Hart Park is Bakersfield’s only park along the river, offering nature and recreation for the community. However the park is losing land to erosion along the Kern River. Which has raised concerns among geologists and environmental advocates, who said the natural flow of the river, combined with poor maintenance, is causing the park’s riverbanks to crumble.
Longtime environmental advocate Eddy Laine is calling on local officials to take immediate action with a lasting solution before it gets worse.
Although the erosion issue is not new. In recent years, officials have attempted repairs, but many efforts have failed.
During a recent tour of the park, Laine pointed out severe damage to the riverbank, blaming both high water levels and poor maintenance. He said a $125,000 repair effort from a year and a half ago was poorly done and failed to stop the erosion.
A failed repair effort to help stop the erosion along the Kern River at Hart Park.
Two local scientists, CSU Bakersfield biology professor Dr. Antje Lauer and geologist Dr. Robert Crewdson, also recently visited Hart Park and found that both natural erosion and lack of maintenance are worsening conditions along the riverbank.
CSU Bakersfield biology professor Dr. Antje Lauer (right) and geologist Dr. Robert Crewdson (left) at Hart Park.
“Erosion is a natural process,” said Crewdson. “We have a river running through the park, and in some seasons, it deposits sediment, while at high flow, it erodes the banks.” He said that erosion is worse on the park’s south side, while the private property on the north side remains stable.
Crewsdon explained that north-side landowners have reinforced their riverbank with gravel, rock, and sandbags, while the county-maintained park remains unprotected.
“The embankment on the park side is much steeper,” Lauer added. “This makes it more susceptible to erosion, as the water eats away at the soil and exposes tree roots. You have to work with the river, allowing it to release pressure in a controlled way, rather than fighting against it everywhere.”
CSU Bakersfield geologist professor Dr. Robert Crewdson standing on one of the erosions in Hart Park.
Across the river, Laine also pointed out a properly graded riverbank with large rocks, which has held up against flooding.
“If it’s done right, you don’t have to have this kind of problem,” Laine said.
He believed similar techniques should be used at Hart Park to prevent further land loss.
Lauer and Crewdson also said that culverts near Hart Park Lake divert water back into the river, causing unexpected erosion. “People aren’t aware of these culverts,” Crewdson said, “but they cause their own damage, making it seem like the river itself is the culprit when it’s actually runoff from the park.”
A private property across the river from Hart Park graded the riverbank with rocks to prevent flooding.
Both scientists agree that Hart Park’s erosion problem is due to poor planning and lack of investment in proper restoration.
“It’s an embarrassment,” Crewdson said. “The private landowners across the river are taking care of their side, while the county is neglecting Hart Park. The trail along the river is eroding away, creating hazardous conditions. The entrance to the park is overgrown with weeds.”
Laine also explained the trees along the river would reduce erosion. He said that their root systems help hold the soil in place.
Laine also pointed out that the trees already along the river have survived the erosion unlike areas where the soil had washed away due to a lack of vegetation.
“If you have a good plan and an arborist is involved, they’ll know what kind of trees need to be planted along the river,” he said.
A surviving tree along the river. The tree’s root systems help hold the soil in place around the erosion.
Laine also warned that erosion is creating safety hazards, especially the areas affecting near and on the walking trail along the riverbank. Some areas have become unstable, and broken fencing adds to the risk.
“If I had my fifth-grade class here, one of my students could easily fall and break a leg,” he said.
Environmental advocate Eddy Laine (right) showing his Hart Park tour group one of the visible erosions on the walking trail. He explains that this erosion has occurred within the past two years.
Visible erosion on the walking trail near the riverbank.
One potential solution Laine discussed was the use of gabions, a method used to prevent erosion by placing rocks inside metal mesh containers to reinforce the riverbank.
Laine explained that gabions were used successfully across the river at Round Mountain Road and could help prevent further erosion at Hart Park.
“These structures can be an effective, long-term solution for stabilizing the banks here at Hart Park and preventing further land loss to the river,” he said. “These are proper ways to make sure erosion is controlled.”
Eddy Laine explains to his tour group how gabions are being used successfully across the river at Round Mountain Road and could help prevent further erosion at Hart Park if they are also placed along the riverbank.
Gabions, a metal mesh cage filled with rocks, at Round Mountain Road in Hart Park.
Despite these concerns, Crewsdon said restoration is still possible but will need funding and expert help.
“The entire riverbank doesn’t need to be rebuilt, but problem areas need to be stabilized,” he said. “We should be making the pathways safe for visitors, not just fencing them off and ignoring the problem.”
“This is one of the county’s greatest resources,” Crewdson said. “It deserves to be taken care of.”
