Erosion Line
Community-Built Environmental Art to Raise Awareness
of Trail Erosion in Bidwell Park
Erosion Line is an environmental artwork that is integrated into the Manzanita and Maidu trails in Bidwell Park, Chico, CA. Small motifs—three holes arranged in a triangle—are carved into exposed bedrock at the edge of the trails.
When made, the motifs touch the exiting soil line.
Over time, continued erosion forms a widening gap between motif and soil line, making environmental change visible and measurable.
The motif design echoes existing visual forms in the park, including ancient bedrock mortars . . .
. . . and woodpecker-excavated granary trees, linking the artwork to longer histories of human and ecological presence in the landscape.
Community volunteers use hand tools to create the Erosion Line motifs in previously vegetated areas, where stone has recently been exposed through the interaction of human use and natural processes.
Everyone aged 8 and up is invited to help, no experience necessary! Learn how to make this one-of-a-kind environmental artwork with Bidwell Park Artist-in Residence and PALS volunteer Eve Werner.
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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!
