Access Improvements at Olsen Barn Meadow

After many years of planning and fundraising, FRLT is preparing for a busy time at the Olsen Barn Meadow Preserve in the coming months. We will be working with contractors to make several improvements at the preserve. Read on for updates and how this work may impact your access to the property this summer.

Previous Work

After purchasing the property in 2015, FRLT completed a series of improvements and maintenance work at Olsen Barn Meadow. In 2017, mowed trails were established and the barn itself was raised and a new foundation was poured. In 2019, the benches and Learning Landscapes outdoor classroom were installed. In 2021, parking area was improved, the archway got a sign, and the kiosks were built.

Parking Area—June 2026

This summer, we will be adding a paved accessible parking space, as well as an accessible path and pad adjacent to the parking area, which will serve as an overlook for visitors. This will allow people needing mobility assistance or otherwise unable to walk out onto the property a space to enjoy the beauty of nature away from the parking lot.

During the construction of these amenities, we will need to close portions of the parking area. Please be mindful of construction equipment and exercise caution near the construction area. We will update you if there are any changes to property access. 

Barn Repairs—Summer 2026

The historic Olsen Barn will be receiving several much-needed improvements this summer. These will include the removal and replacement of several structural members inside the barn, including a new sill—a large, solid, horizontal beam at the base of the barn, and the removal and replacement of siding that has fallen off or become deteriorated. These improvements are needed to maintain the structural integrity of the barn and to prevent snow from coming in through gaps in siding and wearing down structural points of the barn. Adding new wood to the barn may change its look in a few areas but we want to make sure the barn is in good shape to last the next 150 years and the wood will age with time.   

During this process, a temporary chain link fence will be erected around the entire barn. The fence will remain in place for the duration of the work. Equipment and a steel storage container will be on site. The public will be allowed to walk near the barn, but there will not be access inside of the fenced area.

As our project timeline is clarified, we will provide updates via this webpage. 

For questions about this project, please contact our Stewardship Director, Nils Lunder at: nlunder@frlt.org 

Educational Signs—Spring 2027

Beautiful and informative interpretive signage will be professionally designed and installed to educate and inspire visitors about the property and region. This element of the project will be ongoing through the next year—coming to the property by spring of 2027.

Funding for the Project

This project is being funded in part with grant funds from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration’s American Rescue Plan: Travel, Tourism, & Outdoor Recreation Program. We are also deeply grateful to several important donors who have generously contributed the matching funds required by the federal grant, and to our many committed land trust supporters who make all of our work possible. 

As a federally funded project, FRLT solicited bids from contractors, and the project was awarded to R&R Horn General Contractors, based in Chico, CA.

As we complete this project and move forward into the future, FRLT will be seeking to establish a long-term stewardship fund that will support further maintenance and restoration of the property. If you’d like to learn more about our funding needs and how to support FRLT into the future, please contact Executive Director, Corey Pargee at cpargee@frlt.org. 

About Olsen Barn Meadow

The Olsen Barn Meadow is a scenic 107-acre nature preserve within an Audubon-designated Important Bird Area with unique bird sightings year-round.

The North Fork Feather River on the southern boundary of the Preserve provides an idyllic setting for picnicking, fishing, and enjoying the area’s scenic beauty. The Olsen Barn, a Plumas County Historic Landmark, is an impressive example of 1800s craftsmanship with its massive hand-hewn timbers.

The Olsen Barn Meadow was protected with tremendous grassroots support in 2015. Although privately owned since the 1800s,  this landscape—with its sweeping views and historical relevance—has been used by locals for decades and is an important part of Chester’s identity. In early 2015, FRLT joined forces with community members and led a campaign to purchase and protect the property.

Learn more about the Preserve!