INTRODUCTION

Parks

The primary function of County Government in the field of parks and recreation should be the conservation of large natural open spaces suited for park and recreation development and to encourage the various recreation districts to develop recreational facilities that will be used and enjoyed by County residents, tourists and other visitors to the County.

A regional responsibility of County Government, was stated in the County Recreation Policy adopted by the County Supervisors Associations of California in 1960. "County Government should be the primary supplier of day-use regional recreational facilities within a county, when such facilities are intended for use throughout the County."

Although the County has limited direct involvement in recreational planning and has delegated this responsibility to the various recreation districts, the impetus for the development of regional parks or regional recreation areas is a County responsibility.

The continuing trend toward greater expendable income and shorter working hours for the average person has inevitably resulted in an increase in the amount of leisure time for the average person. This trend seems likely to continue with increasing rapidity in the future. The General Plan has not intended to depict all of the many recreational facilities that will be required to fill these needs by 2000. The full responsibility for providing recreational facilities for the visitors and residents expected by 2000 must be divided among many agencies. Some of the recreational facilities to be provided in Butte County will be the result of the Federal and State government, some by special recreational districts, and based on present trends, it is evident that many recreational facilities will be provided by private enterprise. This General Plan indicates only those parks and trails that are presently existing or proposed and not those needed to serve the entire county by the year 2000.

Tourism

Tourism is a very important factor in the present and future economic development of the County. The County has been an attraction for people over the years because of its renowned beauty, hunting and fishing, and historic past. The warm, dry climate, open spaces, and water recreation mean much to people seeking rest, relaxation, sunshine, and a pleasant environment. With the addition of the Oroville Lake and the increased mobility and expendable income devoted to leisure, the County can expect increased tourism and as a revenue producing factor, it will become increasingly important in the years ahead.

The General Plan proposes that greater advantage be taken of the natural opportunities which exist within the area. The County will benefit tremendously from the works included in the state-water project facilities.

If the physical works comprising this system are fully developed for recreation, fish and wildlife purposes as well as for the primary purpose of water supply, they should materially add to the value of water resources development by providing additional opportunities for diverse recreational activities.

A corollary to this development is the economic benefit which can accrue on both a state-wide and regional basis in the areas in which each project is completed. Campers, fishermen, swimmers, boating enthusiasts, and others will be attracted to these areas. Not only will they help increase the economic development of the region wherein the project is located, but through purchases of recreational equipment, travel, and lodging expenditures will aid the economy in the urbanized areas along the routes of travel. Recreation is as much an industry on which the Butte County economy could depend as is agriculture and manufacturing if there is optimum development of recreational facilities.

To date, the facilities which were originally proposed for the Oroville Lake Project have been only partially funded by the State and only a fraction of the development has been realized. The Loafer Creek area of the recreational development plan has been partially developed, but still falls far short of the total development as proposed by the Department of Water Resources Recreation Plan. Of the 1200 campsites, 800 picnic tables, and numerous ancillary facilities, only a small portion has been constructed. Although the County has constructed a boat ramp and mooring facilities at the Lime Saddle Recreational Area, the picnic, camping or beach areas as proposed in the development plan have not been constructed, nor are they proposed for construction in the near future.

The same is true of the development that was proposed for the Forebay and Thermalito Afterbay Recreation Areas. Some picnicking facilities and partial completion of the proposed parking facilities have been accomplished a the Forebay site, however, it is not developed as originally proposed. The Development Plan for the Oroville Borrow Area, which would have provided extensive waterfowl hunting, fishing, camping and picnicking, has never been developed. 1970 was the year assumed for the completion of initial development. The State estimate for recreation use at the borrow area gives some indication of the revenue from tourism lost to the County. The County will not realize the full benefits of the Oroville Lake Project until facilities constructed to accommodate vacationing visitors offering a full range of accommodations for recreation and living, with the necessary amenities are available to those wishing to visit and vacation in Butte County. It is recommended that every effort to encourage the State to complete the Recreation Development Plan be made for the Feather River Project.

