City of Chico, Parks Division, PALS Volunteers

Stewardship Saturday: Bidwell Park History with Paul Belz and Dave Nopel

Stewardship Saturday is a City of Chico volunteer program designed to connect the community with the natural resources and history of our region. Each event is led by a local expert in fields such as ecology, botany, wildlife, and regional history, offering participants an opportunity to deepen their appreciation for the places that make Chico so special.

Join local Chico author and poet Paul Belz and longtime Bidwell Park historian Dave Nopel for a fascinating journey through the history of Bidwell Park—Chico's crown jewel. Belz, author of Bidwell Park: Personal Reflections and Casual Conversations About Chico's Crown Jewel, has spent years researching, teaching, and sharing the park's stories through his writing. Nopel has dedicated decades to researching and preserving the history of Bidwell Park and the Chico area, drawing on extensive archival research and a lifelong passion for local history.

Together, Paul and Dave will explore the park's origins, its cultural and ecological significance, and the people, places, and events that have shaped Bidwell Park into the treasured landscape it is today. Whether you're a longtime park enthusiast or discovering Bidwell Park for the first time, this is a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Chico's most iconic park and strengthen your connection to the landscape we all help steward.

Come learn, ask questions, and experience Bidwell Park through the eyes of two of Chico's most knowledgeable storytellers.

Event Details:
Date: Saturday, September 12th
Time: 12:00-2:00
Location: Chico History Museum, 141 Salem & 2nd St, Downtown Chico

Fee: FREE but donations to the museum are much appreciated