Upper Ridge Community Council

— THE UPPER RIDGE — Magalia Community Center–beacon for the Upper Ridge and beyond

The Magalia Community Center at 13917 South Park Drive opened its doors in the Summer of 2021 in response to the need for a public gathering place for all neighborhoods of Magalia and the Upper Ridge postCamp Fire. The Community Center is a project of Magalia Community Park, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization which leases the 40 acres and two buildings that were formerly home to the Paradise Pines Golf Course. As the pandemic has slowly faded, the ability to gather once again has allowed the Center to fulfill important plans that had been on the drawing board for nearly two years. These plans include offering a place for the community to come together for special meetings and presentations essential to the recovery and rebuilding of Magalia, developing new youth activities programs for the many students who live on the Upper Ridge, and providing an additional recreational venue for the Upper Ridge, and by extension, serving areas beyond Magalia. The Community Center and greater park project, which includes South Pines Disc Golf, is almost entirely volunteer-

driven and has enjoyed great community support at its fundraising and community events. The Center offers adult and senior exercise classes through Paradise Stronger, hosts pancake breakfasts, summer concerts and holiday-themed events, and is developing additional programs to help residents with mental health and wellness, fire safety awareness and education, and more programs for kids and teens. A popular market Volunteers whip up a pancake breakfast, one of the many events held at the Magalia Community Center. showcasing local artisans and produce vendors also takes place weekly. The main building, which consists of a meeting hall and restrooms, is available for rent for birthday parties, wedding receptions, baby showers, reunions, club meetings, and more. Many more activities are in the works. If you would like to jump in and help bring the community together, whatever your talents might be, Magalia Community Park welcomes you to contact them anytime at 530-413-9158 or by email at info@ magaliacommunitypark.org. Follow their Facebook page for all the latest happenings, @Magalia Community Park.

URCC plans for the future and gives a voice to the Upper Ridge

By Chris Rauen

Member of the Upper Ridge Community Council Executive Committee

The Upper Ridge Community Council (URCC) is an advocacy organization that serves a vital function as the primary information and community feedback hub for the communities located on the Upper Ridge, including Magalia, Stirling City, Nimshew, DeSabla and Lovelock. Priority areas of focus include: wildfire safety and evacuation, emergency communications systems, building a town center, and access to health care and an emergency room. URCC’s monthly meetings give residents a wealth of information, including both citizens and officials who are directly involved in the betterment of quality of life for Upper Ridge residents and who play a major role in the recovery of Magalia. Regular speakers include Supervisor Doug Teeter, officials from Butte County Department of Development Services, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, Paradise Unified School District, Butte County Fire Safe Council, Paradise Recreation and Park District, and the Paradise Pines Property Owners Association. Special presentations have included: information about the Upper Ridge Community Plan, past and current Presidents of Adventist Health to provide updates on

the status of the Feather River ER and hospital, Butte County Sheriff Emergency Communications program (Alert FM), and PG&E representatives as we move closer to the undergrounding of utilities in lower Magalia. The URCC worked in partnership with Butte County to develop the Upper Ridge Community Plan as part of the Butte County General Plan in 2021. The organization was awarded a “Ridge Rising Award” by the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce for direct response to needs of the community during the immediate aftermath of the Camp Fire, and efforts to connect community and enhance quality of life on the Upper Ridge. The URCC was also recognized as representative of the communities of Magalia, Lovelock, Nimshew and Stirling City (Upper Ridge) in a resolution passed by The Butte County Board of Supervisors. The URCC holds community meetings on the last Thursday of the month from 6-8 p.m. at the Magalia Community Center and via Zoom. Meetings are open to the public. Information about upcoming meetings is available on Facebook (Upper Ridge Community Council). 18............................................................................................................... PARADISE RISING Resource Guide for the Ridge 2022/23