Red Bluff details park cleanup, burn plan and new enforcement staff as restoration continues

City staff updated the Red Bluff City Council on Oct. 21 about ongoing cleanup and vegetation-management work at Dog Island Park and Fort Worth Park, reporting intermittent closures when crews are present and new steps to reduce illegal camping and debris in the parks.

Keith Buckman and public works staff said the city has been using hand crews from a CAL FIRE conservation camp and received equipment support including a skid steer. Buckman described the schedule as tentative because crew availability varies: "They might be here 1 day. They might not be here. So, every morning we're kind of tentatively closing the park. And then when we know we have the crew, it stays close until they're done because we can't have the general public interacting with them." City staff said they submitted a burn plan to the air-quality agency and have approval from the Bureau of Reclamation for burning and that the Department of Fish and Wildlife signed off on remediation near Drury Creek.

Staff also described work at Monroe Roadside inside Fort Worth Park, including fabrication of a perimeter fence to limit vehicle access and reduce illicit camping. The city said crews increased cutting-and-stacking to create burn piles when conditions allow.

On public safety and staffing, the council heard introductions of Park Enforcement Officer Gary Hensel and Community Service Officer Cynthia Mendoza, a newly hired part-time community services worker who will assist with graffiti removal and downtown cleanup, and Sergeant Jared Hebert, who is completing training and expected to begin solo duties. Police/parks staff said those hires are intended to improve enforcement presence and upkeep in parks and the business district.

Officials asked for continued public patience during intermittent closures and thanked volunteer groups and partner agencies for support.