[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6664120,"mediaKeyId","2385947-5a184e69a60dfd683c7294c7ee9fc276","parentId",2385947,"title","Parks staff report: volunteers removed 403 tons of trash in 2024; tree crews finish fire removals, planting program continues","audioSeconds",1655,"startMs",4290000,"endMs",5945000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2385947-5a184e69a60dfd683c7294c7ee9fc276&start=4290&end=5945","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2385947-5a184e69a60dfd683c7294c7ee9fc276/thumbnail_4290000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6664120/Chico/Butte-County/California/Parks-staff-report-volunteers-removed-403-tons-of-trash-in-2024-tree-crews-finish-fire-removals-planting-program-continues","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664120-43907a120e39bbd8c06772a91a607f7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618589&Signature=Y5c8jHVFFzw1wc040MQ3eOER6~9TSniCf6J5Ht0zAOydyCfYr2ITrGfzlVOnWgabnwHimpS6ne0S6dhYXnmQohJGxYnHBCgUsqwZnJF~6HSTMv7TF2MP97~O4JqSmkW70Djj5PEiZyJoeb3rkbeyxZyWuDXJQQC0mIqJirGuVIWPOB1bneDSz3D5xXOE6woT7cyojs0U~4kg4qsqBUTuKOTxC-w5sfWfCFm0Y-8fblfM4mxjrd~Wb2Z4Q9M57trKhFWC1fLLhbfrcMDZh6e7KOEpMkcheouHg1lfmmyYUXrYs8cmQgQ4KGDyd~HEXTnTTVyLnSQuZpTj23bF4BMyeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Chico","date","2025-02-24T18:00:00Z","article","City parks staff gave updates on volunteer activity, park-ranger enforcement and street-tree work at the March 3 Parks Commission meeting.

Shane Romain, Parks Division, reported that volunteers contributed 19,092 hours in 2024 across city parks and greenways, which the department estimated as roughly $740,000 in contributed labor. Staff also reported removing 403 tons of trash from city properties and parks last year. Romain said park rangers responded to 80 calls for service in January, made no citations that month and were involved in eight arrests; the department expects a third park ranger to complete field training in mid-May if no extensions are required.

Romain and staff also discussed donations to Caper Acres (the children’s play area): the department reported receiving a $50,000 donation toward rehabilitation of Caper Acres, a separate $10,000 contribution from the Discovery Shop for fence construction, and a $100,000 anonymous gift toward fence work. Parks staff said those funds are earmarked for the renovation project.

Street Tree Division staff reported on post-fire work: contractor Firestorm and city crews completed a removal project that eliminated 125 trees most impacted by the Park Fire. The division said it is taking a conservative approach to removals—removing trees that are unlikely to survive while monitoring others for recovery—and that additional removals may be needed as assessment continues. The division is also carrying out a grant-funded tree-planting program tied to a CAL FIRE grant aimed at planting up to 1,000 trees; staff reported about 930 trees planted to date and said the team will make a final planting push before the grant ends in March.

Street Tree staff described other planned work including larger removals and replanting along Park Avenue ahead of a Caltrans-funded bike-trail project, and upcoming end-weight reduction pruning along Peterson Drive tied to safety and reconstruction work. Staff also described a pilot fruit-tree gleaning with Chico State climate-action ambassadors that collected roughly 200 pounds of fruit for the Wildcat Food Pantry.

Commissioners asked how trash figures account for encampment impacts; staff said community cleanups include debris from encampment enforcement and that trash tonnages have fallen as encampments have been reduced in some park areas. No formal actions were taken; the item was a verbal report.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Chico - Bidwell Park & Playground Commission - Feb 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Parks and Street Tree Division staff reported volunteer hours, park ranger activity, donations for Caper Acres, and completion of a round of fire‑related tree removals; staff described continued tree-planting grants and forthcoming street and park tree projects.","taxTitle","Chico, Butte County, California","taxId",4124,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6664127,"Parks Commission swears in three new members; elects Willis as chair, Blatchley as vice chair",264,44000,308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2385947-5a184e69a60dfd683c7294c7ee9fc276&start=44&end=308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2385947-5a184e69a60dfd683c7294c7ee9fc276/thumbnail_44000.jpg","/articles/6664127/Chico/Butte-County/California/Parks-Commission-swears-in-three-new-members-elects-Willis-as-chair-Blatchley-as-vice-chair","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664127-9edae752a6dc363c22333787ad72ee4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618589&Signature=P8jVfOgVErAAL4SeGNQZATRUtEu1f6xYuGnN2-QDnjs058d5C-a8uotXHK~q8bLCcm3TcGVYNrwca0GO2WXE9EyZGqjJOz307C3KBUfCa~KqAI9RyWixOk~BfEzUtFVXfP5FzfvgAqlouetrApxARZFENj7jnsEApX3RglfWt0ME2kqsMR9CIN3ucQgf-mnbjfU5aenbXVNH5F9rTJ2BKDABmZskCXPrTMz31CyoPJRH7kWmQpPLZApBKhKEYMhMJybIT5Yj0FuZL0t9GB5wGPM9oUFhqFGhpo6GLPRyU8BnWjWduLLuff-BDZigg0UgEH8QLX~uGQU4YKm5glCY6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Chico Parks, Well and Playground Commission on March 3 swore in three newly appointed commissioners and completed organizational business for the year, including selecting a chair and vice chair and approving minutes from the Dec. 16, 2024 meeting.

