The Bidwell Park and Playgrounds Commission voted to move forward with designs for interpretive plaques for the granite pillars at the North and South 1‑Mile entrances, approving a motion to begin the drafting process and return final text for commission review.

The proposal was presented by Kathleen Gabriel of the Chico Heritage Association, who described the pillars’ local history and offered that her group would pay for the plaques and collaborate on installation. Gabriel told commissioners that the pillars “were installed in 1934” and noted the formal dedication took place on June 6, 1951. She said the association keeps a short text for plaques (about 150 words) and will provide sources and a bibliography when it returns with draft language.

During public comment Paul Libram, speaking for the Chico Heritage Association, raised a related maintenance concern about the decorative lighting at the pillars, saying, “They don’t work at this point. They’re not on,” and offering the association’s help to refurbish the fixtures.

Park staff and commissioners discussed how plaques would be attached. Gabriel and commissioners said they prefer not to alter the park’s historic appearance; one commissioner suggested placing plaques on the backside of pillars or using standard freestanding interpretive panels so the granite is not damaged. Park staff said they would work with the Heritage Association and recommended consulting a stonemason to confirm safe attachment methods.

Commissioners asked that drafts come back to the commission for review before any plaque is installed. The motion approved by the commission included an explicit understanding that proposed plaque text would return for final review and that the Heritage Association would comment on the placement approach (on‑pillar vs. freestanding). The motion passed with all members present voting yes (Commissioners Nava, Nichols, Paiva, Thomas Petty, Vice Chair Blachley and Chair Willis; Commissioner Shears was absent).

Next steps are for the Heritage Association and park staff to produce draft plaque text with sources and recommended attachment options, consult a stonemason as requested by commissioners, and return the proposal to the commission for final approval.