Chico Area Parks and Recreation Districts, Wildlife Preserves, Aquatics, Nature Centers
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Chico Area Parks and Recreation Districts, Wildlife Preserves, Aquatics, Nature Centers |
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| Bidwell Park - The 3,618 acre municipal park encompasses both sides of Big Chico Creek Canyon and is the 7th largest municipal park in the United States. There are two distinct sections to the park - Lower and Upper. Following are the many areas of the park with a brief description of each. The Park is maintained by the City of Chico Park Department 896-7805 | ||
| Cedar Grove Lower Bidwell Park off E. 8th Street Chico 896-7805 |
Picnic Tables Barbeques |
The Grove offers picnic tables and barbecues that are easily accessible. |
| Playground Picnic Tables |
A playground for young children. Closed on Mondays. | |
| Chico Creek Nature Center Lower Bidwell Park 1978 E. 8th Street Chico 891-4671 |
Picnic Tables Creek Access |
The official information and interpretive center for Bidwell Park. Housed within the Center is a non-releasable living animal collection that features native animal species from Bidwell Park and other California habitats. |
Picnic Tables |
Enjoy swimming at Sycamore Pool, barbecues, softball, horseshoe pits and more. | |
| Sycamore Pool Lower Bidwell Park 300 South Park Drive Chico 896-7805 |
Swimming | A concrete pool built around Big Chico Creek. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend each year. |
| Sycamore Field One Mile Area Lower Bidwell Park Chico 895-4711 |
Softball fields Barbeque Horseshoe Pits Picnic Area/Tables Play Equipment Restrooms |
This field is only available during the day. Available to the public on a first come first serve basis when not in use by CARD activities. CARD |
| Equestrian Center Upper Bidwell Park arena off Wildwood Avenue Chico 342-1539 |
Horse Trails |
Equestrian enthusiasts also enjoy Bidwell Park. Horses are welcome on many of the trails in the park and equestrian events are held at arena off Wildwood Avenue. |
| Playground Picnic Area/Tables Barbeque Horseshoe Pits Basketball Softball Fields |
This is a popular playing field area and is the site of several local softball and baseball leagues, also a favorite spot for kite flying. A nice playground gives the kids something to do. CARD | |
| Horseshoe Lake Upper Bidwell Park Chico 896-7805 |
Picnic Tables Fishing Off-leash Dog Area |
Although there is no swimming allowed in Horseshoe Lake, it is the perfect place for a family outing. Kids can try their hand at fishing in the lake. Off-leash area for dogs. |
| Five Mile Recreation Area Upper Bidwell Park 375 Centennial Chico 896-7805 |
Picnic Area/Tables Barbecues |
Picnic tables, barbecues and plenty of open space, making it a popular spot for large group gatherings. |
| Observatory | Nightly constellation tours including use of the portable displays which integrate live images from the telescopes with the tour. Kiwanis | |
| Chico Area Recreation & Park District - Sports, Aquatics, Classes, Special Events, After School Programs, Senior Activities, Facility Rentals. The following list of Parks and Community Centers are maintained by Chico Area Recreation& Park District - Community Center, 545 Vallombrosa Avenue, Chico 895-4711 | ||
Community Park East 20th St. & Whitman Ave. Chico 895-4711 |
Tennis Courts Softball Fields Barbeque Horseshoe Pits Picnic Area/Tables Playground Restrooms Volleyball |
Chico's largest outdoor sports park, its 30 acres provide courts along with ball fields, a large playground, barbecue grills, picnic tables, and lots of space to just sit. CARD |
| Community Park Field House East 20th St. & Whitman Ave. Chico 895-4711 |
Basketball Volleyball |
Indoor Basketball and Volleyball. Contact CARD for open gym times. CARD |
| DeGarmo Park The Esplanade & Eaton Road Chico 895-4711 |
Softball Fields | CARD |
Oak Way Park 8th Avenue & Hwy 32 Chico 895-4711 |
CARD | |
| Dorothy F. Johnson Center 775 East 16th Street Chico 895-4711 |
Social Hall | Great place for a party, dance or meeting. Seating capacity: 100 - CARD |
| Pleasant Valley Recreation Center 2320 North Avenue Chico 895-4711 |
Social Hall | The perfect place for your special occasion. -CARD |
| Shapiro Pool Oleander and Memorial Way Chico 895-4711 |
Swimming | open May thru mid- August - CARD |
| City of Chico Parks Department - In addition to Bidwell Park the following parks are maintained by the City of Chico. 896-7805 | ||
Children's Park |
Playground Picnic Tables |
Children's playground with picnic tables and grassy area for playing. |
| Wildwood Park 100 Wildwood Avenue Chico |
Fields |
Two softball fields, large playground for children, picnic tables in covered area in case of rain. |
Rotary Park E 16th Street & Broadway Chico |
Playground Picnic Tables Barbeques |
Very small children's playground with 2 picnic tables & barbeque. |
| City Plaza Chico |
A variety of community affairs and concerts are held in the Downtown City Plaza. | |
Skateboarding Park 359 Humboldt Ave Chico |
Skateboarding | Skateboard Park |
| Additional Points of Interest | ||
| Picnic Tables Barbeques Creek Access |
