Caper Acres
CHICO >> Ever wonder why fairy tale-themed children’s playground Caper Acres was named that?
In 1958, the city of Chico held a contest looking for the perfect name for the playground, according to Assistant Park and Natural Resources Manager Shane Romain.
Carla Norlie, 10, submitted the name Caper Acres and won the contest. Norlie won $5.
Norlie and her family still reside in Chico, Romain said.
In 1957, the concept of the popular playground was talked about with the Chico Women’s Club and the city of Chico. Fundraising for the playground began in 1959. In 1964, the Humpty Dumpty wall and other features begin to take shape which led to the opening in 1970, according to the caperacreschico.com website.
The playground has experienced some vandalism from people and damage from Mother Nature over the years. Several members of the community have donated to repairing the playground.
In January 2017, the crooked house was destroyed by a falling tree and was rebuilt.
Romain said the shade structure project for the Nico play area was completed in 2022.
“There was never shade at the playground, and it was really brutal for the little ones,” Romain said. “We worked with donors and got the structure done.”
Romain said the playground is experiencing an ongoing renovation project piece by piece as the parks department gets funding. The next order of business is remodeling the bathrooms.
“It’s very needed,” Romain said.
Romain also said the fencing needs to be redone, as well as some other playground features.
Romain said if anyone from the community would like to donate to the remodeling projects for Caper Acres, they can email parkinfo@chicoca.gov.