Horseback riding will come to river in creation of trails
Giving horses a home on the Oklahoma River takes a step forward in September.
River Park will be reserved for horseback riding, creating a hub near historic Stockyards City for eventual development of riding trails, a livery stable and arenas.
Advocates brainstorming the idea the past couple of years imagine residents and visitors coming to the river for a real Western experience, with the downtown skyline as a backdrop.
“So many people come to Oklahoma City and want to see a horse up-front and personal,” said Rhonda Hooper, an advertising executive and civic leader.
Hooper is a member of the “committee of the willing,” or COW, that has pitched the idea of bringing horses to the river, creating ties to destinations upstream and down.
“Oklahoma City’s Western heritage is authentic,” said Hooper, whose love of horses and understanding of tourism run equally deep. “People seek out those kinds of experiences today.”
Conversion of park
The first step is conversion of the 6.6-acre River Park between S Agnew and S Pennsylvania avenues on the south bank of the river into a horses-only venue beginning in September.
Initially, plans are for a trail and hitching posts. Groups that used the park for youth and adult soccer are relocating to better facilities within the park system.
Advocates see the riverfront riding trails complementing facilities at State Fair Park. More than a dozen national and world championship horse shows take place each year at the fairgrounds.
The annual concentration of state, regional, national and international events at State Fair Park is behind Oklahoma City’s claim to the title “horse show capital of the world.”
Riding trails just off Interstate 40 near downtown also could be a draw to owners passing through, who could take the opportunity to get their horses out of their trailers for some exercise.
Long-range vision
Plans presented to the Riverfront Redevelopment Authority call for eventual development of a $13.6 million horseback-riding complex at River Park.
The minimal investment in the initial trail would be followed by construction of a corral. Utilities including water would be installed and parking would be upgraded to better accommodate horse trailers.
Further additions as outlined in the master plan that went before trustees last year would include a trail leading through the neighborhood to the heart of Stockyards City.
Trails would lead east and west along the river from the park.
A livery stable for horse rentals would go in next to the corral, and outdoor and indoor arenas and a welcome center would be constructed.
Pull-through parking would increase convenience and a boat landing would add links to other landmarks. The notion is to create a destination for residents and visitors to have “that direct experience with a horse,” said Pat Downes, director of development for the Riverfront Redevelopment Authority.