Cultural and Natural Resources
Issue Issue Summary Desired Outcome Strategies Recommendations Cultural and Historic
Preservation
The City has 15 designated historic
resources in the Bakersfield Register of
Historic Places and National Register of
Historic Places, and significant historic
and cultural areas not officially listed.
According to stakeholder input, many
potentially historic buildings are
demolished instead of repurposed.
Historic preservation ensures that
future generations will see and
experience the legacy left behind by
past generations.
Opportunities to celebrate and
preserve the city's cultural and
historical heritage.
1. Celebrate the City's Heritage:
Celebrate the city's historic and cultural
heritage to acknowledge and foster a
sense of identity, pride, and unity
among residents and preserve the
intangible traditions, customs, and
historical narratives of the community.
Moreover, celebrating and showcasing
the city’s heritage attracts visitors and
promotes tourism, contributing to the
city's economic vitality.
1.A. At least once every five years, update the local register of designated cultural places, historic districts, and areas of historic interest to capture any changes to properties or areas currently on the list, and identify any properties or areas that should be added or boundaries modified.
1.B. Create an online, interactive map that showcases identified historic and cultural locations with current and historic information about the site.
1.C. Adopt a historic context statement to serve as an official guiding document for the identification, evaluation, and conservation of the city's historic and cultural resources. The Historic Context Statement will provide a framework to better understand the historical significance of properties, districts, and cultural sites, thereby informing future planning and decision- making processes related to preservation and development.
1.D. Work with the Historic Preservation Commission to develop a methodology for identifying and safeguarding neighborhoods that are defined by intangible cultural assets, including non-physical assets such as customs and practices, art, beliefs, languages, folklore, and food.
1.E. Determine the applicability of a Legacy Business Registry to save longstanding, community-serving businesses that often serve as valuable cultural assets.
1.F. Maintain a formal partnership with local organizations that can contribute to the knowledge, education, and maintenance of Bakersfield’s historic and cultural heritage.
1.G. Partner with local artists to strengthen the role of public art and enhance the visual image of Bakersfield.
1.H. Work with the Historic Preservation Commission and local organizations to organize heritage tours and workshops to share knowledge on the city’s historic landmarks and cultural heritage.
1.I. Partner with the School Districts to create school programs and events that promote local history and culture, fostering an appreciation for preservation among young people.
1.J. Implement programs to document and digitize the city’s historic records, oral histories, and cultural artifacts, ensuring they are accessible for research and public education.
Cultural and Natural Resources
2. Adaptive Reuse: Promote adaptive
reuse of historic buildings to ensure
their continued relevance and preserve
important aspects of the city’s past.
Encourage the conversion of heritage
structures into functional spaces, such
as museums, galleries, or community
centers, while preserving their
architectural and historical significance.
2.A. Encourage the adaptive reuse of historic structures for new purposes, such as converting old warehouses into community centers or housing, while preserving the original architectural features.
2.B. Provide property tax abatements, grant assistance, or other incentives to encourage property owners to restore and maintain historic properties.
2.C. Provide technical assistance through city staff or partner organizations, offering guidance to property owners and developers on best practices for preserving architectural features during adaptive reuse.
2.D. Designate specific areas of the city as adaptive reuse districts where historic buildings are concentrated, and apply applicable zoning and design regulations to facilitate their reuse.
Kern River Natural Resources: The Kern River is a
vital natural resource that supports
habitat, local agriculture, recreation,
and urban water needs. It plays a
crucial role in groundwater recharge,
as much of the river's flow is diverted
into canals and spreading basins to
replenish the aquifer beneath
Bakersfield. However, this often leaves
the riverbed dry during parts of the
year, raising ecological concerns, such
as habitat loss for wildlife. Additionally,
water rights disputes, drought, and
over-allocation threaten the long-term
sustainability of the Kern River's
resources. Efforts to balance
agricultural demands, urban growth,
and environmental preservation
remain ongoing challenges for the
region.
A thriving ecosystem centered
around the Kern River and its
natural assets.
3. Kern River Preservation: Implement
the Kern River Parkway Management
Plan and ensure the continued
maintenance and stewardship of the
river’s vital natural resources.
3.A. In partnership with knowledgeable community partners, identify site selection criteria and annually identify sites to improve naturalization and habitat restoration or maintenance.
3.B. Review and update, as needed, the Kern River Parkway Management Plan every five years to ensure that the plan stays current with existing water conservation policy and integrates new techniques over time.
