Mounted Posse and residents propose Santiago lot be used for equestrian arena and community garden

Representatives of Temecula's equestrian community urged the GPAC to consider using the city‑owned parcel at Yanez and Santiago for an interim equestrian facility and community garden that could support training, parades and youth programs while preserving long‑term development options.

"Having a public training center here in Temecula would directly support our ability to safely serve residents," Darryl Cowan, who said he represents the Riverside County Sheriff Volunteer Mounted Posse (Temecula Station), told GPAC. Cowan described the posse as a nonprofit group of sworn volunteers that provides parade support, search and rescue assistance and other community engagements; he said they currently travel to Marietta Equestrian Center for training because Temecula lacks appropriate facilities.

Amy Danishman, a 12‑year resident and equine professional, said more than 750 local residents signed a petition supporting a covered arena and multi‑use facility at the Santiago lot to preserve Temecula's equestrian heritage and provide year‑round, organized riding and instructional opportunities. "This space is an ideal location as it sits above Old Town," she said, noting potential uses including clinics, youth instruction and staging for Old Town parades.

Speakers suggested a mixed use approach that could combine a community garden with an equestrian arena, serving immediate community needs in the interim while leaving the parcel available for future development when appropriate. Darryl Cowan said such an interim activation would allow frequent, safer training and better community engagement.

City staff and the consultant team heard the requests and said public input would be included in the focus‑area studies that staff and consultants will perform between meetings. No formal direction or commitment to allocate the parcel for an equestrian facility was made at the workshop.