Shaw said he was contracted through the playground and shade equipment company Park Planet.

The shade roof and new playground at the park on East 16th Street were thanks to a $2.9 million grant from California State Parks. The park had a grand reopening in January.

The 10th annual Local Nursery Crawl spans Saturday and today and includes 15 plant nurseries in Butte County.

For the event, participants were offered a flyer with the names of each participating nursery on it. If participants got the flyer stamped by six different nurseries, they could enter into a raffle for a gift certificate at the final nursery they went to. “This event is to get the public to visit/discover the many independent nurseries in the area and inspire loyalty and community support for local business,” states the event’s Facebook page.

This year is Hassur’s “fifth or sixth” year participating in the crawl. At Little Red Hen Plant Nursery she bought dwarf mondo grass she plans to plant in between the sandstones of her walkway.

In 2023, the event was held in February. However, this year it was moved to March.

“It’s been a lot busier with more people coming in,” said Little Red Hen Nursery instructor Karen Brewster. “They’re (customers) more ready to plant. February is too early.”

During the crawl, Little Red Hen Nursery offered 15% off everything except tomatoes.

Fair Street Nursery hosted the Chico Bonsai Society on Saturday. Some of the small trees on display were over 40 years old.

In addition to Fair Street Nursery’s many out door plants for sale, the company also sell indoor plants in a warm heated room. It also sells artisan decorations from local artists for the garden.

At Harvests and Habitats Nursery perennials, vegetables and wildflowers sold the most, said employee Suzie McAllister.

“People are starting to dream about their garden for the spring and summer,” McAllister said.

Harvests and Habitats Nursery owner Sherri Scott said it is nice having the crawl in March because more plants are blooming.

“I like that, but it’s also the really busy time for me planting everything because we grow everything ourselves, or like 95% of it ourselves. … I have not slept,” she said with a laugh.

For those looking a well rounded plant that smells amazing and is low maintenance, McAllister and Scott recommend scented geranium.

“They’re like a low key superhero,” McAllister said. “They don’t have a big showy a blossom, they still attract pollinators and they just smells so good.”

Other plants that are easy to take care of are rosemary, sweet bay and lettuce, Scott said. Another popular option she recommends is succulents.

“It’s just about getting it right,” Scott said.

Roger Lederer and Carol Burr, retired Chico State professors and co-creators of the book “The Wildflowers of Bidwell Park,” said the area near the North Rim Trailhead and the Easter Cross is the best place to view wildflowers in Bidwell Park this spring.

When to see wildflowers

In about two weeks the flowers will really take off, and the parking lots in upper park will likely be packed, Lederer said. “Things are just getting started.”

The wildflower season depends highly on the amount of rainfall, Lederer and Burr said.

In January and February, 9.28 inches of rain fell on Chico and Durham. So far 1.7 inches of rain have fallen in March.

If there is more rain, the wildflower season will often start later and last longer, Lederer said.

In 2023, 14.14 inches of rain fell January through March. This was a steep increase from 0.91 inches of rain in January through March 2022.

“Last year was exciting just because after a lot of drought things (wildflowers) really went ‘woo!'” Burr said.

The duration of each wildflower’s bloom varies, but heat is a huge factor.

“Soon as it gets really hot a lot of things go away,” Burr said.

While spotting wildflowers in near the Easter Cross on Thursday morning, Burr and Lederer came across a white wildflower they didn’t recognize. Lederer used the app PictureThis to take a picture of the flower and identify it as false garlic, sometimes called crow poison.

“These look like they’re coming to an end already,” Burr said about the false garlic.

Some wildflowers won’t begin to bloom until June, Burr said.

“You can find wildflowers actually all year round, but this is the best time,” Lederer said.

Where

Near the Easter Cross and the North Rim Trailhead is the best place to see wildflowers because of its accessibility and the vastness of its hills, said Lederer and Burr.

Parking in this area gives easy access to a variety of flat and slightly steep trails.