Park Types

State and Federal Recreational areas: State and Federal recreational facilities are used by visitors as well as residents of the County. Although a considerable number of the day users of the State recreational areas are Butte County residents, in the future, it is expected that the continued population growth in the Sacramento and Bay areas coupled with increased expendable income and leisure time and improved access will result in increased usage from out-of-town residents. The State recreational areas are sufficiently large to accommodate most of the present overnight demands for those months, when the weather permits use of the foothill and mountain areas. However, because of the limited day use facilities on State and Federal land, and since none are provided by the County, it is doubtful that the present facilities will satisfy all of the public's basic recreational needs in the coming years. The State and Federal agencies should be encouraged to expand the recreational facilities as rapidly as possible.

The County District or Regional Parks: A County regional park site should be scenic in character and large enough to serve at the inter-city County level. This type of park conserves natural open space for the use and enjoyment of people, while allowing space to accommodate both passive and active recreational activities. Development should be concentrated so that the character of the land will not be destroyed.

Neighborhood and Community Parks: Neighborhood and community parks provide for recreational uses in proximity to the dwelling of the resident. The standards or locational criteria for these parks are not included in this plan. Instead, it is expected that the standards for this type of facility will vary somewhat throughout the County, depending upon the recreational policy of the various city and recreational districts.

Riding and Biking Trails: Another significant element of the total recreational program is the provision of adequate riding and hiking trails. The County staff has completed a comprehensive study for riding and hiking trails for Butte County in conjunction with the Butte County Trails Committee and various groups from other jurisdictions. The researching encompassed did not include a comprehensive examination of riding and hiking trails on a County-wide basis. It did, however, attempt to coordinate the various suggestions from interested groups and the Trails Committee and incorporate the suggestions into an overall plan for future consideration. The plan as presented should be supplemented at a future date with a detailed riding and hiking element after completion of the necessary research and analysis.

Table REC - 1 DISTRICT OR REGIONAL PARK STANDARDS
Acres Per 1,000 Population	Size of Site	Radius of Area Served
10-15	100 acres minimum	5.0 miles
	Type of Recreational Activity

Active Recreation	Passive Recreation
Children play area	Picnicking
Field Play Areas	Fishing
Outdoor sports area	Zoos, arboretums, botanical gardens
Swimming
Boating
Hiking, riding, nature study
Golf

In order that Butte County may continue to have park and recreational facilities that will meet the needs, desires, and habits of its growing population the following recommendations are made:

Figure REC-2, Recreation Element Public shows the general location, by number of each facility.

1. AREA: Philbrook

LOCATION: North of Stirling City East of Humbug Road approximately 4 miles.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Hunting and fishing camps, picnicking facilities comfort stations, acquisition and maintenance of Good County road to head of reservoir home-sites.

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: U.S. Forest Service and Butte County

2. AREA: Feather River Canyon

AREA: Middle Fork Feather River

LOCATION: Northeast of Oroville approximately 25 miles off Oro-Quincy Road and Bald Rock Road.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Hunting and fishing camps, observation points, comfort stations, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: Forest Service, County State Department Parks & Recreation, Feather River Recreation & Park District.

3. AREA: Middle Fork Feather River

LOCATION: Northeast of Oroville approximately 25 miles off Oro-Quincy Road and Bald Rock Road.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Hunting and fishing camps, observation points, comfort stations, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: Forest Service, County State department Parks & Recreation, Feather River Recreation & Park District.

4. AREA: Feather Falls

LOCATION: Off Oro-Lumpkin Road, approximately 18 miles from Oroville.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Improved access to Falls, observation points, riding and hiking trails, picnicking facilities.

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: Forest Service, County, Recreation District, State Department Parks & Recreation.

5. AREA: Oroville Reservoir and Facilities

LOCATION: Lime Saddle, Foreman Creek Bloomer, Craig, Kelly Ridge, Forebay, Loafer Creek, Goat Ranch, Afterbay, Potter Ravine, Fish Hatchery, etc.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Parking, camp, picnic, boat ramp, comfort station, trailer, food, gasoline, oil, water, observation points and other facilities to serve the recreation minded public.

