Split vote settles trail debate – Parks and Rec Board approves horses in specific areas

By Denise Lana,

A decision was finally reached tonight regarding the city’s trails. The parks and rec board passed a motion 3-2 to allow horseback riders on 5 of the 8 miles of trails in Van Peenen Park, and they will also be given access to the North 40 trail loop off Van Peenen. Additionally, horseback riders were allowed access to Old Randy’s, The Luge, and Upper Ice Cave Trails above Dunning’s Spring. The trail proposal from Parks and Rec Board member Zach Kerndt (pictured) shows the trails horseback riders can access. (Photo by Denise Lana)

Members of the Winneshiek Saddle Club and the Decorah Human Powered Trails group initially declared a stalemate after facing off at a Nov. 21 Decorah Parks and Recreation Board meeting. However, a split vote from the board decided the matter Tuesday night. 

The two groups — one made up of horseback riders, and the other largely consisting of hikers and mountain bike enthusiasts — had been attempting to make headway in the longstanding debate surrounding the shared use of city park trails, specifically trails located in Van Peenen Park. The city’s Parks and Recreation Board had scheduled a work session Tuesday, hoping once again to facilitate a compromise on the issue. No action was expected during that work session, but the board saw fit to schedule a second meeting following the work session and ultimately voted 3-2 to allow horseback riders on 5 of the 8 miles of trails in Van Peenen Park. The equestrian users will also be given access to the North 40 trail loop off Van Peenen as well as Old Randy’s, The Luge, and Upper Ice Cave Trails above Dunnings Spring as part of the board’s decision. 

Full article available in the November 28 Decorah Leader.

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