Prospective Stewardship of the Honey Run Covered Bridge and Surrounding Property

• RFI Issued By Honey Run Covered Bridge Association

• Response Deadline: September 25, 2026

• Property Location: 1670 Honey Run Rd, Chico, CA 95928 

• Current Owner of Record:  Honey Run Covered Bridge Association 

 

Purpose of This Request

The Honey Run Covered Bridge Association (“HRCBA” or the “Association”) is requesting information from qualified organizations, agencies, and institutions interested in receiving ownership of the Honey Run Covered Bridge and the surrounding parcel of land (the “Property”).

The Association's objective is to identify the entity best positioned to serve as a permanent, responsible steward of the Property — one that will preserve The Bridge and Park’s historic and structural integrity, maintain it responsibly over the long term, and keep it accessible to the public. This is a Request for Information only. It does not obligate HRCBA to transfer the Property to any respondent, and it is not a solicitation for bids, an offer, or a binding agreement of any kind.

Disclaimer: This RFI is issued solely to gather information and does not constitute an offer, a solicitation for bids, or a binding commitment by HRCBA. HRCBA will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in preparing a response. All information submitted may be reviewed by HRCBA's Board of Directors and, where required, its legal or financial advisors.

Background

The Honey Run Covered Bridge was a beloved Butte County landmark since 1886. One of the last remaining three-span covered bridges of its kind in the United States, it had been a treasured gathering place and symbol of local history. After the 2018 Camp Fire destroyed it, the community rallied to rebuild the bridge, reopening it in 2025 as a powerful symbol of resilience and connection.

Set along Butte Creek in scenic Butte Creek Canyon, the reconstructed bridge is surrounded by a rich natural landscape of creekside vegetation, oak and cottonwood habitat, and abundant wildlife. 

Today, the Honey Run Covered Bridge is a place where history and nature meet new beginnings—and where future generations can gather, explore, celebrate, and create memories of their own.​

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Goals for the Future Steward

HRCBA is evaluating prospective recipients holistically, with attention to the following priorities:

• Public access: a demonstrated commitment to keeping the bridge and grounds open and accessible to the public, at no cost or a nominal cost, in perpetuity.

• Preservation and restoration capacity: the technical expertise, staffing, and track record needed to maintain a historic covered bridge structure to appropriate preservation standards and a wildfire mitigation and vegetation plan.

• Financial sustainability: a credible, funded plan for ongoing maintenance, insurance, and capital repairs without reliance on the Property's sale or subdivision.

• Mission alignment: an organizational mission consistent with historic preservation, land conservation, parks and recreation, or public education.

HRCBA will weigh these factors together rather than requiring a minimum threshold on any single criterion.

Eligible Respondents

HRCBA welcomes responses from any qualified entity capable of accepting, preserving, and maintaining the Property, including but not limited to:

• Municipal, county, state, or federal government agencies

• Land trusts and conservation organizations

• Historic preservation nonprofits and foundations

• Parks and recreation departments or authorities

• Educational institutions with relevant preservation or conservation programs

• Other mission-aligned public or nonprofit entities not listed above

 

Information Requested

Respondents are asked to provide the following information in their submission:

• Organizational overview: mission, legal status (e.g., government entity, 501(c)(3)), governance structure, and years in operation.

• Relevant experience: examples of comparable historic structures, bridges, or land parcels currently owned or managed, including how public access has been maintained.

• Stewardship and preservation plan: ideas for maintaining the bridge and land, including proposed public access provisions, programming, and preservation approach.

• Financial capacity: evidence of the funding, endowment, budget, or revenue sources that would support long-term maintenance and capital repairs.

• Governance and risk management: how the entity would handle insurance, liability, staffing, and volunteer coordination for the Property.

• Timeline and conditions: any conditions the respondent would attach to acceptance, and an estimated timeline for transition.

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Description of the Property

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Submission Instructions

Format: PDF or Word document, up to and not to exceed 10 pages plus attachments/appendices.

Deadline: Friday, September 25th at 5pm 

Submit To: HRCBAssociation@gmail.com 

Questions: Respondents are encouraged to reach out with questions before the deadline. HRCBA may, at its discretion, host an optional site visit or informational call for interested parties; details will be shared with all respondents equally. Deadline for questions: September 15th, 2026. 

 

Evaluation and Next Steps

HRCBA's Board of Directors will review all responses against the goals described in Section 4. The Board may request follow-up meetings, site visits, or additional documentation from one or more respondents before making a final determination. HRCBA reserves the right to:

• Request clarification or additional information from any respondent

 

Disclaimer

This RFI is issued solely to gather information and does not constitute an offer, a solicitation for bids, or a binding commitment by HRCBA. HRCBA will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in preparing a response. All information submitted may be reviewed by HRCBA's Board of Directors and, where required, its legal or financial advisors.