Upper Park users speak up

On Monday evening (July 30), city officials discussed results of a survey regarding usage of Upper Bidwell Park during a meeting of the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission. The goals of the survey were to gauge public support for the park as well as implementation of fees, while also determining what improvements frequent users would like to see. The Upper Park Road Survey Final Report can be found on the city website (chico.ca.us) by clicking “minutes and agendas” and finding the BPPC. Here are some of the key findings.

• About 80 percent of respondents use the park weekly or monthly.

• The majority of survey respondents were educated, employed and do not have children.

• Most park users who support vehicle access to remote areas would use said access for hiking (90 percent), swimming (57 percent) or viewing wildlife (54 percent).

• The majority of respondents support a modest fee—either as a daily ($1-$2) or annual ($10-$20) parking pass—though requests were made for waivers to be offered to seniors and low-income residents.

• Among the most common requests were trail improvement, permanent bathrooms and vehicle access to remote areas.