Upper Park road rehab

Chico’s Public Works Department is hoping to tackle some major roadway rehabilitation improvements for Upper Bidwell Park.

It has applied for a grant of nearly $1 million to repair erosion damage along the entire roadway and surrounding trails, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and administered by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Tuesday night (March 5), the City Council unanimously approved vehicle access between Horseshoe Lake and Salmon Hole, along with the associated road improvements. The council also directed city staff to offer a 29 percent match (25 percent is required), leveraging $250,000 from the public works capital budget and about $40,000 in labor.

A discussion about vehicle access past Salmon Hole, as well as possible daily and annual parking fees, will return to the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission.