The Bidwell Park and Playgrounds Commission conditionally approved a permit for a community concert series at Children's Park proposed by Ryan Sanders of the nonprofit Sound Source. Commissioners required that organizers notify and consult with nearby neighbors, including Chico State, and follow standard reservation conditions.

Ryan Sanders described a two‑leg season: a spring run in May and a fall run in September. Sanders said the proposed first concert is the “first Saturday in May” and that the series would consist of weekly Saturday evening shows with two acts, each program lasting roughly two and a half hours. He said partner organizations include Maker Radio, which would record and rebroadcast the shows, and that the Levitt Foundation has been approached as a multi‑year grant source; Sanders said the grant process placed the project high in a national ranking but a final decision is expected in mid‑November.

Sanders told the commission details of logistics: a mobile stage placed on the park pad, two portable restrooms on site initially, sponsor booths around the park perimeter and a small crew for technical, community, safety and sponsor coordination. Sanders said organizers and staff decided not to include food trucks at this time because of irrigation and lawn saturation concerns, and he said organizers will iterate staffing and facilities (including porta‑potty counts) after early events.

Commissioners raised safety and neighborhood coordination questions. One commissioner requested the applicant consult Chico State Police (Chief Nicodemus was named) and campus representatives, and another asked for a plan to address creek safety given the park’s adjacency to Big Chico Creek. Park staff said applicants are expected to be “good neighbors” and that notification to nearby property owners and relevant campus departments is appropriate. The commission noted the reservations carry standard conditions and that staff could cancel or not continue the series if public safety or significant problems occur.

The commission approved the conditional permit, with the motion including an expectation that organizers consult with Chico State and notify nearby neighbors. The vote was unanimous among members present (Commissioners Nava, Nichols, Paiva, Thomas Petty, Vice Chair Blachley and Chair Willis; Commissioner Shears absent).

Next steps are for the organizer to complete required reservation conditions, coordinate with Chico State and downtown business representatives, finalize logistics for portables and safety staffing, and proceed with fundraising and grant follow‑up.