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Cities, developers and nonprofits offer competing plans for North County Equestrian Park; users urge keeping it public
Summary
Four proposals were presented for the North County Equestrian Park: a Rimrock HOA purchase that would make the equestrian amenities private, a joint American Fork/Lehi cities plan to buy and maintain the park as public, a Wadsworth joint venture to preserve open space with mixed development financing, and a proposal emphasizing therapeutic riding research and indoor facilities. Users and mayors urged preserving public access.
Four competing proposals to repurpose or preserve the North County Equestrian Park drew presentations from private developers, two neighboring cities and nonprofit proponents and prompted sustained public comment urging county retention or public‑oriented transfer.
Mark Hampton of Rimrock (Speaker 12) initially proposed a cash purchase and an HOA‑governed residential community that would make the equestrian facilities private amenities for residents. Hampton acknowledged the proposal would remove public access and said replacement facilities could be funded from the sale proceeds; after public and city objections he rescinded the offer and recommended the commission work with American Fork and Lehi.
Representatives from American Fork and Lehi, led by city administrator David Bunker, offered a different approach: the two cities proposed acquiring the land for a nominal fee, keeping the park open to the public, maintaining operations through city parks departments, and adding amenities such as pickleball courts, a dog park and a community center. "Our proposal... is that we purchase the property for a nominal fee and that we maintain the facility as a public facility," Bunker said. Mayors Johnson and Frost emphasized preserving public access and increasing use through additional amenities and partnerships.
Tony Johns (Wadsworth/Community Development Partners) presented a public‑private joint‑venture plan aiming to keep the 15 acres of equestrian open space public while financing operations through adjacent residential and community‑oriented commercial development. Johns said the joint venture would operate the park, keep it open to the public, and apply fees and revenue sharing to support maintenance.
Another presenter emphasized therapeutic horseback riding and research partnerships, with Tammy Clegg (a therapeutic riding practitioner) describing ongoing studies with BYU and the Salt Lake VA and seeking an enclosed, controlled indoor facility to expand clinical research and treatment. Clegg said her program conducts thousands of sessions a year and provides volunteer hours and donated services; she argued a controlled indoor space is important for patient safety and rigorous research.
Users and neighbors urged the commission not to convert the park to private residential use. One frequent user said the county "is not in the business to run an equestrian center" and suggested a city or private operator could manage it more effectively; another resident said losing the park to residential development would be "very sad." The commission did not adopt any disposition during the work session and directed continued discussion and planning with cities and stakeholders.
