Horse activities will continue in Highlands Ranch under a lease
between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Metro
District.
The district’s board of directors approved a contract in April
ceding management of Spring Gulch Equestrian Area to the district.
Previously, Colorado State Parks managed the facility.
Spring Gulch is used by a few pony and rider clubs and several
riding events. Those activities are expected to continue.
One benefit to the management contract is expanded parking along
the north end next to Redstone Park and increased access to the
future East-West Trail to be built by Douglas County.
Spring Gulch Equestrian Area is located on the western edge of
Highlands Ranch east of Santa Fe Drive and south of Redstone Park
and Shea Stadium.
For more than 30 years, the 105-acre facility has been used for
equestrian jumping by the Platte Valley Pony Club. Spring Gulch
contains a series of trails and jumps designed for English-style
riding. Groups use the property for three organized events each
year and informally throughout the year for horse and rider
training.
Colorado State Parks managed the facility as a fee area similar
to other state parks.
Upon taking over the equine park June 5, the Metro District
plans to reduce the fee from $7 per day to $5 per day, or $25 for
an annual pass. The hours of operation will also be expanded to 8
a.m. to sunset.
“We want to make the Spring Gulch Equestrian Area more
accessible to horse enthusiasts across the Front Range and to the
public who attend the annual events,” said Bill Dailey, Metro
District natural resources manager. “In addition to improving
access to the equine park, we are making small changes to enhance
the visitor’s overall experience.”
As part of the lease agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, the Metro District will add a trail as part of the
East-West Regional Trail that will ultimately connect Chatfield and
Cherry Creek state parks. Access to the trail will be through a new
trailhead in the far northwest portion of the site south of Shea
Stadium. Trail spurs will connect the trail to Sandstone Plaza in
Redstone Park and Bucknell Drive in a nearby neighborhood.
