The Notre Dame Boulevard bridge over Little Chico Creek has been open since its June ribbon cutting. Its new Class I bike path follows the creek's north bank to the Chico Bike Park on Humboldt Road. There the pump track and jump lines are finished, and the park still isn't open to riders.
The bike and walking route from Meriam Park to the six-acre park was finished first. What's left on the site is mostly what drivers need: parking, lighting and landscaping. As of the Chico Area Recreation and Park District's October 22, 2026 board meeting, the opening forecast is "early in 2027."
Camp Fire recovery money paid for the bridge
The bridge cost about $7,286,000, paid with a federal Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery award. The money came from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, was administered by the state's Department of Housing and Community Development, and was awarded to Chico as part of the region's Camp Fire recovery.
The City of Chico's June 8 release lists three pieces in the project:
- A new bridge on Notre Dame Boulevard over Little Chico Creek for cars, bikes and people on foot
- A new Class I bike path on the creek's north bank, running from the bridge to the Chico Bike Park
- Rehabilitation of the existing Little Chico Creek Bike Path on the south bank, from Notre Dame Boulevard east to Bruce Road
KRCR covered the completion after the June 18 ceremony. In its release, the City said the project would improve circulation for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers in southeast Chico. It also said the project would give area residences direct connections to schools, recreation, restaurants, shopping and public services.
Meriam Park sits on both sides of the creek. City planning records describe a 72-acre Meriam Park North phase north of Little Chico Creek, bounded by Bruce Road, Humboldt Road and Notre Dame Boulevard. Other phases of the 270-acre plan lie south of the creek. The North Creek Crossings apartments, a 160-unit community, are already built on the north side. The Bike Park is on Humboldt Road between Forest Avenue and Notre Dame Boulevard, along the same road that forms Meriam Park North's edge. Wherever you live in Meriam Park, the bridge and the north-bank path connect you to it.
What's on the other end of the path
The park sits next to Marsh Junior High. CARD developed it with Chico Velo on land the City of Chico transferred to the district. Chico Velo's project page says the park is privately funded through a generational donation from The Lupine Legacy Foundation.
According to Chico Velo, the riding areas will include:
- A pump track
- Rollers and flow sections
- Slope-style jump lines
- Skinnies and other technical features
- A cross-country trail
- Beginner features
Chico Velo says the park is meant for riders of every skill level, from beginners to advanced. Any non-motorized wheeled device is welcome on the tracks. E-bikes are not, because the park is non-motorized.
Plenty of the park isn't for riding. Chico Velo lists a walking trail, a playground, a picnic area, a concessions building and regularly scheduled live music. CARD's October staff report also mentions a pavilion and picnic shelters next to the concession area. Hours, fees and a full list of rider rules haven't been published yet.
The opening date has moved several times
The project's public timeline shows where the time went:
- December 2024. CARD and Chico Velo unveiled the "Chico Bike Park" name and brand.
- July 16, 2025. CARD held the groundbreaking at the future concessions area on Humboldt Road.
- August 2025. Crews finished grading and clearing the site, placed the first berm and brought in base for the pump track.
- September 2025. The first asphalt went down on the pump track, and partly prefabricated wood jumps were trucked in and finished on site.
- November 2025. Chico Velo reported the pump track and jump lines nearly complete and said the project was on track to open in summer 2026.
- June 2026. The Chico Enterprise-Record reported the park was slated to open at the end of 2026.
- October 22, 2026. CARD's board packet said the track is complete, the remaining site work is underway, and the park is expected to open early in 2027.
Chico Velo's FAQ still lists a tentative November 2026 grand opening, and CARD's own project page still says completion by the end of 2026. The October staff report is the newest of the three, so early 2027 is the date to plan around. It's a forecast, though, and the date has already moved several times.
The November 2025 update explains the delays. Chico Velo wrote that once the technical riding features were done, crews would move on to parking, lighting and landscaping, and that this phase would take the longest. The riding surfaces were nearly finished a year ago. Most of the past year has gone into the work that gets drivers parked, lights up the site and plants the grounds. For anyone using the creek path, the route was finished in June.
Who may run the coffee and beer
CARD planned food and drinks from the start. The October 22 board packet says the site plan includes a food and beverage concession area next to the pavilion and picnic shelters. Staff wrote that it is "intended to give families and spectators a reason to stay, generate revenue that offsets operating costs, and support the park's role as a regional destination."
The board's October 22 agenda included two proposed concession agreements. Both came to the board as staff recommendations, with approval listed as the requested action.
- Ramble West Brewing Company. The tenant is Chico Creek Brewing, LLC. Under the proposed lease, it would have exclusive space in the concession building, share seating and some equipment with Lovebird and the food truck operators, and hold the exclusive right to book the food truck spaces. The company's taproom is at 849 West 8th Street in Chico. Its website introduces brewer Ryan Eley as a Paradise native.
- Lovebird Coffee. CARD staff also recommended a concession agreement with this Chico coffee business. According to Chico State's June 2026 announcement, Lovebird runs the café in the university's BSS building and brings a mobile trailer to Thursday Night Market. A 2025 Chico State notice also listed a Friday trailer stop in Meriam Park.
The proposed Ramble West lease in that staff report shows how CARD set up the business side. The first term is twelve months, with one possible five-year extension. Rent is $10,000 or 15 percent of gross revenue, whichever is greater, plus utility and garbage fees. CARD would keep the right to rent the whole event space for private events and would keep those rental fees. Any expansion of alcohol service or of the licensed area would need CARD's approval. The staff report hasn't published menus or vendor start dates.
Where it fits with the rest of Meriam Park
Meriam Park's daytime spots have filled in over the past year. The climbing gym in the Tank District added a daytime reason to be in the neighborhood, and The Barn's evening calendar has been a social anchor for years. The Bike Park would add outdoor space just across the creek, with a pump track, a playground, a walking trail, picnic shelters and live music. The creek path connecting it to Meriam Park is already open.
Until CARD sets an opening day, the north-bank path to the park and the rehabilitated south-bank path to Bruce Road are open to walk or ride now. The opening date, hours and final concession decisions will come from CARD, so chicorec.gov is the page to watch over the winter.
At Lora Trenner, we keep track of changes like this new bridge, path and park at the edge of the neighborhood. If you're wondering how they might affect your street, or what your Meriam Park home is worth with them nearby, get your instant home valuation and we'll go through it with you.
