6.2: Low Cost and No Cost Community Resources
- Page ID
- 65722
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)There are many resources available in communities throughout California. The local recreation department or YMCA might have opportunities that would help meet some PCP goals.
Here are examples of no cost and low cost activities in the Bakersfield area.
ChatGPT and other gen-AI tools can help with ideas for community connections.
Below is what ChatGPT produced, with some editing and updates, when prompted to, "Create a list of low cost or no cost resources in Bakersfield to build community and increase happiness."
Here's a curated list of low-cost and free resources in Bakersfield that can help people build community, improve well-being, reduce isolation, and increase happiness. I've organized them by the research-backed factors that contribute to happiness: connection, purpose, movement, learning, creativity, nature, and service.
🤝 Community & Social Connection
Libraries (FREE)
Kern County Library
- Book clubs
- Craft nights
- Adult education
- Movie nights
- Technology classes
- Language conversation groups
- Family events
- Volunteer opportunities
Branches throughout Bakersfield and the surrounding communities.
Shafter Learning Center
The best, most welcoming library and community learning space... at least in Kern County.
Community Recreation Centers
City of Bakersfield Recreation and Parks Department
Offers:
- Pickleball
- Walking clubs
- Senior activities
- Fitness classes
- Community events
- Holiday celebrations
Many programs are free or under $20.
Farmers Markets
Great place for social interaction without needing to purchase much.
Examples include:
- Kaiser Farmers Market
- Haggin Oaks Farmers Market
Coffee Meetups
Local coffee shops often host:
- Open mic nights
- Bible studies
- Business networking
- Game nights
Examples include independent cafés around downtown and southwest Bakersfield.
🌳 Nature & Outdoor Activities
River Walk Park
The Park at River Walk
FREE
- Walking
- Sunset watching
- Bird watching
- Community events
- Outdoor concerts
Panorama Park
Panorama Park
- Scenic overlooks
- Walking paths
- Picnics
- Frisbee
- Photography
Kern River Parkway Trail
Kern River Parkway Trail
Miles of paved trail for
- Walking
- Running
- Cycling
Wind Wolves Preserve
Wind Wolves Preserve
FREE
Excellent for
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
- Wildflowers
- Photography
- Guided hikes
Hart Memorial Park
Hart Memorial Park
Great for
- Picnics
- Fishing
- Walking
- Family gatherings
🚶 Walking Groups
Many neighborhoods organize informal walking groups through:
- Meetup
- Nextdoor
Walking with others is one of the easiest ways to build friendships.
🚴 Active Living
Pickleball
Several public courts offer free play.
Popular locations:
- Jastro Park
- Greenacres Park
- Silver Creek Park
Disc Golf
FREE after purchasing discs.
Courses include:
- Truxtun Park
- Hart Park
- Silver Creek Park
Cycling Clubs
Local recreational rides welcome beginners.
🎨 Creativity
Bakersfield Museum of Art
Bakersfield Museum of Art
- Low-cost admission
- Free family days
- Workshops
- Community exhibits
Paint Nights
Often held at:
- Libraries
- Churches
- Recreation centers
Many are free.
Community Theater
Stars Theatre Restaurant
Volunteer opportunities:
- Ushers
- Stage crew
- Set construction
- Acting
🎵 Music
Free concerts:
- River Walk
- Downtown events
- Church performances
- School concerts
Join a community choir or church music group.
📚 Learning
Community Colleges in Kern County
Bakersfield, Taft, Cerro Coso, Porterville, and all their satellites
Low-cost and no cost options
- Community education
- Personal enrichment
- Lectures
- Cultural events
Adult School
Kern Adult Education
Offers:
- Languages
- Computer skills
- GED
- Career exploration
- Citizenship
Many classes are free.
💕 Volunteering
Research consistently shows volunteering increases happiness.
Opportunities include:
CAPK
- Food distribution
- Community events
Habitat for Humanity Golden Empire
- Build homes
- Retail store volunteering
Animal Shelters
Volunteer to:
- Walk dogs
- Socialize cats
- Adoption events
Faith Communities
Many churches, temples, mosques, and synagogues host:
- Support groups
- Potluck dinners
- Hiking groups
- Young adult groups
- Senior lunches
- Choirs
Most activities are free.
❤️ Disability-Inclusive Community Opportunities
Many organizations welcome people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families:
- The Arc of Bakersfield
- Kern Regional Center community events
- Special Olympics Southern California local programs
- Self-Advocacy groups
- Parent support groups
- Inclusive recreation programs
🧘 Wellness
Free or low-cost options include:
- Community yoga in the park
- Meditation groups
- Walking meditation
- Library mindfulness classes
🎲 Games & Hobbies
Look for groups featuring:
- Board games
- Chess
- Dungeons & Dragons
- Photography
- Gardening
- Quilting
- Knitting
Many meet at libraries or community centers.
🎉 Annual Free Events
Examples include:
- Christmas Parade
- Downtown street fairs
- Cultural festivals
- Art walks
- Fourth of July celebrations
- Holiday tree lighting
- Outdoor movie nights
🌱 Simple Daily Happiness Habits (Free)
Research suggests these habits can have a meaningful impact on well-being:
- Walk 20–30 minutes outside.
- Call or text a friend.
- Visit a local park.
- Read at the library.
- Write down three things you're grateful for.
- Listen to live music.
- Volunteer for an hour.
- Attend a free community event.
- Learn something new.
- Eat lunch with someone instead of alone.
Add a A "Happiness Challenge" in Bakersfield (or your town)
- A community living coach or community integrator could help facilitate these weekly activities to explore the community.
- A participant could use a schedule like this to coordinate a weekly social group
- A participant could practice transportation to safely arrive at each community event.
There are countless ways community participation can address people goals.
Try one activity each week:
| Week | Activity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walk at River Walk Park | Free |
| 2 | Attend a library event | Free |
| 3 | Visit a farmers market | Free to browse |
| 4 | Volunteer at a local nonprofit | Free |
| 5 | Explore Wind Wolves Preserve | Free |
| 6 | Play pickleball at a public court | Free (if you have equipment) |
| 7 | Attend a community concert | Free |
| 8 | Join a book club or hobby group | Free |
This mix of outdoor activity, social connection, learning, creativity, and volunteering aligns well with what positive psychology research has found to be the strongest contributors to long-term happiness.
**Tech hint: This is where generative artifical intelligence tools, like ChatGPT, can help with planning.