Lederer said the blooms in this area are “spectacular, because you can see big fields of them.”

There are hundreds of different wildflowers in Bidwell Park and some tend to grow in different areas.

“Upper park is more hilly, and more rocky,” Burr said. “And so you might see stonecrop and some other different plants up there.”

In lower park, periwinkle, a non-native flower, is blooming near the creek. Because lower park is the most used part of the park, there is less variety in this area, Burr said.

What’s in bloom?

Some of the wildflowers currently in bloom are “belly flowers” which is a much more fun way of saying “really small flowers.”

They’re called belly flowers because you have to theoretically lie down on your stomach to see them. In reality, kneeling down close to the ground, or even looking closely while standing will suffice.

If you want a really good look at them you can do what Lederer does, bring a magnifying glass.

Some of the belly flowers currently in bloom are popcorn flower, cowbag clover and Johnny-Tuck.

Popcorn flower looks like tiny white popcorn. Cowbag clover, also called dwarf sack clover, resembles a cow’s udder if it were a more reddish purple shade.

Johnny-Tuck, sometimes called “eggs and butter” for its yellow shade, is thought to be named after John Bidwell. However, the origins of the “Tuck” part of the name are unknown according to Lederer’s entry on the flower in “The Wildflowers of Bidwell Park.”

Pineapple weed is also sprouting in the park. Though Lederer has a strict rule against picking flowers or any plant in the park, he said pineapple weed smells like pineapple or vanilla when you crush the head of the plant between your fingers.

Each flower has multiple common names that vary depending on who you ask. Each flower, as with every plant, has a scientific Latin name that is universal.

“Common names are just all over the place,” Lederer said. “The only thing that botanists go by is the scientific names.”

Trail etiquette

To ensure a lasting wildflower season that everyone can enjoy, Burr and Lederer said people should stay on trail, keep their dogs on leash and leave the park the way they found it.

“It’s a natural area, and it’ll do fine all by itself,” Lederer said. “You don’t need to do anything to it.”

In addition to “The Wildflowers of Bidwell Park,” the couple also published “The Trees of Bidwell Park” and “The Birds of Bidwell Park.” Lederer, who studied and taught biological sciences, wrote the content of the books. Burr, who taught English and developed multiple programs at Chico State, illustrated the books.

The books can be found online at chicobooks.com and at various downtown businesses.

Walking access at the pedestrian gate is now open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, an extension of two hours to accommodate extra daylight from the time change, according to Mendocino National Forest Public Information Officer Laura Leidner.

Around November, when daylight saving time ends, hours will be changed back to 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Drive-through access in the park remains the same year-round open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Chico Seed Orchard is a production orchard that provides seed cones to 10 national forests in California, Leidner said. From 2006 to 2017, an estimated 20 million Douglas fir seedlings and 14 million Ponderosa pine seedings were reported collected.

A self guided one-mile paved walking trail is open to the public and shows identification for plant species on signs. Leashes are required for pets.

The Chico Seed Orchard was founded in 1904 and is located at 2471 Cramer Lane. It is operated by Mendocino National Forest.

O’Neill received a Noodle brand golf ball with the number three on it. “Noodle,” was her childhood nickname, because she had curly hair, and three is her favorite number. She said she was grateful for “the synchronicity.”

Forest therapy walks are guided out door experiences that aim to promote wellness. The walks are put on regularly by the Chico State Ecotherapy Program. Proponents of the practice say it provides multiple benefits including boosting the immune system, fostering creativity and reducing stress.

The walks center around “invitations,” which certified forest therapy guide Josh Trout described as “opportunit(ies) to explore nature with your senses.”

Saturday’s walk featured 17 participants — the most Trout has guided so far — and consisted of four invitations. For the first, called “pleasures of presence,” participants sat on the ground near Big Chico Creek. Most people brought a blanket or cushion to sit on.

Trout guided participants through each of their senses in a “grounding” exercise. He invited everyone to see what was around them, then tap into their smell, hearing and sense of touch.