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: County, Recreation District and State Department Parks and Recreation.

6. AREA: Feather River

LOCATION: South of Oroville, Near Western Canal Dam.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Construction of a Check Dam to create a slow-moving water lake for warm water fishing, boating and water sports, development to include a swimming pool, picnic areas, parking areas, landscaping, boating marina, comfort stations.

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: P.G.& E. Company, County, Recreation District, Fish & Game, City of Oroville.

7. AREA: Feather River

LOCATION: In Rock Piles, southwest of Oroville.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Warm water fishing in sloughs and ponds.

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: County, Recreation District, Fish & Game.

8. AREA: Feather River

LOCATION: East of Biggs

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Access to parking, comfort station, picnicking facilities, boat marina complex.

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: County and Recreation District.

9. AREA: Feather River

LOCATION: Near new bridge, east of Gridley.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Access to parking, comfort station, picnicking facilities, marina with all facilities for boats and water sports

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: County and Recreation District.

10. AREA: Durham

LOCATION: East of Butte Creek, south of Oroville-Durham Highway.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Extension of existing facilities to include additional field games, swimming pool, picnic, barbecuing, kiddies playground equipment parking areas.

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: County and Recreation District.

11. AREA: Bidwell State Park

LOCATION: East bank of Sacramento River approximately 1-1/2 miles north of Mouth of Chico Creek.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Parking areas, boat ramp and docking, picnic, barbecuing, comfort stations, concessionaire, with Service for boaters, fishermen, tourist, etc. Organization.

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: Recreation District, County, State Department of Parks and Recreation.

12. AREA: Bidwell State Park

LOCATION: Narrow Strip-north and east of Chico along Lindo Channel.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Parking areas, tennis courts, small core rifle range, horseshoe pits, landscaping, putting green.

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: Recreation District, County, State Department Parks and Recreation.

13 AREA: Bidwell City Park

LOCATION: 2,400 acres in the City of Chico and to the east.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Development in accordance as detailed in the Chico General Plan adopted by City of Chico.

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: Bidwell Park Commission, Chico Area Recreation District, County.

14. AREA: Paradise

LOCATION: Including the Whiskey Flat area.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Local park development, including swimming pools, recreation building, picnic and parking areas, putting greens, bowling greens, Better Access Road to Whiskey Flat area, restoration Covered Bridge on Honey Run Road.

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: Forest Service, Recreation District, County.

15. AREA: Butte Meadows

LOCATION: In the norther part of County on Hwy. 32

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Camp sites, parking, picnic, summer home sites, fishing and hunting, trailer spaces, riding and hiking trails, comfort stations, National Forest Primitive Area.

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: Forest Service, County.

16. AREA: Richvale

LOCATION: Western Butte County.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: None.

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: Recreation District and County.

17. AREA: Sank Park Lott Home

LOCATION: Between 3rd and 4th Avenues, Montgomery and Bird Streets, in City of Oroville.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Development of park and museum, area in accordance with General Plan of City of Oroville Park Board.

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: Oroville Park Board, Recreation District, County.

18. AREA: Chinese Temple

LOCATION: Between Broderick and Safford, Elma and Pine streets, in the City of Oroville.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: Development and construction of additional building to house Tapestries, Heirlooms and other Chinese valuables according to a General Plan of the City of Oroville Park Board.

DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES: Oroville Park Board, Recreation District and County.

Figure REC-3, Recreation Element shows golf courses, athletic facilities and historical sites.

That recreational activities be provided which will satisfy the needs and desires of all age groups; pre-school children, school age children, teenagers, adults, and senior citizens.

That sites with outstanding recreational value be reserved for public parks and recreational use to avoid their development with less suitable and beneficial land-uses.

That the County encourage the development of private and commercial recreation facilities--such as golf courses, swimming pools, tennis clubs, camping and boating facilities etc. --in order that they may help meet existing and future leisure time needs.

That the County seek those monies available from the State and Federal Government for the development of recreational facilities.

That the plan include the Chico Area Recreation District in the recreation element of the County Plan.