Commission approves five-year lease renewal for Chico Equestrian Association at Bidwell Park

The Bidwell Park and Playground Commission voted Nov. 18 to renew the five-year lease of the Horse Arena in Bidwell Park to the Chico Equestrian Association.

Linda Herman, the citypark and natural resources manager, told the commission the proposed renewal largely mirrors the current lease, which staff believes has been in effect since at least 1991. The chief change is operational: the gate to the arena will remain locked, and the association agreed to allow public access when requested rather than maintaining scheduled public hours. "It's the same terms as before," Herman said, adding the association will let members of the public in and that bicyclists and hikers can use access points.

Denny Whiting, president of the Chico Equestrian Association, described the group's outreach efforts and community value. "We have carrots, and we let the kids, you know, we teach them how to feed a horse," Whiting said, and added the gated arrangement has reduced vandalism. He said the association has "about a hun almost 200 members," and clarified horses are not stalled on-site: "We don't stall our horses there. That's never been allowed under this lease."

A commissioner moved to approve the renewal and the motion passed by voice vote with aye votes recorded from the present commissioners and Chair Thomas Petty. The commission took no additional amendment to lease terms.

The approval maintains the arena's availability for equestrian activities and continued access for visitors on request; staff said the renewal was brought forward now to complete paperwork before the current agreement expires on Dec. 31.