Bidwell Park is the 25th largest municipal park in the United States at 3,670 acres. The park has featured a 36 hole disc golf course (at one time with a proposed expansion to 45 holes).
Friends of Bidwell Park , (FOBP) in Chico, California is a park advocacy organization, formed in April of 2003. FOBP is focused on preserving and protecting the natural resources of Bidwell Park, increasing the volunteer opportunities in the park, participating in the ongoing update of the 15-year-old Master Management Plan for the park, and community outreach focusing on providing education about the park’s natural resources. FOBP is a focal point for residents concerned about the impacts of disc golfing in the park.
Specific concerns about the impact of disc golfing in Bidwell Park include the following:
- Damage to trees and vegetation
- Reduced infiltration. The topsoil and its associated root-mass from grasses and forbs are necessary to allow infiltration of precipitation.
- Compounded erosion. Because the exposed subsoils are being compacted, further limiting infiltration, erosion is accelerated during storm events.
- Habitat deterioration. The ability of the soils to absorb water and provide sustenance for trees, shrubs and other vegetation is dramatically reduced.
These are all serious problems actually occurring in Bidwell Park and likely consequences of a disc golf course in Leddy Park as well, here in Burlington.
This oak at Bidwell Park has died since the course was established
In November 2008 the Chico, CA city council voted to remove disc golf from Bidwell Park. An alternative disc golf course is also being opened at a more appropriate location on the nearby Sunset Hills golf course. Although the city council has voted to remove disc golf from Bidwell Park, disc golfers disregarding the resolution, continue to play there.
Additional Information on Bidwell Park: