I'm very pleased to be able to give you this status report on the equestrian facility at Franklin Park in Purcellville.   Representatives of LHA, USTR and Tri-State Riding Club have been working for months with the Diane Ryburn, head of the Department of Parks & Recreation, to develop the equestrian portion of Franklin Park.   Each organization has put money into a fund, administered by USTR, to build a ring and expand the existing trail by adding a shorter trail loop within the equestrian area.  USTR contributed $7,000, Tri-State contributed $1,000, and LHA contributed $500, for a total of $8,500. 

 

A working group of our three organizations consists of Yvonne Wheaton, President of USTR, Lynell Abbott  of USTR, Leslie Gottesman, Vice-President of Tri-State, and myself.  We have met together monthly or more frequently,  met with Diane Ryburn and Franklin Park staff several times, and made several visits to Franklin Park to evaluate the equestrian site and discuss the logistics of the ring construction and trail expansion.  The site will accomodate a 100' x 200' ring and we have concluded that  a grass ring with an all-weather perimeter track within the fence is something we can afford and start work on as soon as we work out the details with Parks & Recreation.    We don't see any way we could raise enough money to build a completely all-weather surface ring in the forseeable future, and we want to get this ring built this fall and ready to use as soon as possible.  Those of you who have been to Kelly's Ford Equestrian Center will be familiar with this design and know that it makes a lovely ring.   The Franklin Park equestrian area is located at the top of the hill on your left as you drive into Franklin Park from Rt. 7.   To see it  follow the signs on the left to the trailer parking area and at the top of the hill walk back towards Rt. 7. 

 

We are receiving outstanding support from the community for this project. 

Southern States in Purcellville has most generously offered to donate the posts, boards and gates to fence the ring.  We have solicited estimates for grading and finishing the ring and have received one outstandingly generous offer which puts us in the ballpark to get the work done.  Suppliers who donate work or materials for the project will be prominently recognized for their generosity and I hope all LHA members will support their businesses in the future.

 

We may be $500 - $1,000 short of the total amount we'll need based on the cost estimates we have so far.  We have to get the fence built and are working on a couple of approaches to that.  The County will weigh in on how we can get that work done, as they will on the grading and seeding.  There may still be ways we can cut the cost of this project and we're pursuing them diligently, but we may have to undertake some additional fund raising to close the gap.  When we know the total cost of this project we'll have a definite fund-raising target.  I am certain we'll be able to raise the money.

 

DONATIONS (go to www.ustrailride.org to download letter)

I'm attaching a letter from our three clubs regarding donations for public equestrian facilities in Loudoun County.  The letter explains how to make a contribution to our equestrian facilities fund  Donations received at this time will be put towards the final amount needed to complete the Franklin Park project.  Any  donations which bring the balance in the fund above what's needed to complete the Franklin Park project will be held by USTR for other equestrian public projects such as Lovettsville Park.   Should you be able to send in a donation, please note whether you belong to any of our three organizations.   USTR is a 501-C.3 organization and donations to USTR are tax-deductible.  Donations in any amount will be greatly appreciated.  We would also appreciate it if you will forward this information to all of your equestrian friends and neighbors, whether they are members of our three organizations or not.  We're working to provide facilities for all horse people in Loudoun County.

 

As a footnote, the Lovettsville Park equestrian project is on hold right now while P&R, the Town of Lovettsville, Loudoun County Public Schools and VDOT address the Town's request for a southern entrance to the park, in the vicinity of the elementary school.  When the LHA Board donated the $500 to the Franklin Park project we also set aside another $250 for the equestrian facilities at Lovettsville Park.  We now have $ 1,831  in our fund earmarked  for the Lovettsville project and will continue to raise money for that, because it will get underway eventually. 

 

Many thanks.

Mary

 

Mary Terpak