“The whole idea here is to get out of your head and into your body,” Trout said.

After the exercise, participants passed around a rock in a “sharing circle.” Once a participant held the rock, they had the option to share about their experience, or simply pass the rock to the next person.

Next, Trout introduced the second invitation: “What’s in motion?” Participants had 10 minutes to walk on their own and observe anything that moved. Trout called the group back with a coyote call, a long loud howl that participants echoed before returning for another sharing circle.

For the third invitation, “Nature gift,” when O’Neill received her golf ball, participants broke into groups and searched for anything in the forest to gift each other. After about 10 minutes and another coyote call, participants returned with various items: rocks, leaves, a slingshot made of trash and twigs, flowers, the golf ball and a highly coveted crown made of leaves.

“I think it’s super cute,” said the recipient of the crown, Jaina Sanfilippo. “I’m going to keep it.”

Finally, Trout introduced the final invitation: “Sit spot.” Participants simply found a spot to either sit, stand or lay — and just be there.

The walk concluded with hot tea and snacks.

‘Gentle meandering’

As everyone began sipping their tea and chatting, a few light drops of rain began to fall.

“Our timing was impeccable,” Trout said.

Participant Karen Hansen said she was expecting a hike but would describe the walk as a “gentle meandering.” She said it would be good for people with moderate physical disabilities or those who are less able, due to the “gentle” nature of the walk.

“I would definitely come back. He’s great,” she said gesturing toward Trout.

Chico State student Presley Cole went to the walk alone and was surprised to meet four other people from her major, social work. She said the grounding exercises in the walk greatly translate to her studies.

“I was very emotional this morning,” Cole said. “And then when I came, I was like, ‘Well, I feel a lot more calm and less overwhelmed,’ which is nice.”

The walks are funded through Chico State Basic Needs and a grant from the North Valley Community Foundation’s Butte Strong Fund, according to Chico State Eco Therapy program manager Blake Ellis. Due to low enrollment, Chico State is making budget cuts, Ellis said, so the organization needs funding.

The forest therapy walks are free and open to anyone. Ellis said it is important they don’t have a “financial barrier” for participants. Ellis encouraged people to donate and said businesses that want to set up services for their staff or clients should reach out and consider making a contribution.

“I always felt uncomfortable when it comes to talking about money,” Ellis said. “But the truth of the matter is, like, we’ve been doing a lot of great work in the community, and folks are really utilizing our services.”

The next forest therapy walk will take place March 13 (a Wednesday) at Bidwell-Sacramento State Park at 5:30 p.m.

LAKE SHASTA: Anglers fishing the Western Outdoor News Bass PRO-AM on January 31st-February 2nd saw some great bag weights. Nick Wood won the Pro side with a three-day cumulative weight of 47.42 pounds and Jake Etcheverry took the AAA with a combined weight of 48.46 pounds. Jeff Goodwin reported that Shasta Lake trout action has been very good and he’s taking fish to 5-pounds trolling #3-#4 sized Trinidad Optimizers in rainbow and in black and white. Trophy brown trout season is here, and March should be very good. The lake is in excellent condition and water levels have reached almost 83 percent.

TRINITY RESERVOIR: No current reports. Water level still below seasonal averages. We should start seeing some kokanee, but none reported so far.

AMERICAN RIVER/above Folsom Lake: The water is very stained from the recent inflow, particularly in the Middle Fork due to the burn scar from the Mosquito Fire. The flows have dropped from 1388 to 959 cfs at Chili Bar, but they remain high. As a result, fishing has been limited in the dirty water. The upper river is catch-and-release, artificials, and barbless hooks only through the end of May.

AMERICAN RIVER/Sacramento: Steelhead action is mixed but there is still a decent bite below Nimbus on Little Cleo spoons, roe, soft beads, and double nymphs under a bobber.  Water levels are up around 2,570 cfs. but have been changing frequently with the weather and releases from the dam. Nimbus hatchery will be hosting children’s tours of the hatchery on February 18th. Things in town are tough due to poor water conditions.

