Small mountain community 55 miles from Redding
Johnson Park is a small community 3 miles north of Burney, which is a small city in itself, 55 miles northeast of Redding. This area sees more hikers than residents on a yearly basis because of its proximity to the Pacific Crest Trail and viral destinations like Burney Falls. “We’ve got just enough here for hikers to rest up and have their stuff mailed here along their trip,” says Jill Barnett, president of the Burney Chamber of Commerce and Realtor with High Country Real Estate since 2008. While hikers come and go, the community itself hasn’t changed much. “It’s been a sawmill town for generations, and I’m one of the few that wasn’t born and raised here,” Barnett says. “Newcomers get confused when I talk about needing a few cords of wood to get through the winter, but locals are used to every home having a wood-burning stove and getting their bundles from the wood dealer; it’s part of life.”
The Pacific Crest Trail and Burney Falls
The trails and outdoor landmarks around Johnson Park are more well-known than the community itself. Residents can walk to forest trails at the end of their streets for daily hikes. They can also drive a few miles to more extensive mountain trails on Highway 299 or Highway 89. Most notable is the Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches from Canada to Mexico and is accessible 4 miles northeast of most homes here. This section of the trail traverses the Cascade Mountains. Its great length makes it popular for multi-day hiking and camping trips. Burney Falls is accessible 8 miles north, either by driving on Highway 89 or hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail. This waterfall is hidden by dense forest before emerging like an oasis in the trees. Multiple streams cast down its rocky face, creating a pool of sapphire blue water at the bottom where folks can swim. This famous destination among outdoor enthusiasts attracts over 250,000 annual visitors. Residents drive down to Burney to use community park spaces like the playground and Little League fields next to Burney Elementary.
Cottages, cabins and ranch-style homes in the pines
Johnson Park’s residential streets extend straight off either side of Highway 299. Old cabins, cottages, ranch-style and manufactured homes are nestled in little clearings in the pine trees. “A new home here is 20 years old,” says Barnett. “Most were built around the turn of the century when the sawmills started up.” A few older 1950s homes still have natural pine-board exteriors, and almost all homes have a wood-burning stove regardless of age. These heat sources have been lost to time in most places, but they’re still used to quickly warm up the small homes of Johnson Park. Prices range from $100,000 to $250,000.
Students head to Burney for school
The closest schools are 3 miles away in Burney. They’re part of the Fall River Joint Unified School District, which is rated a B-minus overall by Niche. Kids begin at Burney Elementary, graded a C. Burney Junior and Senior High School serves students from seventh through twelfth grade, earning a B-minus. Burney High has less than 300 total students and a 16-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio, compared to the national average of 17-to-1.
Burgers and dogs at Chatty Kathy’s
Johnson Park has almost no commercial activity. In fact, Chatty Kathy’s is the lone neighborhood eatery. Chatty Kathy’s has been run by Kathy and her team of women since 1999. Its bright red and white exterior signals a throwback to classic small-town Americana. Folks order their burgers, hot dogs and soft-serve cones from the walk-up window and enjoy their meal at the picnic tables out back. Burney has grocery stores and a few more restaurants. The Rex Club has been a Burney establishment since 1938. It still looks like an old hunting lodge, with a natural wood exterior and taxidermy on the walls. They also have rooms for traveling hikers. Alpine Drive Inn, across the street, is another burger and milkshake joint. The Grocery Outlet on the north side of Burney is the closest place for necessities.
Commute on Highway 299
Highway 299 is the main artery of Johnson Park, running through the community's residential streets. Many locals take 299 to Burney for work at two major lumber mills: Shasta Green and Sierra Pacific Industries. Mayers Memorial Hospital is another regional employer, about 15 miles northeast in Fall River Mills. Residents also take Highway 299 almost 60 miles southwest to Redding, where they can shop at large malls and big-box retailers they don’t have in town. Those commuting to Redding for work can also catch a bus that travels between Burney and Redding every day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The closest commercial flights are available at Redding Regional Airport, about 60 miles away. It connects to West Coast cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.
Worry of wildfires
Johnson Park is in Shasta County, which has experienced frequent wildfires in recent years. “People are definitely worried about fires, especially with all the trees around here,” Barnett says. “The forest is part of life here, but it’s also a hazard.” The neighborhood hasn’t been burned, but it’s still felt the effects of recent large fires. “There have been a few times recently that the air was full of smoke from the Park Fire,” Barnett adds. At the time Barnett is referencing, the Park Fire was raging almost 100 miles south of the neighborhood, yet it was still large enough to cover millions of acres with thick smoke. Residents should have a plan for quick evacuation in these threatening situations, whether it be toxic smoke levels or nearby flames.
Crime
Johnson Park's minimal commercial activity and remote location comes with low crime. The neighborhood has an overall CAP Index crime score of 2, compared to the U.S. average of 4.
