Council directs staff to work with CARD on potential park-operating partnership; will seek commission input

Chico City Council voted unanimously to direct city staff to engage with the Chico Area Recreation and Park District (CARD) to develop options for CARD to operate selected city parks. The council asked staff to return with proposals, sequencing, cost estimates and capacity considerations and recommended that the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission weigh in during the process.

Councilmember O'Brien framed the item as a long-standing conversation about strengthening recreation focus in city parks and requested a formal staff-CARD process that would bring options to both governing boards. City Manager Mark Swinson and CARD Director (Annabelle, last name not provided in the transcript) both said the agencies have a longstanding cooperative relationship and that CARD is willing to participate in structured discussions.

Staff and council discussed starting with a limited set of parks for evaluation—City Plaza, Depot Park, Comanche Creek and Tigard were mentioned as initial candidates—and acknowledged each park's operations and capital needs vary (for example, stormwater functions and master plans). Councilmembers said the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission should be given an opportunity to review initial proposals and provide recommendations.

The motion to direct staff to work with CARD and return with options, including commission review, passed 7-0. Councilmembers stressed the process should identify costs, sequencing and what recreation opportunities could look like for each site.