FEATHER RIVER: No current reports. Conditions are good and the steelies should be in but are apparently spread out and in limited numbers. Water levels are variable. During the week of February 5-9, The California Department of Fish and Wildlife released approximately half of 445,000 Feather River brood year 2023 hatchery steelhead at the Boyd’s Pump boat ramp. The remainder will be released during the week of February 13-16. There are approximately 4 fish/pound. All fish have been clipped.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Keswick Reservoir to Red Bluff: The Fly Shop in Redding reported that the river is still in relatively good shape above the Bonnyville Bridge but deteriorates below that. Flows are currently holding around 16,000 cfs. and are fine for the drift boats but too high for wading. Yellow egg patterns, caddis, poopahs, Zwings and Bubble backs all working.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Colusa to Tisdale: Tough conditions due to high water.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Metro area: Tough conditions due to high water. The California Salmon and Steelhead Coalition today expressed support for Governor Gavin Newsom’s California Salmon Strategy, released January 30th. The Coalition, a partnership between California Trout, The Nature Conservancy, and Trout Unlimited, noted that many elements of this plan have been vetted for years by Coalition members and project partners and have proven effective in enhancing salmon habitat and recovery. “The Governor’s strategy brings in many of the elements we think are effective to bring back salmon populations,” said Curtis Knight, Executive Director for California Trout. “Restoring habitat, removing fish passage barriers, and investing in technology and science.”

The bi-weekly fishing report, compiled by Western Outdoor News, highlights the best angling opportunities in the north state.

LAKE SHASTA: John Boitano of Phil’s Propellers reported some very good main body action with bass feeding on plastics and jigs in deeper water between 30 and 50 feet. Some blade action and slow-rolling Keitechs are also producing.  Jeff Goodwin has reported a solid winter trout bite with fish up shallow in the water column. Side planers have been best with 1- to 2-ounec snap weights.  Trolling speeds vary from 2.5 to 2.8 mph. The lure of choice has been Trinidad Tackle Optimizer Jr’s. Dark colors early and flashy UV colors after the sun hits the water.

TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek: The Trinity is green and in great shape. The lower river doesn’t have many adult steelhead at the moment as most have made their way upriver. The winter steelhead run should begin in January. Reportedly, the river is loaded with half-pounders. Flows Sunday morning were around 1,580 cfs on the Hoopa gauge. Another decent rise is predicted for early Monday morning.

AMERICAN RIVER/above Folsom Lake: The flows have risen from 953 to 1388 cfs at Chili Bar, and the weekend’s storm will bring further mud and debris to the Middle Fork due to the burn scar from the Mosquito Fire.  As a result, fishing has been limited in the dirty water. The upper river is catch-and-release, artificials, and barbless hooks only through the end of May.

AMERICAN RIVER/Sacramento: few reports of any action but there should be some steelies in the system. 516,000 steelhead smolts will be released this week from the Sunrise Launch Ramp.

FEATHER RIVER: No good reports currently. Conditions are good and the steelies should be in.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Keswick Reservoir to Red Bluff: The Fly Shop in Redding reported that the river is still in good shape and action remains solid for the wild rainbows. Dark smaller flies working in the am with Birds’ Nests, Poopahs and amber Bubblebacks fishing well later in the day. As of now the river remains very wadable. Steelies continue to hold in the Jelly’s Ferry area below the hatchery.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Colusa to Tisdale: no change. Reports from Colusa remain light but anglers are reporting some action with resident striper.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Metro area: Dennis, Sacramento Pro Tackle reported slow striper action with some resident fish being taken in the Freeport area. Bass, catfish and blue gill action still good in some of the smaller water. Guide Rustic Rob Reimers reported very good sturgeon action below Sherman Island on roe, and eels. He continues to report some decent riper action around Rio Vista or West Bank with fish taken on Yo-Zuri Hydro minnows with a white or chartreuse plastic trailer.

