[RC] Feedback Needed on Ideal Trail Facilities - giltmead
I am the equestrian representative on a committee
working on a proposal to build what we hope will be the premier trail riding
complex in North America. This will be located east of the Mississipi and
within an 8 hour drive of 1/3 of the US population. The trail system will
be a series of loop trails built around a central 80 mile loop with a toyal
system of nearly 300 miles of trails of varying terrain and difficulty.
One of the key terms being used is to offer "a variety of experiences".
The trail system will be open to all non-mototized users, with equine users the
economic focus.
We propose having four horse camps spread
out along the central trail. These will be supplemented by a number of
small "Bed & Barn" operations. The largest of the camps will have over
200 sites, with the others around 50 each, and overflow fields
available.
The project is supported at this time by 13
governmental organizations including the four counties involved all the way
up to the US Congress, and I have been assured that adequate funding is
available (yes we are talking millions).
I have been
asked to not release further specifics yet, but it is time for wider
input.
What would you want in the perfect
complex? What facilities should be at the camps? How about the other
trail heads? What ancillary facilities would you support? What
special considerations would you want with regard to trail design?
This is your chance to effect the
future. If this project is as successful as projected it may be the
standard everything else in the country is compared to down the
road.
