Donations & Memorials
The Park Division is frequently contacted by members of the community on how they can give to their parks. Below are some of the ways Chico's parks can benefit from your assistance:
Donations for New Ranger Bikes Needed!
The current Ranger bikes are more than
10 yrs old, very heavy and routinely need maintenance to be usable.The Park Division welcomes funding donations of up to $1,530 to purchase two new Ranger bikes. Bike patrol of our Chico Parks allows the Rangers to travel more areas, including trails, make more visitor assistance calls, enforcement contacts and are very valuable during missing person calls and emergencies. For more information, call 896-7831.
New Benches and Picnic Areas
An application may be made to the General Services Director for the placement of a new park bench and engraved memorial/ recognition plaque in Bidwell Park where one has not previously existed. The current cost of a bench and accompanying plaque is $2,000. Currently, there are three bench installations per year in Bidwell Park and an additional three benches may be installed between the area of Caper Acres and Annie's Glen per year.
Currently, there is a need to replace various picnic tables and barbecues along Petersen Memorial Drive and South Park Drive.
Vita Course Replacement Project in Lower Bidwell Park
We invite the public to purchase and help install new exercise stations to replace the current Vita Course stations. An instructional sign will accompany each new station and will list the donor of the station, if desired. New exercise stations have been purchased by the Chico Police Officers Association (knee lift station) and the Chico Noon Exchange Club (push up station).
Existing Benches, Picnic Areas, and Vita Course Stations
Any person, group, or organization may make an application to the General Services Director for placement of a memorial/ recognition plaque to be affixed to any existing bench in Upper and Lower Park (that has not already been designated) or picnic areas, or any other appropriate facility as approved by Bidwell Park and Playground Commission (BPPC) within the Park. The cost to the applicant for a memorial/dedication/recognition plaque to be added to an existing bench, picnic area, or vita course station is based on the current cost of plaque and installation time. This fee must be paid upon approval. Applicants with completed applications will be placed on a first come, first serve waiting list.
Plaques may also accompany a donation for improvement or upgrading of a picnic area. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 896-7831 for information on the costs associated with these projects or if your organization would like to donate the materials and or labor.
Caper Acres Bricks
The Park Division has an ongoing program through which individuals, groups, or organizations can purchase an engraved brick for installation at the Caper Acres playground. Bricks may have up to 3 lines of engraving with a maximum of 15 characters and spaces per line. The current cost per brick is $100. Funds received are set aside for the upkeep of the playground. To download a brick order form, click Caper Acres brick form.
Doggie Pot & Bags in the Park
Donors are welcome to sponsor a doggie pot and bags for two years for a donation of $1,000. The Park Division will place a small, plexiglass plaque on the front of the doggie pot recognizing the donor.
Other Memorials
Proposals are also accepted on a case by case basis for donations for memorials/ dedications/ recognitions not mentioned above. Those proposals will be reviewed by the BPPC.
For more information on the above memorial/ dedication/recognition items that help support Bidwell Park, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 530-896-7831.
Other Donations & Special Projects
Vegetation Management Crew Program
To help control and remove invasive, non-native plants from Bidwell Park, the Park Division accepts donations to help fund trained work crews. Current cost per day for a work crew is $200.
Equipment, Supplies, and Construction Projects
To assist with volunteer construction projects, the Park Division accepts donations of materials and supplies necessary to complete special projects. The Division also seeks skilled volunteer groups to assist with various construction projects.
DONATIONS needed for equipment and special construction projects* include:
- Large barbecue unit for the Five Mile Recreation Area;
- Donations of native plants for Bidwell Park restoration sites;
- Purchase and installation of new play equipment, including a slide, for the One Mile Recreation Area playground. This popular site is adjacent to the Park's One Mile picnic tables and barbecues that the public uses.
- Donation of funds and labor toward renovating existing picnic areas to incorporate Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines for accessibility;
- Installation of split-rail fence in various locations throughout the Park;
- Donation of volunteer database software for helping track volunteer information, hours, volunteer projects, and donations, etc.
*For costs associated with special projects or for more ideas on how you can contribute to the Park, please contact the Park Division’s Volunteer Coordinator at (530) 896-7831 or email: lspeters@ci.chico.ca.us
*All donated funds are held by the City of Chico. Please refer any questions regarding tax deductions to a professional tax advisor.
Volunteering
To keep Bidwell Park healthy and attractive, the Park Division is always seeking individuals and groups interested in volunteering. Please visit our VOLUNTEER PROGRAM page.