HORSE PARK GRANTED PERMITS
BY COUNTY
Stanford Renews Lease
Through 2017
San Mateo County Planning
Commission chambers overflowed with supporters Wednesday
morning as a unanimous vote secured the future of
"The Horse Park at Woodside," an historic
equestrian facility on Stanford University property at
Sand Hill Road and Highway 280.
By granting the Horse
Park's applications for permits, the County has given the
"go ahead" for the Horse Park to move forward
with plans for capital improvements to the property, which
will result in improved land stewardship and also lay the
groundwork for higher quality equestrian events and
competitions.
In addition, Stanford
University has extended the Horse Park’s lease on the
property to the end of September 2017. Horse Park Board
President Michael Fleishman said, “We think this lease
extension demonstrates a real commitment by Stanford to
protecting the Peninsula's rural and agricultural space
and to supporting the local equestrian community.”
Executive Director Al Behr
said, “With these permits, the Horse Park can now begin
realizing the vision of a top quality, multi-use
equestrian facility for Northern California.” For the
past two years, until this vote, the Horse Park had been
operating under strict restraints with only temporary
permits.
Joan Baez (neighbor) and
Lennie Roberts (Committee for Green Foothills) testified
in support of the permits. So did a large number of local
equestrians, dog lovers and open space enthusiasts.
Situated on 272 gently
rolling, oak-studded acres on the border of Menlo Park and
Woodside, California, the Horse Park boasts facilities,
terrain and beautiful setting which have made it a
nationally-known venue for equestrian activities ranging
from Horse Trials to Pony Club Ratings to Dressage to
Arena Polo to Hunter/Jumper Shows to Western Reining. The
nearest comparable facility is located in Sacramento.
The Horse Park provides
remarkable opportunities for local and regional Pony Club
members, Young Riders, event participants and charity
groups, while preserving rapidly disappearing open space
for use by dog walkers and nature lovers. It draws some of
the best riding talent in California.
The County Planning
Commission approved the Horse Park's applications for a
Use Permit, Confined Animal Permit, Building Permit(s) and
Grading Permits. The permits have been granted for a
period of two years, at which time there will be a review
by the County and renewal of the permits with any changes
or adjustments deemed necessary.
About The Horse Park at
Woodside
Founded in 1976, CTETA,
Ltd. (the Combined Training Equestrian Team Alliance)
operates The Horse Park at Woodside, opened in 1981. CTETA
is a nonprofit organization dedicated to offering youth
and adults educational, competitive, and recreational
opportunities in a wide variety of equestrian disciplines.
Supported by membership and use fees, event revenue and
donations, the Horse Park is the only facility of its kind
in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The Horse Park at
Woodside is located on 272 acres of privately-owned land
on Sand Hill Road just west of the I-280 freeway.
Contacts:
Allan Behr (Executive
Director), Mike Fleishman (Board President), Penny Gallo
(Board V.P.), Tracy Byars (Development Director) at Horse
Park 650-851-2140