3.C. As guided by the Kern River Parkway Management Plan, develop a coordinated natural areas maintenance plan that includes actions to allow natural species and ecosystems to thrive.
3.D. Coordinate with the Kern River Watershed Coalition Authority, Kern River Watermaster, and State Water Resources Control Board to prepare and implement an integrated pest management plan for pesticide use along the Kern River to minimize pollution runoff into the river, provide an ecosystem-focused approach to management, and reduce potential health impacts of pesticide use.
3.E. Invest in ecological restoration projects along the Kern River to enhance habitat for wildlife and improve biodiversity, even during dry periods.
3.F. Develop strategies to address the impacts from long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, including variability in water availability, through scenario planning and investments in resilient infrastructure.
Recreation and Access: The Kern River
Parkway is a significant recreational
asset to the city and region, providing
natural open space and park access as
Improved trail access and safety,
more recreation opportunities,
improved wayfinding and signage,
and amenities such as shade,
seating, and trailheads.
4. Connected and Accessible
Recreation Areas: Use the Kern River
Parkway Plan, Active Transportation
Plan, and Recreation & Parks Master
Plan to maximize recreational access
4.A. Identify opportunities for newly developed trails throughout the city to connect to the Kern River Parkway, as described in the Kern River Parkway Plan, Active Transportation Plan, and Recreation & Parks Master Plan. Consider mapping possible connections to refer to for land use and trail planning decisions.
Cultural and Natural Resources
well as trails and camping. The
Parkway is owned, managed,
and maintained by several different
public, nonprofit, and private agencies
and jurisdictions, each
with different management goals.
Additionally, residents have expressed
concerns regarding safety, facility
maintenance, and illegal camping.
Strategies to address these concerns
have been included in the recently
completed Kern River Parkway
Management Plan, and therefore not
repeated here.
through improved trail connectivity,
clean and safe recreation areas, and
amenities that serve all residents and
visitors.
Open Space Habitat and
Connectivity
Rewilding Opportunities and Habitat
Connectivity: SB 1425 and AB 1889
direct jurisdictions to identify
opportunities for rewilding, and to
include strategies for improving
wildlife mobility and connectivity in
the General Plan.
Identified areas for potential
rewilding opportunities, such as
naturalizing park space, applying
biophilic principles to projects, and
strategies to integrate key habitat
areas into the built environment.
5. Data Driven Decisions For
Naturalization: Use existing
environmental data to maximize
naturalization of critical areas, improve
connectivity, and implement existing
management plans.
5.A. As part of implementation of the Recreation & Parks Master Plan, develop criteria for incorporating naturalization areas in existing and newly developed parks. This could include having a naturalized area in developed parks for habitat protection, groundwater recharge, and wildlife passage using methods such as informational native plant gardens, native plants landscaping, and naturalized areas set aside in developed parks.
5.B. As identified multi-use trail projects are constructed as outlined in the Active Transportation Plan, identify opportunities to contribute to rewilding along trail alignments through native and natural landscaping, naturalization of trail right-of-ways, and consideration of wildlife movement.
5.C. Protect special-status species through regular site surveys for new projects in identified habitat areas, construction monitoring in locations a special status species is likely to occur, and relocation when necessary to prevent unnecessary take of species.
5.D. Coordinate with the County to review and potentially update the Metropolitan Bakersfield Habitat Conservation Plan.
5.E. Use GIS data and available data tools to identify key areas where parks, tree canopies, and river corridors can connect to form a cohesive network of open spaces. This network should be multi- beneficial to serve wildlife connectivity, natural habitat management, recreation, and climate resilience goals.
5.F. Conduct necessary ecological assessments in order to identify and map critical habitat linkages, and use this mapping tool to ensure protection and improved connectivity through land use decisions and development requirements.
Cultural and Natural Resources
5.G. When evaluating tree plantings and implementation of the Central City & Citywide Tree Plan, consider local habitat and potentially present species in the selection of trees and vegetation for the specified area.
5.H. Identify options and funding for replacing nonfunctional turf with naturalized, drought-tolerant landscaping.
Open Space and Park Access:
The Recreation & Parks Master Plan
highlights Bakersfield's shortage of
park space and limited access
compared to cities of similar size. This
disparity is particularly evident in
certain areas of the city, including
designated Environmental Justice (EJ)
Communities, which face greater
barriers to accessing parks and open
spaces. These strategies and
recommendations aim to build on the
ones in the Recreation & Parks master
Plan, improving access and fostering a
citywide, integrated approach to open
space and park availability.
