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Equestrian groups urge Chula Vista to keep Roar Park arena in master plan
Summary
Multiple speakers during public comment urged the council to preserve the Roar Park equestrian arena in the city’s master plan, arguing the arena is a low‑cost, countywide public resource for therapeutic riders, youth and evacuation staging and that replacing it with turf fields would add maintenance costs.
Several equestrian organizations and longtime residents addressed the council during public comment to ask that the Roar Park equestrian arena remain designated as a protected public facility in the master plan.
Janine Reed, president of the Bonita Valley Horsemen, said the arena has been maintained by horse groups at no cost to the city and serves as a regional resource for equestrian events. "The master plan is now showing that no horse facilities would be in that park," Reed said, and she urged the council to keep the arena and maintain public access.
Mary Christiansen, who serves on boards of two nonprofit equestrian organizations, told council members the arena provides a safe, publicly accessible place for children, seniors, beginners and therapeutic riders and is an important staging and evacuation resource during fires and floods. Multiple speakers warned that replacing the arena with multiuse turf or sports fields would create ongoing maintenance costs (watering, mowing, staffing) that the horse groups had historically absorbed themselves.
Speakers said the Park has hosted dog shows, parades and other civic events and asked the council to respect prior commitments and community stewardship. Council members acknowledged the comments and directed staff to consider the input as the Roar Park master plan is developed.
