October 16, 2023

 The Chico Area Recreation & Park District (CARD) celebrated a noteworthy milestone last week as it officially welcomed the charming 1.3-acre Emerson Park to its growing list of Neighborhood Parks. Nestled behind Little Chico Creek Elementary School on the northeast corner of Hartford and Bedford Drive, Emerson Park enhances the recreational landscape for nearby residents.

The park was formerly maintained by the City of Chico, with ownership and maintenance now transferring to CARD. Emerson Park boasts a variety of amenities including concrete picnic tables featuring built-in chessboards for intellectual bouts, a grassy area for games and gatherings, barbecues for family picnics, a children's play area, and comfortable benches for relaxation. Excitingly, this park is currently open to the public, with ongoing construction just behind the park indicating a promising 2-acre expansion in the near future on the north side of property.

Scott Schumann, Director of Parks and Facilities at CARD, expressed his enthusiasm for the park's expansion.

“Emerson Park holds great promise for our community,” said Schumann. “We’re excited to take over management of the park and the forthcoming expansion will create 3.1 acres of beautiful parkland with the bike path flowing nicely between the North and South parcels. The future parkland will offer even more recreational opportunities for the community with a large open grass space added to the northern portion of park.”

Emerson Park is the second of three Neighborhood Parks in the Meriam Park development to be adopted by CARD this year, as part of a broader initiative, with Dan Gonzalez Construction Organization.

“Reflecting on the momentous undertaking, Schumann shared, "The partnership between CARD, the City of Chico, and the Meriam Park development exemplifies our commitment to providing enriching opportunities for the Chico community. These parks symbolize more than just green spaces; they embody a vision of wellbeing through recreation in our community."

Visit Emerson Park, located behind Little Chico Creek Elementary School on the northeast corner of Hartford and Bedford Drive. For more CARD updates, visit ChicoRec.gov and follow CARD on Facebook and @ChicoRec on Instagram.

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About Chico Area Recreation & Park District

Founded in 1948, the Chico Area Recreation & Park District (CARD) is a California Special District focused on creating recreational opportunities that bring friends and families together to have fun and build lasting memories. CARD manages and cares for more than 12 community and neighborhood parks, four community centers, one swimming pool, the Chico Creek Nature Center, and other facilities. The PLAY Activity Guide highlights the numerous sports, classes, camps, special events, and more CARD offers. Learn more about CARD at www.ChicoRec.gov.