By Denise Lana,
When the Decorah Human Powered Trails group and the Winneshiek County Saddle Club met in August for a discussion regarding activities inside Decorah’s Van Peenen Park, City Manager Travis Goedken had hoped the two groups would be able to put several decades of animosity to bed. That meeting did not make much headway. Per Goedken’s instructions, any further action or decision regarding the usage of Van Peenen Park is to be made by the city’s Park and Recreation Board.
Barbara Barnhart Van Peenen Memorial Park is at the center of the dispute. The park boasts a 4.6-mile trail loop, pine forests and numerous hiking paths. The park was dedicated to the city in 1976 by Dr. Hubert John Van Peenen III in honor of his wife Barbara Barnhart Van Peenen, who was an avid horse lover. According to newspaper archives from the time, the family intended for the land to be maintained in its natural state for hikers, birdwatchers, cross country skiers and horseback riders. Included in the deed were stipulations that the land not be used — among other things — for hunting or by motorized vehicles. In more recent years, the park was opened to mountain bikers, and numerous mountain biking trails have been developed and added to existing trails.
Goedken indicated a more recent issue arose as users — such as hikers and mountain bikers — disagreed with horseback riders on where each respective activity should be permitted.
Members of the Winneshiek County Saddle Club have used the park’s trails for nearly 50 years and are working to keep Barbara Barnhart’s love of horses a priority in the park.
The topic came up for discussion again during the Decorah Parks and Recreation Board’s Sept. 19 meeting.
Full article can be found in the September 26 Decorah Leader.
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I worked in the lab with Dr Van Peenen for many years and I have to say I think he would have sided with the horses. Jmo