Commission recommends city council allow alcohol service at Chico Creek Nature Center; motion forwarded unanimously

The Bidwell Park and Playgrounds Commission voted on April 27 to recommend that the City Council amend the municipal code and CARD’s lease to permit alcohol service and consumption at the Chico Creek Nature Center for rentals and events.

Holly Trobny, administrative director at the Chico Area Recreation District (CARD), told the commission CARD operates two wedding venues and averages roughly 50 weddings a year across its properties. “We currently have weddings at the Chico Creek Nature Center…we think that if this were to be adopted that we could provide more opportunity to our community to get married in Bidwell Park,” Trobny said.

Staff told commissioners the commission’s action is a recommendation to council and that a lease amendment and a municipal‑code change would be required. Commissioners pressed CARD and staff on operational details: whether the city would receive additional revenue (staff said no under the current lease), how event security and crowd control would be managed, maximum guest counts and how the ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) licensing process would work.

CARD said renters must obtain the appropriate ABC license and event insurance and that licensed bartenders and private security are required for events where alcohol is served. “We require the renters to get their ABC license…as well as event insurance for the day,” Trobny said. CARD also said it uses private security and is experienced managing turnovers at other venues.

Several commissioners raised historical concerns about alcohol in the park—citing Annie Bidwell’s teetotaling and past deed restrictions—and called for sensitivity to park traditions. One commissioner noted that alcohol previously was allowed at some park venues and that a prior clause had been deleted in 1948; staff observed that a 1993 code change later prohibited alcohol in parts of the park and that a municipal code amendment would be needed for this site.

Procedurally, Commissioner [mover] moved to recommend the ordinance and lease amendment and another commissioner seconded. The commission then recorded the votes: Commissioner Nava — yes; Commissioner Nichols — aye; Commissioner Paiva — yes; Commissioner Thomas Petty — yes; Vice Chair Blachley — yes; Chair Willis — yes. The commission instructed staff to forward the recommendation to the City Council for its consideration.

Next steps: the recommendation will be transmitted to City Council; any change requires council action, lease amendment and compliance with ABC licensing and insurance requirements before alcohol could be served at the nature center.

(At the commission meeting, CARD was asked about capacity, parking and cleanup during summer programming; CARD said they use licensed bartenders, event insurance, private security, and that capacity will follow fire‑marshal limits.)