PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson Equestrian Association hopes to break ground sometime this year on the first improvements for a horse park on 80 acres off Cape George Road.
Details of plans for the privately-funded Jefferson Equestrian Events Center will be presented during the group’s annual meeting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Jefferson County Library, 620 Cedar Ave, Port Hadlock.
“We would like to welcome anyone who has an interest in horses to attend our annual meeting,” said Jim Costello, the group’s president.
“This is a great time for people to learn more about the horse park, volunteer opportunities and to become members of JEA.”
The Jefferson Equestrian Association was created to facilitate the development of the horse park, which will be on county-owned property bordering the county recycling facility.
The center will be funded through private donations and grants, It is expected to eventually cost between $600,050 and $700,000, said Kim McGuire, past president of the group.
In addition to equestrian facilities, the horse park also will offer trails for cyclists, walkers and joggers, and will be open to the public.
Last June, the three Jefferson County commissioners unanimously approving an operating agreement with the group for use of the land that provides a 10-year period for improvements to be made.
Since then, the equestrian association has sought a county conditional use permit, McGuire said.
“I’m not sure how long that’s going to take,” she said.
In the meantime, the group is “pulling together a volunteer base, so that as soon as the permit comes through, we can get out and break ground,” McGuire said.
No building permit is needed yet, she added, “since no physical structure will be erected this year.”
Instead, volunteers will focus on laying out trails, and constructing a parking lot and an outdoor horse arena.
The group’s eventual plans for the park are:
• A 200-foot-by-80-foot covered arena.
• Two outdoor arenas, each 200 feet square.
• A round pen for training.
• Cross-country courses.
• 60 horse enclosures.
• Trails for horses and pedestrians.
• Competitor and public parking, a picnic area and utilities.
• Vaulted toilets, judging booths, perimeter fencing and a show office.
“Part of our plans for the horse park is to create programs for youth at risk and disabled people,” McGuire said.
The park will enable access to equestrian sports for children and adults who wouldn’t otherwise be able to ride, said Christina Pavarnik, the group’s treasurer.
“It will provide tremendous opportunities for JEA members, Pony Club and 4-H members, youth at risk, after school riders, event participants and community partners, while preserving rapidly disappearing open space for use by equestrians, dog walkers and nature lovers,” Pavarnik said.
For more information about the annual meeting, phone McGuire at 360-379-6681.
