When Author Paul Belz set out to write a book about Bidwell Park, he thought it would take him one year. Six years later, he published “Bidwell Park.”
Book overview
The subhead of the book details the content: “Personal Reflections and Casual Conversations About Chico’s Crown Jewel.”
The book delves into the origins of the park, the politics surrounding it, flora and fauna, little known facts and challenges facing the park.
Belz said, “Everybody in town and city officials,” should read his book.
“A lot of people who’ve lived here for ages have told me there’s a lot of information in there (the book) they didn’t dream of,” Belz said.
Education, awareness
A large part of Belz’s purpose in writing this book is to increase education and awareness about the park.
Though there are some education programs for children to learn about the park, “when it comes to community education, there’s practically nothing,” Belz said.
Belz also said the park used to get regular news coverage from various local outlets, including the Chico Enterprise-Record, but no longer does.
“A lot of us really feel like people need to be very aware of this place, because it is very special,” Belz said.
To Belz, what makes the park so special is its complicated ecology, the semi-wild parts of the park and its sheer size.
“Not a lot of towns have 3,600 plus acres of open space,” Belz said.
Why care?
People should care about the park because spending time in nature is extremely beneficial for health and wellness, Belz said.
During the pandemic, more people began to use the park. Belz said the park was a respite during this time.
“This is not hippie-dippie stuff,” Belz said. “This is stuff that’s really backed up with scientific studies.”
The National Library of Medicine conducted a review of 952 studies that focused on health and the interaction with nature. In 92% of the studies reviewed, all health outcomes were improved when individuals engaged with the outside world.
According to Belz, and multiple people he interviewed for the book, funding is one of the park’s biggest issues.
Commercial entities don’t have to pay to film in the park, said Belz. He said lots of people think they should have to pay.
The park is also free to use and has free parking. There is discussion of making it so people have to pay for parking in Upper Bidwell to bring in funds.
Other issues include dogs off leashes, litter, people going off of trails causing erosion and people cutting plants in the park.
Who is Paul Belz?
Belz is originally from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
He was always into hiking as a kid, and his dad “was a huge nature enthusiast.” He said he earned his masters degree in environmental science from Antioch New England University.
What brought him to California is “another long story.”
“A lot of my people in my little gang and I were big supporters of United Farmworkers, Cesar Chavez,” Belz said. “And some of us came out and were actually staff for a while.”
Chico State students get Cesar Chavez day off of school, and often spend the holiday partying and drinking.
“I think a lot of people find that depressing,” said Belz about how students celebrate. “Yeah. What more do we need to say?”
Belz moved to Chico from Oakland seven years ago with his partner Kate Roark. Bidwell park was a large part of what made them want to move to the area.
Roark and Belz both said Upper Park is their favorite part of Bidwell Park.
About the book, Roark said she, “was happy to have the project, but didn’t think it would take so long.”
In the end, she said she was proud of Belz and enjoyed the “fun outings,” they had, often in the park, while Belz worked on the book.
Where to find the book
“Bidwell Park,” published by ANCHR, the Association for Northern California Historical Research, is available at the following locations: The Bookstore, Made in Chico and the Chico History Museum.
The book is also available through The Bookstore’s website, chicobooks.com.
Made in Chico also carries Belz’s recent poetry book, “Sometimes the Soul Needs Chocolate: Pandemic Odes.” Belz said some of the poems in the book were nominated for The Pushcart Prize.
Belz will be on KZFR on Wednesday at 7 p.m. to talk about the book and the importance of education on Bidwell Park.
