On July 23, the public outreach meeting for the proposed Equestrian Center was held at the Yorba Linda Community Center. Approximately 30 people were in attendance to provide the consultants input regarding their concerns, direction regarding the type of amenities to be included at the site and the need for the facility.
The list of amenities the equestrian groups would like to see included at the proposed center are:
- 100-200 box and outside stalls
- A 25 ft x 250 ft covered arena with seating
- Two lunging arenas
- Warm up area
- Hot walker
- Wash stalls
- Tack Room
- Veterinary Hospital
- Rest rooms/ Showers
- Managers Office
- Residence for caretaker
- Fountain and a Horse Statue
- Dog/skate park
- Trail head
- Picnic area
- Community Multipurpose Building
- Community Garden
- Community/ Youth/ Therapeutic Activities
Consultants did mention that not all of these amenities will fit into the area being designated on the lake bed. This was a wish list and would be a starting point to see what would work in that area. The consultants are continuing to work on identifying which parcels of land in that area are available for development.
Concerns voiced at the Meeting:
- The equestrian culture is disappearing due to lack of facilities and opportunity. Feels this Center would help keep this recreational interest intact in our Community.
- There are fewer and fewer places to board horses in the area.
- Hard to identify Yorba Linda residents who would be interested in boarding horses at a facility in Yorba Linda.
- Is this facility being built for outside community members or just for residents?
- The lakebed needs to be protected as a sanctuary for everyone in the community, not just equestrians. People also use this area to walk their dogs, bike, and walk.
- Keep the area in its natural state.
- No one is interested in seeing the entire lakebed developed/ destroyed.
- Not interested in hosting weddings or other community events in the area.
- Area is in a flood control plain and is zoned for open space. City may not want to take the liability for the area.
- Home owners in the area have not been notified this was being studied.
- Residents other than equestrians have not been talked to regarding this project.
- Do not mind the Equestrian Center but does not feel the City should pay for it. It should be run as a private business venture.
There was be additional meetings regarding this project. If you are interested in giving input call the City Parks and Recreation Department at: 714-961-7100. When you call you have the opportunity to sign up for email updates on this project.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m a horse lover; I have a couple of them in my backyard.
That said I’m in agreement with item number 12, “I do not mind the Equestrian Center but do I not feel the City should pay for it.” Not only should the city not pay for it they shouldn’t be managing it either. It should be run by a private company. This company would then have to compete with other facilities in the area to turn a profit, and not drive them out of business.
I love the horses and the rural charm of Yorba Linda. However, the City absolutely SHOULD NOT pay one red cent for this project. Why are we even debating whether or not the City should squander our taxes on this project? We can’t have fireworks (next year) or as many Concerts in the Park (this year), which everyone can enjoy, because of the cost; but we can waste money for a project that only a select few in this city will ever use?
If the equestrian center has the potential to be profitable, why hasn’t a private company stepped up? I’ll tell you why, it’s because the demand truly is not there and there won’t be enough profits in an equestrian center to be worth the development effort. I suspect we just have some people with big mouths declaring that we need an equestrian center. And I suspect that it will not be profitable, which is why these same individuals insist that the City needs to be financially involved – because no private company wants to open a venture that is likely to fail.
This seems so simple: You either live in a home that you can keep your horse or you have to stable it elsewhere – wherever that happens to be. There are plenty of homes that can house horses inYorba Linda and you know whether or not your home is permitted to allow a horse when you bought it. If you don’t live in one of these homes, you need to find a place to stable your horse. It is not a requirement that said stable must be located around the corner from your house. There are many stables relatively close to Yorba Linda. Keep in mind, we are somewhat rural in character, but the city is far from being rural. If you want horses surrounding you, perhaps you shouldn’t live in a suburban city?
Out of curiousity, what would be the City’s response if the dog owners that live in condos/apartments without backyards got together and demanded public kennels & exercise yard to deal with their dogs? I doubt it would be discussed for long because the notion is absurd. Well, the only difference between this hypothetical & the equestrain situation is that the horses are much larger & heavier. But these situations are equally absurd.
I don’t understand why the equestrians are so upset and seem to be attacking anyone who thinks they should pay for their own equestrian center. I am totally in favor of them having a facility, but I agree that taxpayer money should NOT be used to build or operate it. They already have a free arena at the Paxton Center that is totally funded by taxpayers. I’m concerned that other council members are not asking questions about the costs, especially after all the controversy over the golf course. Those in the equestrian community that are treating people who ask questions of them with such hatred and animosity are giving the entire equestrian community a bad rap. Also, why would you want the government to have control of the facility anyway? The city isn’t in the equine business. If the equestrians want it to be successful, they should build it and maintain it themselves. That’s their expertise. Plus, if the city owns it, they can take it away–something the equestrians should seriously consider. The equestrians need to change their mindset. Those of us who are in favor of the facility but don’t want the city to pay for it really are on your side.
I am a 45 year resident of the area. Horse people have ruled for much of these years while the greater majority has been bypassed. The city council voted many years ago to finance a skateboard park which was never realized. There are many more dog owners in the city than horse owners or skateboards, yet the council does nothing to advance a dog park. An area in any of a number of existing parks could be set aside for a dog park. Other cities has developed dog parks with dog owners involved in the maintenance.
I agree with JH. Toady ther are very few horses remaining in the city. Most that are resident in Yorba Linda are not ridden and the horse trails built for their use is mostly utilized by walkers and folks walking their dogs. A dog park would be a great addition to the city and would be utilized much more by the majority.