The Reimagine Bidwell Mansion planning process is designed to thoughtfully guide the future of Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park (SHP) in the aftermath of the December 2024 fire. Recognizing the park’s historical significance and deep community connections, California State Parks has launched a multi-phase planning effort to engage the public, incorporate expert guidance, and develop a shared vision for reopening the park.

The process begins with Project Initiation, which includes convening initial stakeholder meetings with organizations and individuals who have a history of involvement with the park. This phase also includes ongoing engagement with local California Native American Tribes and a thorough review of existing background materials—such as previous plans, archival documents, and historical records—to establish a strong foundation for planning.

With the Outreach Launch now underway, the broader community is invited to reconnect with the park and actively contribute to the planning process. This phase includes the live Memory Sharing Tool and this project website—both designed to offer accessible ways for people to share personal stories, stay informed, and participate in shaping the future of Bidwell Mansion SHP.

The Engagement phase invites deeper involvement through a variety of activities, including stakeholder meetings, online and in-person visioning workshops, local pop-up events, and an online public survey. These efforts will gather a wide range of perspectives, priorities, and creative ideas from across the Chico community and beyond. These engagement activities will be publicized on this website.

In the final phase—Vision Development—insights and feedback from earlier phases will be synthesized into a Vision Document that reflects the values of the public, the needs of park staff, and the expertise of planning and Tribal partners. The format of the Vision Document will be shaped as the project progresses, and it will serve as a roadmap for the future of Bidwell Mansion SHP.