Bidwell Parks and the Homeless

We interviewed Anna Moore and Lise Smith, members of the Bidwell Parks and Recreation Commission in Chico. Our interview was sparked by an excellent letter they wrote to the  Chico Enterprise Record, regarding homeless camping in Bidwell Park. Unlike many, they do not call for the homeless to be rousted; instead they urge the city to create a campground where the homeless can safely live. The City thus far has dodged the issue, and Chico's newly installed conservative City Council is looking toward enforcement and issuing misdemeanor citations rather than helping the homeless. In addition to exploring this issue, Lise and Anna also filled us in on other issues facing the commission, from access to fire danger to funding.