To the editor:
Yet another article appeared in the Des Moines Register about adding more bike trails to the state. I have nothing against biking, but how about making some trails for horseback riders in Iowa?
How many trail riders are tired of driving to the parks to see the sign that says, “Trails Closed”? I think that it is about time that the horse people of Iowa get a little bit of recognition. The last few years it seems that the DNR has found more reasons to close trails that we have been riding for 20 years or better.
Let’s pick on Elk Rock State Park, just because it is closer to home. How many of you reading this letter remember the good old days of camping there and maybe 30 people knew it existed? It used to be a great place to go riding and enjoy the campfire. Now everywhere you go, you see a no horse sign with an attached sign saying $116 fine. I understand the so-called “off-trail riding” was getting out of hand, but there were some trails shut off that really had no reasoning behind it.
We used to ride what was called the “Blue Ribbon Trail” that took you out along the lake and through some of the prettiest timber settings. Now we are not allowed to ride these areas because the eagles have decided to roost in the trees. Yet another part of the trail cut through some natural prairie grass, once again you cannot ride there. The DNR has been spending time and money in the prairie grass area to restore it to its natural state. You cannot ride your horse through this area, but you can hike in and see it. Oh, by the way, it is about a three-mile hike one way. What is the point of improving the area if no one will ever see it?
If you have driven across the mile long bridge lately, you have probably noticed the huge dirt work area on the south side of the lake. That is the site for the new boat dock. When they started pushing trees last fall, they closed off a big section of the horse trails in Elk Rock.
A group of us has been working with the DNR and the Corps of Engineers trying to reroute the trail system. We have walked the trail and flagged out a new area that gives us more area to ride and will keep us away from the busy road to the boat dock. We have been advised that any change in the trail system must be approved by the DNR and the Corps before anything can be done. Do not expect this section of trail to be open anytime soon, as it takes a long time to process things through the government offices.
No matter where you like to ride, the stories are all alike; the trails are closed, overcrowded, not enough miles, etc. I think it is time that the horse riders come together and make a stand. If there is enough money and resources out there to continually expand the bike trails, then there has to be a way to get some money to maintain and create more horse trails.
More and more people are loading horses and leaving the state to enjoy trail riding. It seems our neighboring states have already realized the amount of money that comes along with these trail riders. When is Iowa going to wake up and smell the manure, so to speak? With the price of gas going up daily, we will be looking for closer places to ride and I am sure that I am not alone.
Cathy Wood
Monroe
