Construction on the Meriam Park project in South Chico is causing some concern on the playground of nearby Little Chico Creek Elementary School. The construction site contains a number of snakes that are now being displaced by construction. Now it appears the snakes are making their way onto the playground in greater numbers than in previous years.
Project Manager Roderick Mummert told Action News "certainly now during the construction process you're going to have some activity because they're going to be shaken out."
The snakes live in the grassy area from Bruce Road to the back of Little Chico Creek Elementary, and have gradually slithered their way closer to the school. Mummert said "we've found three of them, and showed them their new home, which is a little further away from the school, and I think it'll all be good."
Because Little Chico Creek's backyard terrain, snakes have always been an issue. Over the long haul, the Meriam Park project will create a buffer from snakes to the school yard. Little Chico Creek Elementary School Principal Suzanne Michelony said "over in the grassy area, way out there in the corner, that's been our problem. There's going to be a nice park there, so the problem will probably heal itself."
Although no rattlesnakes have been found, Action News learned that they do inhabit areas similar to that landscape. Park Ranger Jessica Erdah tells me she wouldn't be surprised to find rattlers in that area. Students have been told to keep away from any snake they see and report it to the yard duty teacher immediately.
