The Lake Almanor Area Chamber of Commerce invites community members to join upcoming Chester Town Center community meetings to discuss ideas, wants, needs and priorities in greater detail. Meetings are set for 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 101 Meadowbrook Loop on the following dates:
- Tuesday, Sept. 22
- Tuesday, Oct. 20
- Tuesday, Nov. 17
“These meetings are an opportunity to build upon the ideas already collected, hear different perspectives, and help shape priorities before concepts and future plans are developed,” said organizers. “We aren’t asking the community to choose from a finished plan — we’re asking the community to help create the plan.”
Organizers request input from residents, business owners, parents, students, seniors, community organizations, seasonal residents and anyone who cares about Chester’s future. “What does Chester need?” they ask. “What could Chester Park become? And how can we create a town center that serves our community for generations to come?”
The Chester Town Center project grew from the Recharge Our Community’s Economy initiative, part of the Rural Community Assistance Corporation’s Building Rural Economies Smart Growth Program. The program helps rural communities build partnerships, identify opportunities and develop projects that strengthen local economies and create long-term community benefits.
Following a series of workshops and meetings, participants narrowed several promising ideas to a renewed focus on the Chester Town Center. Rather than beginning with a predetermined design, the current process is focused on listening and learning, said organizers.
Recently, Chelsea Harrison with the Lake Almanor Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Plumas County Planning Department, brought the conversation directly into the community. Information-gathering boards were set up at Holiday Market, where year-round residents, seasonal residents, visitors and travelers shared what they believe is important for a reimagined Chester Park.
The feedback is helping identify priorities such as recreation, accessibility, gathering and event spaces, public amenities, infrastructure and opportunities that could strengthen both community life and Chester’s local economy, said organizers.
