Three collaborating state agencies released a feasibility study Wednesday that backs the idea of bringing a new horse park to Maryland.
After nearly seven years of planning and work, the Maryland Horse Industry Board, a division of the State Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development and the Maryland Stadium Authority, unveiled the Maryland Horse Park & Agricultural Education Feasibility Study.
The study calls for the construction of an 875-acre horse park and education center on the site of a U.S. Navy-owned dairy farm in Gambrills.
According to the study, the horse park is envisioned to have a profound impact on the state?s recreational horse industry while acting as a positive economic generator for Anne Arundel County and the state.
Additionally, the park is expected to benefit small agricultural businesses and encourage the protection of farmland throughout the state.
“The Maryland Department of Agriculture is highly supportive of this project, mainly because of the benefits to Maryland?s agricultural industry,” said E. Keith Menchey, the department?s assistant secretary for policy development.
The proposed horse park is expected to cost more than $114 million to construct. The study estimates that total visitor spending at the horse park and in the neighboring areas would be more than $122 million, which would generate almost $7 million in taxes to the state, more than $2 million to Anne Arundel County and $179,000 to Annapolis.
If the project comes to fruition, the horse park is also expected to be the point of sale for Fasig-Tipton Mid-Atlantic?s thoroughbred horse sales, which would create additional revenue for the park and keep the company from going out of state.
“It?s a great way to keep this business in Maryland,” said Alison L. Asti, executive director of the Stadium Authority.
The idea for the horse park originated in 1999 when the Maryland Horse Industry Board began to consider the best way to establish a state horse park.
During the next few years, an equine census was taken and the Maryland Horse Forum was created. That forum recommended that the feasibility study be conducted, and in 2005, the Maryland Stadium Authority, DBED and the Horse Industry Board gained budget approval from the Maryland General Assembly to undertake the study.
To choose the site for the proposed horse park, members of the three agencies solicited property nominations from all across the state with six jurisdictions submitting proposals. The U.S. Navy Dairy Farm was unanimously selected by the agencies for the study.
“This is by far the best site in the state,” said Rob Burk, executive director of the Maryland Horse Industry Board. “We hope that the process moves forward and we?re excited about the potential in Anne Arundel County.”
Following the release of the feasibility study, the proposal will go to the community for feedback. There is no timeline as to when the project could move forward.
What’s on the table
The primary Equestrian Zone facilities for the proposed horse park will include:
» Visitors Center and Equestrian/Agriculture Museum
» Indoor climate-controlled equestrian show ring with 2,500 seats, a sales ring, restaurant and lounge overlooking the rings, and an adjacent warm-up area
» Outdoor equestrian show ring with seating and adjacent warm-up ring
» Seven additional outdoor show and practice rings with a variety of footings, including grass
» Grass Grand Prix Field
» Stabling for 840 horses with toilets, showers, walking rings, farrier and veterinary procedure areas
» Three-plus mile cross-country course and combine driving venue with water courses, timber routes and multiple spectator outlooks
» One-mile turf steeplechase course with 1,500-seat grandstand
» Three-quarter mile fiber-sand training track to support horse sale functions
» Extensive outdoor public space and attractions to support the horse park mission, including carriage station, sculpture garden and equestrian-related retail vendor areas
» Trail riding available for public use
Source: Maryland Stadium Authority
