Park commission approves permits for mountain-bike race, roller-skate relay and school forest program; minutes approved with abstentions

The City of Chico Park and Natural Resources Commission approved the meeting minutes and granted multiple permits on consent and after brief discussion, including a three-year permit for the Bidwell Bump mountain-bike race and one-day and recurring events in Bidwell Park.

Commissioners recorded votes on four formal actions: approval of the minutes from the prior meeting; a multi-year permit for the Bidwell Bump Mountain Bike Race; a permit for a roller-skate relay on Peterson Drive from NorCal Roller Derby; and a recurring school program permit for Wildflower Open Classroom at the 5 Mile East Picnic Area.

The minutes were approved on a roll call vote that produced three yes votes and three abstentions. Commissioner Nava, Commissioner Nichols and Chair Willis voted yes; Commissioners Paiva, Thomas Petty and Vice Chair Blachley recorded abstentions.

The commission approved a three-year permit for the Bidwell Bump Mountain Bike Race, with staff recommending approval through August 2028 after commissioners asked for clarification about the effective dates. The motion to approve the ride was made by Commissioner Paiva and seconded by Commissioner Nichols; the roll call vote was 6-0 in favor (Nava, Nichols, Paiva, Thomas Petty, Blachley and Willis).

The commission approved a permit for a roller-skate relay on Peterson Drive proposed by NorCal Roller Derby. The event organizer told commissioners the relay would be a non-contact fundraising relay on a two-mile stretch of Peterson Drive, would run with markedly lower speeds than a bicycle, would require full protective gear and would be limited to insured team members rather than open public participation. Commissioners asked about course delineation, spectator areas and safety procedures such as chalk lines, cones, stationed volunteers at half-mile markers and an escort cyclist; the organizer said volunteers and markings would be used. The motion to approve the permit passed on a 6-0 roll call (Nava, Nichols, Paiva, Thomas Petty, Blachley and Willis).

The commission also approved a recurring reservation request from Wildflower Open Classroom for the 5 Mile East Picnic Area to run forest-day programs for kindergarten through fourth-grade classes from September through April. Commissioners discussed whether the application should list grades rather than ages; staff confirmed the requested reservation covers specific dates and grades as presented. The motion passed with one abstention: Commissioner Paiva abstained; the remaining commissioners voted yes (Nava, Nichols, Thomas Petty, Blachley and Willis).

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes from prior meeting: outcome — approved (Aye: Commissioner Nava, Commissioner Nichols, Chair Willis; Abstain: Commissioner Paiva, Commissioner Thomas Petty, Vice Chair Blachley). Notes: three abstentions noted because several commissioners were absent from the prior meeting. - Bidwell Bump Mountain Bike Race permit (three-year term through August 2028): outcome — approved (6-0). Motion by Commissioner Paiva; second by Commissioner Nichols. Notes: staff clarified the three‑year term covers the 2025, 2026 and 2027 events and will be re-agendized in 2027 for future approval. - Roller-skate relay on Peterson Drive (NorCal Roller Derby): outcome — approved (6-0). Organizer said the event will be non-contact, limited to insured club skaters, run 10 a.m.–noon with setup beginning at 9 a.m., and will use chalk, cones and volunteers to separate skaters from pedestrians and cyclists. - Wildflower Open Classroom: recurring permit for forest-day programs at 5 Mile East Picnic Area (Sept.–Apr., specified dates): outcome — approved (Yes: Nava, Nichols, Thomas Petty, Blachley, Willis; Abstain: Paiva). Notes: staff and commissioners discussed using grade ranges (1–4) rather than age ranges in future applications; commission agreed annual review is appropriate for reservable, exclusive-use locations.

Commissioners and staff emphasized safety and public notification for events that take place in high-use park corridors. For the roller-skate relay, commissioners requested clearly marked lanes, volunteers at key points and advance public notification so pedestrians, cyclists and dog walkers know an event will be in place. For recurring school programs in a reservable picnic area, commissioners discussed limiting exclusive use to preserve open access in other park areas.

Formal actions recorded in the minutes will be available in the city’s official record of the meeting.