Honey Run Covered Bridge | |
| Mansion Tours | CA State Parks | |
Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park Take West Sacramento Ave. 5 miles until it intersects with River Road. Chico 342-5185 |
Picnic Tables Bird Watching Fishing Hiking Swimming Launch Ramp |
Park Day Use includes: |
| Endangered Species |
Home to a remarkable variety of non-releasable, endangered, and exotic live animals. Open 7 days a week, by appointment. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m | |
| Farm Sanctuary - Tours 19080 Newville Road West of Orland 865-4617 |
Farm Tour | Farm Sanctuary |
| Boating Camping Fishing Picnicking Off-Roading Wind Surfing |
A variety water sports, camping opportunities, day hikes, and picnic destinations await at Black Butte Lake. - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | |
Lake Oroville Visitor Center North end of Kelly Ridge Road Lake Oroville 538-2219 |
Boating Camping Fishing Hiking Biking Equestrian Trails |
Lake Oroville is one of the largest lakes in California. With 167 miles of shoreline, Lake Oroville covers over 15,800 surface acres, and reaches depths up to 695 feet! Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Biking & Equestrian Trails. |
Boat Rentals
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Boat Rentals - Houseboats, Patio Boats, Fishing Boats, Ski Boats, Wave Runners. | |
| Houseboat Rentals | House boat rentals. | |
| Forbay Aquatic Center - CSUChico Oroville 624-6919 |
Aquatic Rentals | Aquatic Center Rentals include Kayak, Hydro Bike, Pedal Boat, Canoe, Sailboat, Hobie Cat 16 - CSUChico |
| Feather River Nature Center Oroville 534-6684 |
Nature Center | City of Oroville |
| River Partners 580 Vallombrosa Ave Chico 894-5401 |
canoeing kayaking bird watching |
The mission of River Partners is to create wildlife habitat for the benefit of people and the environment. River Partners protects the environment by implementing large scale restoration along streams and rivers. We work on the major river systems of California's Central Valley. |
| Sacramento River | Various | Motor Boating, Kayaking/Canoeing, Fishing, Hunting, Swimming, Tubing, Birding, Photography, Nature Observation, Nature Walk, Tent Sites, Group Camp Sites, Trailer Sites, RV Sites, Cabins, Walking, Hiking |
Clay Pit SVRA |
Off-Roading Rifle Range |
A motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and dune buggy use area and rifle range. -CA State Parks |
| Recreation & Park Districts near-by Chico | ||
| Feather River Recreation & Parks 1200 Myers Street Oroville 533-2011 |
Classes Sports Special Events |
Oroville: Sports, Aquatics, Classes, Parks, Special Events, After School Programs, Senior Activities, Facility Rentals. Feather River Recreation & Parks District |
| Paradise Recreation & Park District 6626 Skyway Paradise 872-6393 |
Classes Sports Special Events |
Paradise: Sports, Aquatics, Classes, Parks, Special Events, After School Programs, Senior Activities, Facility Rentals. City of Paradise |
| Durham Recreation and Park District 9447 Midway Durham 345-1921 |
Classes Sports Special Events |
Durham: Sports, Aquatics, Classes, Parks, Special Events, After School Programs, Senior Activities, Facility Rentals. City of Durham |
| Paradise Ridge Senior Center 877 Nunneley Road Paradise 877-1733 |
Senior Activities | A multipurpose center focusing on the recreational, educational and social needs of Ridge area senior residents. Paradise Ridge |
| Wildlife Areas and Ecological Preserves | ||
| Gray Lodge's diversity and location along the Pacific Flyway make it a heaven for wildlife. Surrounded by miles of rich agricultural lands, this 9,100-acre area is managed for the wildlife that call Gray Lodge home for all or part of the year. - CA Govt. Dept of Fish & Game | ||
| Butte College Wildlife Refuge Butte College Oroville |
A mosaic of plant communities which provide food, lodging and breeding grounds for a great variety of wildlife and allow abundant resources for our programs in Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environmental Studies, Biology and other programs our college offers. - Butte College | |
| Mendocino National Forest end of Cramer Lane Chico 934-3316 |
Self-guiding nature trail: (1 mile loop) meanders through a unique botanical area in Edgar Slough which has remnants of exotic species that were planted when this was a Plant Introduction Center. During normal work hours employees are available to answer questions. The Center is generally open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. USDA Forest Service | |
| Butte Creek Ecological Preserve Honey Run Road Chico |
The Butte Creek Ecological Preserve and the CSU, Chico Research Foundations Ecological Reserve System work together to preserve critical habitat and to provide a natural area for environmental research and education. - CSUChico | |
| Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve Chico 898-5010 |
The Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve contains 3,950 acres of diverse canyon and ridge habitats, including 4.5 miles of Big Chico Creek, and is home to many species of plants and animals. -CSUChico | |
| The Sutter Buttes Yuba City 671-6116 |
Middle Mountain Foundation | |