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Item: 7.2.A. <br />MEMORANDUM <br />Kiver <br />TO: Parks and Recreation Commission <br />FROM: Steve Benoit, Recreation Manager <br />DATE: June 28"', 2010 <br />SUBJECT: Great Northern Trail Horseback Riding <br />At the June 9~' Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, discussion was held regarding <br />horseback riding on the Great Northern Trail. Concern has arisen from pedestrians who <br />utilize the trail in conjunction with horseback riders. The Commission directed staff to <br />conduct a survey of other agencies in how horseback riding is addressed in their <br />organizations. <br />Staff contacted four organizations that offer horseback riding in their facilities including the <br />Anoka County Parks and Recreation Deparanent, Washington County Parks and Recreation <br />Department, Three Rivers Park District, and the Minnesota Department of Natural <br />Resources. Following are results of the survey: <br />• All agencies stated they generally do not have horseback riding occur on paved trails. <br />The only exception is the Three Rivers Park District that has one 100 foot section of <br />paved trial that horseback riders utilize for accessing other parts of the horseback <br />riding trail system. <br />• The majority of joint uses with horseback riding trails are for hiking. The only <br />exception is Washington County which has one trail where mountain biking is also <br />allowed. These joint uses are on turf trails. <br />• The concern expressed for permitting horseback riding on paved trails where other <br />uses such as biking and rollerblading occur is safety. Biking and rollerblading on <br />paved trails can occur at a higher rate of speed than on turf trails which can disturb <br />horses and possibly cause an injury. <br />Staff is looking for feedback from the Commission whether to continue to monitor use <br />patterns or pursue guidelines that would modify trail usage. One possible option to adjust <br />trail usage is to designate specific days and times for horseback riding and other activities. A <br />second option is to restrict horseback riding on the trial. <br />S:\Parks & Rccrcadon\7-1410 PRC Packct\Norscback Riding Survery Results Memo.dcx <br />