Equitable access to parks and open
space for all residents
6. Park Provision for Areas Most in
Need: Prioritize parkland gap areas
identified in Recreation & Parks Master
Plan for development of new parks.
6.A. Prioritize park acquisition and development in the gap areas identified in the Recreation & Parks Master Plan, including Southeast Bakersfield.
6.B. Coordinate with developers to set aside and develop new parks in new residential areas, or to include publicly accessible private open space or recreation opportunities.
6.C. Discuss opportunities with school districts to expand joint-use agreements that ensure public access to school recreation facilities, especially in unserved gap areas where the acquisition and development of additional parks is not feasible.
6.D. Explore opportunities to provide small footprint facilities on partner sites and small park properties where larger parks are not feasible. These can leverage small existing greenspaces, such as unused lawn or space around schools, libraries, fire stations, utility corridors, etc.
6.E. Identify opportunities for the reuse of existing land in older and underserved communities to incorporate green spaces through non-traditional urban greening efforts such as pocket-parks, green plazas, and natively landscaped public spaces.
Resiliency: Parks and open spaces are
not only vulnerable to future climate
changes and hazard events but also
hold the potential to enhance
community resilience. By strategically
utilizing the City's network of parks
and open spaces, there is a valuable
opportunity to advance broader
climate adaptation and hazard
mitigation goals.
7. Open Space Management for
Climate Resilience: Identify
opportunities to use open space and
natural resources management to
mitigate climate impacts and improve
the City’s resiliency to hazards.
7.A. Prioritize tree planting and urban greening in areas with the lowest Tree Equity Scores or comparable metric, in alignment with the updated Central City & Citywide Tree Plan.
7.B. Work with the Tree Advisory Committee, once established, to develop a recommended tree list for private and commercial land.
7.C. Consider future changes to flood and drought risks focused on the Kern River when updating related plans and programs.
7.D. When identifying and developing future parks and open space, consider locations and features that will maximize carbon capture, floodwater management, and urban heat reduction.
8. Leverage Grant Funding: Leverage
local resources and align with state and
federal priorities to direct grant
procurement opportunities.
8.A. Develop strong partnerships with local conservation organizations and academic institutions to strengthen applications with expertise and community connections.
8.B. Monitor State and federal priorities and funding streams to take advantage of available grants, such as those for climate resilience, community partnerships, and holistic conservation planning efforts.
Cultural and Natural Resources
8.C. Regularly review and update plans and programs to ensure they reflect modern conservation priorities and initiatives.
8.D. Develop a detailed list of target projects, including budgets and timelines, to expedite application development and ensure Bakersfield is competitive.
8.E. Set aside monies in an established fund to leverage for matching grants and have monies available when opportunities arise for new land acquisition that aligns with the City’s parks and open space goals.
Water Quality Drinking water in Bakersfield for those
on municipal water meets or exceeds
the state and federal standards for
water quality. However, challenges
due to pollution runoff and concerns
with well water safety. Urban runoff
from streets, agriculture, and industrial
areas introduces pollutants such as
pesticides, fertilizers, oils, and heavy
metals into waterways, including the
Kern River and local canals. These
contaminants can degrade aquatic
ecosystems and affect the water used
for agriculture and recreation.
Additionally, the region's reliance on
groundwater raises concerns about
well water quality, as substances
considered safe at smaller
concentrations may become harmful
as the water table depletes during
drought conditions. Contamination
from human activity can also
contaminate well water and pose risks
to human health.
Safe household water for all
Bakersfield residents.
9. Pollution Reduction: Use planning,
permitting, and site planning to reduce
pollution runoff and groundwater
infiltration.
9.A. Regularly assess the usage and types of pesticides and herbicides on City-owned parks and other City-owned landscaped areas such as medians and parkways, publicly accessible open spaces, and near schools.
9.B. Minimize runoff from roadways through strategies such as, but not limited to, roadway greening, adding stormwater
retention/detention ponds, or sediment traps.
9.C. Establish partnerships with community organizations that focus on natural resources and water conservation to work collaboratively and identify opportunities for public-led water resource stewardship.
9.D. Create accessible, multi-lingual community education on water contaminants, and promote usage of the city-based community hotline to report water quality issues.
9.E. Continue working with local organizations that establish interim solutions for poor water quality, such as water bottle programs, vouchers for hotels or alternate places to shower. Partner with the organizations to promote awareness on these services.
9.F. Work with local community groups and businesses to host manual cleanup of water bodies.
9.G. Establish a baseline of how many households are affected by water quality and prioritize improvements for households that need it most.