By Denise Lana,

“Everybody wants to maintain the trails and cooperate, and we are taking our time doing that to make sure it’s right,” said Park and Rec Board President Rich Gaard at the board meeting March 20, referring to the numerous boxes needing to be ticked before Van Peenen Park trails would be available for equestrian use. (Photo by Denise Lana)
The Winneshiek Saddle Club found themselves at the center of Decorah’s Park and Recreation meeting Thursday, March 20, as the park board and saddle club discussed the city’s pending Equestrian Shared Use Trail Plan.
In November of 2024, members of the saddle club and the Decorah Human Powered Trails group faced off over a longstanding debate surrounding the shared use of city park trails, specifically trails located in Van Peenen Park.
Ultimately, a split 3-2 vote by the parks and recreation board allowed horseback riders on 5 of the 8 miles of trails in the park, as well as access to the North 40 trail loop off of Van Peenen and Old Randy’s, The Luge and Upper Ice Cave Trails above Dunnings Springs.
Thursday night’s discussion focused on the topics of potentially merging the saddle club and DHPT groups on the trails, as well as devising a set of rules and regulations and establishing a maintenance agreement with the city.
Danielle Dotzenrod, representing the saddle club, told the board, in addition to man power, the club has access to specialized equipment, such as a skid loader, a tractor with grapples, a backhoe, tree shears and a four-wheeler which could be used to maintain trails at no cost to the city. Dotzenrod said volunteers are willing to pack in saws on horseback to maintain areas inaccessible to large machinery.
Board member Brian Fuhrmann questioned the merits of allowing saddle club members to maintain trails without specific guidance and training, emphasizing DHPT has been coordinating with the city for approximately two decades.
Full article in the March 27 Decorah Leader.
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Please stop publishing biased headlines/articles about Saddle Clib, Park and Rec, and DHPT. The writer’s headline in this article is blatantly biased in support of Saddle Club. “Jump through hoops”? No just follow proper procedures for ensuring safe and sustainable trails. Previous articles by this writer have been biased in support of the Saddle Club as well. She can write a piece for the opinion page where this title would be more appropriate.