The bi-weekly fishing report, compiled by Western Outdoor News, highlights the best angling opportunities in the north state.

LAKE SHASTA: 64 boats showed up for the first Pro/Am of the season with the winning two-day weight at 28.51 pounds. John Boitano of Phil’s Propellers reported some very good main body action with bass feeding on plastics and jigs in deeper water between 30 and 50 feet. Some blade action and slow-rolling Keitechs are also producing.  Jeff Goodwin has reported a solid winter trout bite with fish up shallow in the water column. Side planers have been best with 1- to 2-ounec snap weights.  Trolling speeds vary from 2.5 to 2.8 mph. The lure of choice has been Trinidad Tackle Optimizer Jr’s. Dark colors early and flashy UV colors after the sun hits the water.

TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek: The lower Trinity was muddy Friday with flows right around 7,500 cfs on the Hoopa gauge. Conditions don’t look to improve anytime soon as Saturday’s storm is projected to push flows to nearly 26,000 cfs. With more rain in the forecast mid next week, it may not fish all week. Fishing pressure continues to be light, but that should change when the winter steelhead begin to show up in bigger numbers.

AMERICAN RIVER/Above Folsom: The flows have risen to 953 cfs at Chili Bar, and the weekend’s storm will bring further mud and debris to the Middle Fork due to the burn scar from the Mosquito Fire.  The upper river is catch-and-release, artificials, and barbless hooks only through the end of May.

AMERICAN RIVER/Sacramento: Steelhead season opened on January 1. There have been some decent numbers of fish returning to the hatchery indicating a decent run overall, but action has been mixed. The crowds at Sailor Bar have been manageable but access to prime water can be challenging if you don’t get there early. Beads under a bobber has been the top producing rig but there has been some spinner action as well. There was a water release on January 3, but flows are now steady at about 1,808 cfs.

FEATHER RIVER: No good reports currently. Conditions are good and the steelies should be in. Water levels are variable.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Keswick Reservoir to Red Bluff: The Fly Shop in Redding reported that the river is still fishable with decent water clarity from the top down to Cottonwood Creek. There was a moderate water release on January 6, but the river has settled back down, and flows have been holding around 5,360 to 5,500 cfs and remains wadable. Midge and BWO hatches have the fishing looking for smaller dark flies in the am and Zebra Midges, Micro Mays, BP Weiss Nymphs later in the day. Guide Garrett Kenyon reported a slower bite but some late fall/ winter salmon still spawning and trout, steelhead hitting the smaller beads below.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Colusa to Tisdale: No change. Reports from Colusa remain light, but anglers are reporting some action with resident striper. Social media continues to post decent fish, but these are smart, resident fish and the numbers are low. Most taken on big glide baits.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Metro area: Action in the metro area remains mixed to poor for an occasional resident striper with some action in the port. Lower delta action remains mixed with some decent numbers in the Rio Vista area.

The bi-weekly fishing report, compiled by Western Outdoor News, highlights the best angling opportunities in the north state.

Culminating a three-year process, the Chico Area Recreation and Park District flipped the switch on a splash-and-play feature just out of splashing distance from a towering new play structure. The park, adjoining the Dorothy F. Johnson Center on East 16th Street, also features basketball courts, a “reflexology” trail, new restrooms, a covered picnic area and multiple grassy areas.

Gavyn Dilley and her 2-year-old daughter, Harlow Locklin, were already at the playground before the festivities began. Harlow gleefully climbed up the blue spiral side and slid back down at what her mom said is her “new favorite” park.

“It’s wonderful,” Dilley said. Harlow’s expression matched the words on her shirt — “All Smiles” — as she enjoyed playing, checking out the water feature and receiving a frisbee to take home.

Among the handful of families who came for the ceremony were Veronica Castro and her grandchildren Mateo Ceja, 1; Nathan Fajardo, 2; Sophia Fajardo, 4; and Natalee Fajardo, 9. Mateo enjoyed a hot dog CARD provided as his grandma greeted friends.

