Make it your park

Chico Park Division’s Volunteer Program

The Park Division provides several volunteer opportunities: Park Watch, weeding, oak regeneration sites, litter control, painting, trail maintenance and the Adopt-a-Site program. Contact volunteer coordinator Lise Smith-Peters for info: lspeters@ci.chico.ca.us or 896-7831.

Invasive plant removal

Friends of Bidwell Park coordinates its own volunteers, largely via weekly invasive-reduction efforts. Get your gloves, closed-toe shoes and water ready and check out the group’s calendar at www.friendsofbidwellpark.org for the next workday.

Chico Creek Nature Center

Volunteer docents, animal care-taker assistants and weeding in native-plant garden. Visit www.bidwellpark.org or call 891-4671 for more info.

Others working in the park

Big Chico Creek Watershed Alliance: www.bigchicocreek.org

Chico Cat Coalition: www.chicocatcoalition.org or 894-1365 and catcoalition@hotmail.com

Kids and Creeks: www.kidsandcreeks.org

Streaminders: www.streaminders.org

The Stream Team: www.thestreamteam.org or call 342-6620

Give money

Donations to the city can be earmarked for Bidwell Park or for specific projects (like upgrading Caper Acres playground). Call the Park Division for details, 896-7800.

Go to a park meeting

The Bidwell Park and Playground Commission meets at 6:30 pm. the last Monday of the month in Chico City Council chambers, 421 Main St. Meetings are open to the public and agendas are posted online at www.chico.ca.us (click on “Meetings & Agendas”).