Erosion Line
Community-Built Environmental Art to Raise Awareness
of Trail Erosion in Bidwell Park
Erosion Line: Art + Community
Erosion Line is Bidwell Park’s new one-of-a-kind environmental artwork. It is integrated into trails accessing Monkey Face in Upper Bidwell Park to help people learn about trail erosion.
The first step in finding a solution is recognizing the problem.
Trail erosion is widespread throughout Bidwell Park
Most people don’t know that the geology and natural processes that formed beautiful Chico Creek Canyon also make trails susceptible to erosion. Volcanic bedrock is overlain by a thin layer of topsoil that is easily displaced by normal trail use. Trail erosion makes trails rocky, slippery, and dangerous. It denudes hillsides, harms trees and wildlife, and damages Chico Creek.
Community volunteers make Erosion Line
Everyone aged 8 and up is invited to help .
Volunteers learn how to use traditional sculpting tools to make Erosion Line under the direction of Bidwell Park Artist-in Residence and PALS volunteer Eve Werner. No artistic experience necessary!
Erosion Line marks the existing edge of erosion on trails. It is composed of a repeating motif. Each motif consists of three small holes in a triangle formation.
The motif design is inspired by features found in Bidwell Park such as ancient bedrock mortars . . .
. . . and acorn storage holes made by woodpeckers.
Motifs are carved into volcanic bedrock and boulders that were once covered with topsoil and vegetation but are now exposed by trail erosion.
How to interpret Erosion Line
Motifs point in the direction that erosion is heading.
Originally, when installed, the tips of the motifs touched the edge of soil on trails.
Now, if you see a gap between the tip of a motif and the edge of soil, it means that erosion has worsened.
Register for a two-hour volunteer shift
Erosion Line is 100% community volunteer made! Come help make this one-of-a-kind community artwork!
The more people who participate, the better Erosion Line will be.
https://www.trackitforward.com/site/516384/events/embed
Erosion Line is possible through the generous help and support of the City of Chico Parks and Resource Management team and the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission. A huge shout out to Shane Romain, PRM Director, for making all things administrative possible!
