved road. Why do you think the designers of the path had it cross the road here? Is this a safe design? |
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Definition
| 90 degree angle, not very safe. |
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Term
| Can you legally tube down the creek? Can you raft it in a rubber raft? Can you canoe or kayak the creek? |
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Definition
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Term
| Notice the homes adjacent to the park. Although it must be great to have the park as a backyard, what types of problems do you think could arise from living so close to the park? |
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Definition
| I would think that privacy, transients, debri, and wildlife problems could arise from living so close to the park. |
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Term
| Is the Cedar Grove group picnic area well designed for use by large groups? |
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Definition
| Yes, the tables have a good semi-circle set up that can accommodate larger groups. They have a grill and lighting as well for gatherings. |
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Term
| World of trees trail. In 1888, General John Bidwell donated this area to the State of California so it could be used for what purpose? What state agency received the land? |
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Definition
| State of CA for a Forestry station. This land was to test trees from around the world to see which would be suitable for planting throughout NorCal. |
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Term
| In 1921, the City of Chico purchased the world of trees area as an addition of land to Bidwell Park. Who owned the land before the City purchased it? Where did the money come from for purchasing the land? |
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Definition
| The University of California regents owned the land before the City purchased it. It cost $1,500, $100 each from each of the local businesses and private individuals. |
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Term
| What is special about the coulter pinecone? |
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Definition
| It is known as the widowmaker and is the largest cone of any pine. |
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Term
| What trees are known as "the trees of the dead?" |
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Definition
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Term
| How much use do you predict this trail receives? |
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Definition
| Very little because it's hidden. |
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Term
| How was funding obtained to build the new nature center? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the major purposes of the nature center? |
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Definition
| Education - information center for the park. |
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Term
| What services does the nature center offer? |
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Definition
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Term
| How is the nature center funded for its day-to-day operations? |
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Definition
| Funding from the City of Chico. |
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Term
| Can you get general information on bidwell Park from the nature center? |
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Definition
| Yes. All information including maps. |
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Term
| Was there ever a zoo at the nature center? |
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Definition
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Term
| Why are there deer inside the deer pen (why are they put here?) Do they belong to the nature center? Are the deer ever released back into the wild? |
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Definition
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Term
| What species of fish do you think live in the creek? Do you think they are "game" or "nongame" fish? Who would you contact to find out the species of fish that are most common in Big Chico Creek? |
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Definition
| Spring run salmon and king salmon. USFWS or the nature center. |
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Term
| What do you think about the cementing of the side of the creek to create a swimming area? If you were in charge of this site and the cementing hadn't already been done, would you recommend that the creek be cemented in order to create the swimming pool? |
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Definition
| Yes, I would have cemented it. It provides a wonderful recreation area where the community can gather and swim in the hot summers. |
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Term
| What is the purpose of Lindo Channel (the large, dry creek bed/channel that forks to the right off of Big Chico Creek at the 5-Mile recreation area)? |
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Definition
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Term
| The first bath house in Bidwell Park was built here in 1922.It had toilets and showers. Are such facilities still available at 5-Mile? |
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Definition
| Toilets - yes. Showers - no. |
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Term
| Go into one of the restrooms. How would you rate it with respect o cleanliness? Do you think its cleanliness affects visitor's experiences in any way? |
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Definition
| Yes. It's very clean. It definitely affects visitors and whether they will pick up after themselves and whether they feel comfortable using the facilities. |
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Term
| Do you think it is a good idea to have this concession at this site that sells sodas, ice cream, and so on? Could it create any problems? |
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Definition
| Yes having concessions could cause problems with trash. |
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Term
| Are there any signs (indicators) that vistors have been allowed to exceed the carrying capacity of the 5-mile recreation area? If yes, what evidence is there? |
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Definition
| Yes. One example is that there are trails made that weren't planned or supposed to be where they are. |
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Term
| Who polices the Park and enforces the rules? Are there any park rangers? If so,how many? Are they permanent/temporary/part time employees? |
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Definition
| City Police/rangers. There are 2 permanent rangers and 1 temp. |
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Term
| What user group do you think is most likely to litter at the north side parking lot for 5-mile rec area? |
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Definition
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Term
| Is there anything being done by the City of Chico to educate people about the problems of litter and vandalism in Bidwell Park. |
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Definition
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Term
| Look for evidence of off-road vehicle use along the roadside leading to the golf course (on the north side of the road). Does it look like the use was appropriate or inappropriate? What has the Parks Department done to prevent off-road vehicle use? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the speed limit on the paved section of road in Upper Park (between Manzanita Ave and the golf course)? Based on your observations, do most drivers observe the posted speed limit? |
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Definition
| The speed limit is 25, and no it's not usually observed. |
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Term
| The golf course was officially opened in 1921. Who currently operates the course? The City? A private Club? A non-profit group? |
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Definition
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Term
| Are memberships available for the club? If yes, what do they cost? |
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Definition
| Yes. $1,050 w/restrictions; $1,300 w/no restrictions. |
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Term
| Almost $100,000 of damage due to vandalism was alleged by managers of the golf course at one time in the past. What was the main source of this vandalism? |
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Definition
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Term
| When golf courses are placed next to creeks, a pollution problem sometimes arises. What is the nature of this problem? |
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Definition
| Balls in the creek, as well as the germicides, herbicides and pesticides. |
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Term
| What other golf courses in the Chico vicinity compete with the Bidwell Park Golf Course? |
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Definition
| Tuscan Ridge, Canyon Oaks, Butte Creek. |
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