City Clerk Debbie Preston administered the oath of office to three new commissioners at the start of the meeting. The newly sworn commissioners were not named in the public portion of the record; the clerk welcomed them and thanked them for their service.

The commission then opened nominations for chair. The commission recorded the roll-call confirmation that Commissioner Willis will serve as chair; roll-call votes were recorded as approving (Commissioner Blatchley, Paiva, Nava, Nichols, Thomas Petty and Willis recorded as voting in favor in the roll call exchange). The commission subsequently confirmed Commissioner Blatchley as vice chair by roll call.

The commission also approved the minutes of the Dec. 16, 2024 meeting by unanimous roll-call vote; the chair announced the motion passed unanimously.

No substantive policy decisions were taken under the organizational items; the actions were ministerial to establish leadership and adopt prior minutes.","At its March 3 meeting the Parks, Well and Playground Commission sworn in three new members and elected Commissioner Willis as chair and Commissioner Blatchley as vice chair; the commission also approved December 16, 2024 minutes unanimously.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6664132,"Council to consider weekend closures at South Park Drive and Peterson Drive after park safety concerns",440,4510000,4950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2385947-5a184e69a60dfd683c7294c7ee9fc276&start=4510&end=4950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2385947-5a184e69a60dfd683c7294c7ee9fc276/thumbnail_4510000.jpg","/articles/6664132/Chico/Butte-County/California/Council-to-consider-weekend-closures-at-South-Park-Drive-and-Peterson-Drive-after-park-safety-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664132-e3a694f0aa9fe05e4e85a3d09284e2b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618589&Signature=hAEDe4RnOBE6rPOLEDHAh6~UzugS~gaH-Y84-21R3cMXoDCJXnspYmQU9GIVhCvCSjF48SmdlgFbiwbN9WkifMuFd8b5~O~XlOUMZyUuZuF7~Iz8ODZ3aQkcLDG0HQ1mxcY31c7DpwOXzB5221gzHd5qW3yVm2W5SNsj-5Jb3G8ozf09DFae5U0PVAc6rCfCtuV~vlg4-9u-4jy85LtpqjmXkP5VERWPDAjLOdyCWRMbCTlNC4qjGYlpu9TplXd3s2Hjd68SToI1TEF4kptVlA1CXNOBrWeAQmn2tQESkbkFHfy4iQnOXprrK~aoUVcqmsj6mmO-J8Hp2wMNQVf~VQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Parks, Well and Playground Commission on March 3 that the City Council will consider a proposal at its March 4 meeting to close portions of South Park Drive and Peterson Memorial Drive to vehicular traffic on weekends and national holidays as part of a trial intended to reduce vehicle congestion and improve park user safety.

Shane Romain, Parks staff, explained that the idea grew from the Headway Transportation Circulation Report and earlier commission work on circulation and multimodal access. Council directed staff to bring back specific closure options; staff said they will present three alternatives on March 4: closing South Park Drive from after Caper Acres through Centennial, closing Peterson Memorial Drive on weekends and national holidays, or keeping South Park Drive open to the Cypress entrance through Caper Acres while engineering develops a design that would allow a permanent closure without triggering an environmental review.

Staff told commissioners the proposed closures would be limited to weekends and national holidays initially, and that council asked staff to return with a condition report after a six-month trial before any reconstruction of South Park Drive. \"Council wants that before we start reconstruction of South Park Drive likely in July of this summer,\" staff said.

Public comment at the meeting emphasized safety concerns related to park encampments and urged faster action. Tom Van Overbeck, a Chico City Council member (District 6), told the commission that his priorities for the park include removing campers from the park and vegetation management to reduce fire risk. \"We're not gonna be successful unless my 12 year old grandson can go ride his bike and I don't have to worry about him being accosted,\" Van Overbeck said, urging closer coordination between council and the commission.

Commissioner and public questions focused on practical access for park users, the locations of proposed access points for parking and egress, and the treatment of picnic sites. Staff said Peterson Memorial Drive currently provides access to more picnic sites and that engineering will analyze whether access points at Caper Acres and Sycamore Field should be reconfigured to align with roadway intersections and pedestrian crossings.

Several commissioners also raised concerns about access for older adults and people with disabilities if road closures reduce convenient vehicular access. Staff said that engineering's design work could include additional ADA-accessible parking and turnout pockets on adjacent streets.

