AND THEY’RE OFF!
Looks like the Port Townsend Horse Park is close to becoming a reality, thanks to the Jefferson Equestrian Association, its active volunteers and the generous donations of folks like you.
As soon as the county gave the group the go-ahead, JEA hosted its first work party last weekend. More than 30 volunteers showed up to help clear brush, remove a few trees and clear the entry drive.
Know-how and funding
“We’re finally allowed on the property,” said Michelle Coleman Grimmer, JEA member and volunteer.
She said the Buckhorn Range chapter of the Back Country Horsemen headed up the work party, providing the leadership, know-how, funding for the burn permit and many of the volunteers.
“We cannot possibly thank them enough,” Grimmer said.
The next phase of the project will happen in the next few weeks, when Bill Leavitt comes in to prepare the road access, according to their road access permit, and to do maintenance and repair to the area to be used for parking.
The vision of JEA is for the Horse Park to be a local recreational destination with a regional component, with equestrian facilities for education, training, competition and events.
Upon completion, the facility will include:
■ Top-quality cross-country course.
■ Covered arena with exceptional footing.
■ Two outdoor arenas with all-weather footing and fencing.
■ Trails for horses and pedestrians.
■ Sixty horse enclosures.
■ Round pen for training.
■ Judges booths.
■ Vaulted toilets.
■ Public parking.
■ Perimeter fencing.
■ Show office.
Activities in spring
JEA plans to begin hosting activities at the park in the spring.
The Horse Park is located on 80 acres in Port Townsend along Cape George Road, directly across from Loftus Road at 1172 Cape George Road.
On Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., JEA’s annual general meeting will be held at the Port Townsend Community Center, 620 Lawrence St.
If you’d like to become involved or support JEA, visit www.jeffersonequestrian.org for more information or email Kim Hunt at kimh@jeffersonequestrian.org.
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Karen Griffiths’ column, Peninsula Horseplay, appears every other Wednesday.
If you have a horse event, clinic or seminar you would like listed, please email Griffiths at kbg@olympus.net at least two weeks in advance. You can also write Griffiths at PDN, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