CARD general manager Annabel Grimm and Chico-based landscape architect Greg Melton welcomed the crowd, which included City Councilor Deepika Tandon (whose district encompasses the Chapman neighborhood), CARD staff, construction crews, contributors such as the Chico Sunrise Rotary Club and, above all, neighbors.

In declaring the park officially reopened, Grimm said: “Let it stand as a symbol of collaboration, unity and the spirit of community.”

Erin Gonzales, recreation supervisor at the Johnson Center, explained a few moments later that the renovation stems from a grant for which CARD applied in 2021 and received funding approval in December 2022. The city augmented the funding with $500,000, and community members donated for certain elements (for instance, a bear sculpture in the splash park from the Rotarians and the trail from Melton’s design firm).

“Since the annexation of Chapmantown into the city of Chico, this park is the first major improvement in this neighborhood,” Tandon said after the ceremony. “This is an example of how great things happen when we work together as a team. It will bring the community together and give more opportunities for downtown living.”

Grimm said the splash park is Chico’s first, though it harkens to the fountain in City Plaza with subterranean jets shooting water upward.

Of the full renovation, Gonzales said: “It’s beautiful; I love it. I first worried everything wouldn’t meld and would look out of place — but I think it’s all fitting together well.”

LAKE SHASTA: John Boitano of Phil’s Propellers reported some very good main body action with bass feeding on plastics and jigs in deeper water between 30 and 50 feet. Some blade action and slow-rolling Keitechs are also producing.  Jeff Goodwin has reported a solid winter trout bite with fish up shallow in the water column. Side planers have been best with 1- to 2-ounec snap weights.  Trolling speeds vary from 2.5 to 2.8 mph. The lure of choice has been Trinidad Tackle Optimizer Jr’s. Dark colors early and flashy UV colors after the sun hits the water.

TRINITY RIVER, Willow Creek: The Trinity is green and in great shape. The lower river doesn’t have many adult steelhead at the moment as most have made their way upriver. The winter steelhead run should begin in January. Reportedly, the river is loaded with half-pounders. Flows Sunday morning were around 1,580 cfs on the Hoopa gauge. Another decent rise is predicted for early Monday morning.

AMERICAN RIVER/Above Folsom: The flows have dropped from 1641 to 1214 cfs at Chili Bar, but this week’s storm will bring the flows up significantly. The river has been fishing well for those with artificials using barbless hooks as required, but the Middle Fork is expected to muddy up due to the burn scar from the Mosquito Fire.  The upper river is catch-and-release, artificials, and barbless hooks only through the end of May.

AMERICAN RIVER/Sacramento: Few reports of any action but there should be some steelies in the system.

AMERICAN RIVER/Sacramento: Few reports of any action but there should be some steelies in the system.

FEATHER RIVER: No good reports currently. Conditions are good and the steelies should be in.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Keswick Reservoir to Red Bluff: The Fly Shop in Redding reported that the river is still in good shape and action remains solid for the wild rainbows. Dark smaller flies working in the am with Birds’ Nests, Poopahs, and Amber Bubblebacks fishing well later in the day. As of now the river remains very wadable. Steelies continue to hold in the Jelly’s Ferry area below the hatchery.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Colusa to Tisdale: No change. Reports from Colusa remain        light but anglers are reporting some action with resident striper.

SACRAMENTO RIVER, Metro area: Dennis Phanner at Sacramento Pro Tackle reported slow striper action with some resident fish being taken in the Freeport area. Bass, catfish and blue gill action still good in some of the smaller water. Guide Rustic Rob Reimers reported very good sturgeon action below Sherman Island on roe, and eels. He continues to report some decent riper action around Rio Vista or West Bank with fish taken on Yo-Zuri Hydro minnows with a white or chartreuse plastic trailer.

The bi-weekly fishing report, compiled by Western Outdoor News, highlights the best angling opportunities in the north state.