No formal commission vote was taken; staff framed the item as information and said the council would act on March 4.","City staff told the Parks Commission that city council will consider closing sections of South Park Drive and Peterson Memorial Drive to vehicular traffic on weekends and national holidays while monitoring impacts during a six-month trial; public commenters urged faster action to remove encampments.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6664136,"Engineers: Park Fire burn scar magnified creek flows; city and county eye sediment work",985,2470000,3455000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2385947-5a184e69a60dfd683c7294c7ee9fc276&start=2470&end=3455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2385947-5a184e69a60dfd683c7294c7ee9fc276/thumbnail_2470000.jpg","/articles/6664136/Chico/Butte-County/California/Engineers-Park-Fire-burn-scar-magnified-creek-flows-city-and-county-eye-sediment-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664136-368548256508acab54a392110198688a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618589&Signature=gYb051HFlpiSZM4MOZnDZpRQNTCA3ODXMwBDzkuXZpSL5qtdmnxh2bcDUBOz-YkGhDCETsGPpPQolI1DFmsu8OUYF8qffkRaU22xaUTrJq3NtLwMTz52Oj6XA0LA19BjQ7~tRvUmFprFxcB-~1K6v-XhvYwdy0dpGpgmZ-mOGGOqTNj5uB-YYnapTU7755IFZ3m3MohxVxGpNMwuOJOJXga7L2L9hPc7NRM~xf1XJOZcOuplfDW8zekAnTxgM3HB2lFdggweWGJJPwTXYp0~Nylag9X6-7jBm59GLivpebaD~uBaZvNdH-fuM4HgDokAVKy~FGikpEmhJWVbe2nPDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Chico Public Works engineers presented data on March 3 showing that the July 2024 Park Fire burn scar in the Big Chico Creek watershed magnified runoff during winter storms, producing flow peaks well above pre-fire expectations.

“The burn scar will magnify runoff from a rain event,” David Keane, Public Works Engineering Department, told the Parks, Well and Playground Commission. Keane and staff summarized state and federal modeling, local gauge records and aerial observations that together showed measured peak flows that exceeded standard design assumptions for the diversion system that protects Chico.

Keane described how the watershed funnels to the Five-Mile diversion, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project maintained locally by Butte County. Design capacities cited in the presentation were about 1,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) for flows routed down Big Chico Creek and 6,000 cfs for Lindo Channel, with the remainder routed through the Sycamore Bypass. After the fires, California emergency watershed analysis (the WERT report produced by CAL FIRE and the Department of Conservation) found typical post-fire “flow multipliers” of roughly 1.7–1.8, meaning runoff after a given storm can be about 70–80% higher than before the fire.

Keane said the city observed that a November storm forecast as a 2-year 24-hour event produced roughly a 10-year flow at the Big Chico Creek gauge, and a February atmospheric-river event produced flows the team described as in the 5- to 50-year range. Measured peaks cited in the presentation included roughly 7,147 cfs during one November peak and about 10,500 cfs during the February event. The higher-than-expected peaks, Keane said, were due in part to back-to-back storms and to the burn scar effects not fully captured in some forecasts.

The presentation stressed two operational complications: heavy loads of ash and woody debris arriving in channels, and significant sediment accumulation behind the Five-Mile diversion structure. Keane said those deposits alter how water behaves compared with the original design drawings and make real-time gate operation more difficult during storms because debris can jam gates. He said Butte County, as the local maintaining agency, opened gates broadly during the storms to manage systemwide flood risk and that the county is scoping a sediment-removal project.

Public Works and city staff called for more and better hydrologic data. Keane noted limited rain gauges in the upper watershed and recommended additional stream gauging at Big Chico Creek; Butte County and the Vineland Groundwater Sustainability Agency are pursuing a gauge project, he said. Staff also said updated modeling will be needed after any sediment removal to quantify actual flows and refine operational decisions.

Commissioners and staff asked questions about historical fire frequency, the potential for channel migration, and how channel vegetation and sediment affect overbanking and private properties. Keane and other staff said vegetation regrowth should reduce the multiplier effect over several years and that event-driven assessments by the Department of Water Resources and other agencies will be used to decide any maintenance triggers.

Keane concluded that the WERT modeling proved useful and that interagency coordination with the National Weather Service, Department of Water Resources, Butte County and federal partners was critical to improving forecasts and operational responses.

The commission did not take formal action on the presentation; staff said the information would inform future work with county and state partners on sediment removal, improved gauges and revised modeling to guide flood operations.","Public Works engineers told the Parks Commission that the 2024 Park Fire scar increased runoff across the Big Chico Creek watershed, producing creek flows far above pre-fire forecasts and prompting renewed focus on sediment removal and additional stream gauges.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parks staff report: volunteers removed 403 tons of trash in 2024; tree crews finish fire removals, planting program continues

Parks Commission swears in three new members; elects Willis as chair, Blatchley as vice chair

Council to consider weekend closures at South Park Drive and Peterson Drive after park safety concerns

Engineers: Park Fire burn scar magnified creek flows; city and county eye sediment work