Rotary Centennial Park

A Bit of Backstory

Located in the northeast corner of Chico, California, Rotary Centennial Park was developed in 2020-2021 on a five-acre plot that had remained undeveloped for three decades.

Chico's growing population, including many new faces who relocated after the devastating 2018 Camp Fire, along with the sprouting of new homes and apartments nearby, finally gave this land its purpose.

Behind the Name

Wondering about that name? The park proudly carries the title Rotary Centennial Park as a nod to 100 years of Rotary's presence in Butte County. Both the Noon Rotary and Sunrise Rotary clubs of Chico have poured their support into this green space, with the Chico Area Recreation and Park District (CARD) taking the lead on development.

What You'll Find

This peaceful neighborhood retreat offers a clean, quiet escape with some nice recreational options. Basketball enthusiasts will appreciate the basketball court with its freshly refinished flooring that gives it a modern feel.

You'll also find picnic tables meant for a family lunch or catching up with friends. Need to stretch your legs? The park offers generous open grassy areas ideal for casual games, a quick workout, or just soaking up some sunshine.

Kid-Friendly Zone

The playground is a highlight of the park. The Rotary Club of Chico Sunrise not only funded the playground equipment but also helped install it, including a Climbing Spinner designed with younger children's safety in mind.

Kids have their choice of two sets of swings - tiny ones for the littlest visitors and regular swings for the bigger kids. There's a whimsical caterpillar climbing structure, various slides for different ages, and a T-Rex dinosaur feature that never fails to delight the smaller explorers.

All this equipment was thoughtfully selected to encourage active play while helping kids build strength in a safe environment.

Extra Touches

Book lovers might stumble upon the park's Little Free Library, where you can borrow a read or leave one behind for the next visitor - a lovely touch that adds some literary charm to your outdoor time.

And yes, your four-legged friend is welcome too! The park is pet-friendly for dogs on leashes, so the whole family can enjoy an outing together.

The Latest Addition

In 2023, the park welcomed a meaningful new feature: the Ann Willmann Playground, named in honor of the former CARD General Manager who was instrumental in bringing this park to life.

What was once an empty lot has now become a neighborhood park enjoyed by many local families.