July 16, 2010 Becky Kelley, Director We're Horse Friendly in Georgia.

July 16, 2010 Becky Kelley, Director

We're Horse Friendly

in Georgia

Department of Natural ResourcesParks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division

SE Equestrian Conference

Asked to speak about:

• Georgia DNR/Parks & Historic Sites Division's equestrian opportunities

• Georgia's Outdoor Recreation Plan and it's connection to equestrian opportunities

• Impacts of the Recreation Trails Program

• Working together to reposition for a brighter future


GA State Parks & Historic Sites

45 state parks

3 state historic parks

15 state historic sites

84,000 acres

9 golf courses

372 cottages

52 group shelters

41 campgrounds/2,400+ sites

14 group camps/lodges

7 lodges/conference centers

523 miles of hiking, biking, nature, canoeing/kayaking & equestrian trails


GA DNR Equestrian Trails & Facilities

Six State Parks

•114 miles of trails•One state-owned stable•Two vendor-owned stables•78 stalls •34 equestrian campsites•One equestrian bunkhouse•One riding ring

Nine Wildlife Management Areas offer Trails (open roads & designated multi-use trails)


GSP Equestrian Services

HARD LABOR CREEK STATE PARK • Trails of various lengths up to 22 miles.• Area includes paved parking, campsites with water and electricity,

a bathroom with hot showers, and a large riding ring

GENERAL COFFEE STATE PARK • 13.4 miles of horse trails and 10 equestrian campsites added in 2009• Ride-in sites are primitive• Drive-in sites offer nearby water spigots, pit toilets, grills, fire rings

and picnic tables

A.H. STEPHENS STATE HISTORIC PARK • Primitive camping and 12 miles of unique riding trails


GSP Equestrian Services

FORT MOUNTAIN STATE PARK • Stables and horse rentals are available at this park. • More than 25 miles of horse trails offer loop rides varying from 3 to 16

miles

WATSON MILL BRIDGE STATE PARK • 14 miles of trails with an equestrian camping area

• At the head of the horse trail system, there is a camping area for equestrians

F.D. ROOSEVELT STATE PARK • Stables and horse rentals are available adjacent to this park for

access to its 28 miles of trails


GSP Equestrian Work Day 2010

• 141 volunteers donated 683 workhours at five state parks

• Equestrian Clubs Statewide provided lunch for volunteers and worked with Parks Friends organizations and Park Staff to coordinate the event.

• Groups volunteered from as far away as 100miles

• Erosion and trail bed improvements were made at all trails

• 100 ft of boardwalk was replaced at General Coffee

• Fort Mountain had two new outhouses, build new bunks, installed benches and did painting at the Horse Camp

• A.H Stephens had two campsites constructed and two more began


GSP Budget Reductions 2008-2011

$15,000,000

$20,000,000

$25,000,000

$30,000,000

$35,000,000

$40,000,000

$45,000,000

FY08 FY09 FY10 Proposed AFY10

Proposed FY11

Parks

<$14 million

40%+ drop+-$26 million


FY 2010 Greater Sustainability Actions

• Major expenditure reductions system-wide

• Amended operations, service delivery approaches & staff levels

• Transitioning select sites to local operation

• Developing supportive partnerships with local communities & interest groups

• Seeking public & public-private partnerships

• Creating a new business model for the future


Ga DNR Budget Priorities

1. Maintain law enforcement and public safety

2. Protect public health and environment

3. Keep facilities open and fully consider economic impact to local communities

4. Fully leverage federal funds and self-generated revenues

5. Enhance system when funds or partnerships allow


Importance of Parks/Historic Sites

• Protect natural & cultural resources of statewide significance, connect people to nature & heritage, & provide outdoor recreation opportunities

• Attract tourists, business, industry & new residents• Create jobs• Enhance property values• Reduce health & public infrastructure costs• Generate local spending & economic development


Our Economic Importance

Economic Tiers 2010Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Tier 4

• For every $1 of state funds invested in 2009, $33 was generated in local economic impact

• Tier 1 counties (our most

economically challenged) host 43% of our state parks & historic sites

• Tier 2 counties host 25%


Georgia Outdoor Recreation Plan

Georgia SCORP2008-2013

Winner of the 2009 Inaugural National Award of Planning

Excellence

Awarded by National Park Service, National Association of Recreation

Resource Planners

www.gastateparks.org/scorp


SCORP - Cause for Concern

Rapid urbanization & loss of greenspace

Significant demographic transitions

Obesity epidemic & declining public health

Diminished conservation ethic

Local communities want economic growth

Growing support for outdoor recreation


SCORP: A New Strategic Direction

Local, state and federal governments must work with private sector organizations to invest in parks & outdoor recreation opportunities that:

• Promote Health/Fitness & Livability of All Georgia Communities

• Enhance Georgia's Economic Vitality

• Conserve & Properly Use Georgia’s Natural Resources


Process to Change Behaviors

Outcome Goals: • Healthier, more sustainable Georgia

• Abundant, protected natural resources

• Responsive, accessible recreation opportunities

• Thriving and sustainable communities


GA SCORP 2008-2013

Equestrian References

•As a key recommendation in promoting livable communities by connecting existing facilities for use by equestrians and other non-motorized modes of transportation •As a directive for ALL outdoor recreation providers and partners to improve access to outdoor recreation resources and facilities by providing locations near where people live and work and exploring ways to connect existing facilities for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles (bikes, in-line skates, horses, etc.)


GA SCORP 2008-2013

• At our public meetings, one of the most frequently-made comments related to providing for equestrian access/sports

• "Efforts should be made to increase equine opportunity by providing:

(1) longer trails, 10 to 20 miles (2) areas for camping with horses (3) more opportunity in southwest GA(4) sufficient space for trucks and horse

trailers"

• Some comments that it is important to keep horse trails and foot trails separated


Proposed GA Scenic Trail System

• Incorporate urban, bicycle, horse, rural hiking, primitive hiking, historical, recreational, water & combination trails

• Assist & encourage local jurisdictions, other state agencies, private associations & groups for trail development & maintenance

• Outline long-term needs for acquisition, development, maintenance & education


Recreation Trails Program

Recreational Trails Program (RTP): federal grants that directly benefit access to public lands by funding development of new trails and maintenance of existing trails

Future of funding: Congress is currently deliberating on the shape and contents of the next transportation bill, which may or may not reauthorize the RTP.

Next GA grant cycle begins in October 2010: Funds available for nonmotorized trails - about $2 million.


Recreation Trails Program

Georgia's Trails and Greenways Advisory Committee Equestrian representatives:

Diane Ayres Chattahoochee Trail Horse Association

Larry Wheat Backcountry Horsemen of North Georgia

Mike Medlock Rockdale Trailblazers


Recreation Trail Program

Past five years’ grants benefitting equestrian trails (7 grants totaling $513,858):

•USFS, Lake Russell Trail Complex - $28,098

•USFS, Jake & Bull Mountain Trail System - $32,800

•Cherokee County, Garland Mountain Trails - $75,000

•Gwinnett County, Harbins Trails - $100,000

•USFS, Dry Creek Trail System - $81,000

•USFS, Ocmulgee River Equestrian Trails - $100,000

•GA DNR, Cloudland Connector - $96,960


Want to get involved?

• Continue to stay in touch with you representatives on our Trails and Greenway Advisory Committee

• Continue to help maintain and enhance the equestrian amenities at your area state parks

• Continue to provide people with opportunities to experience our great outdoors via horseback

• Continue to advocate for your state parks by letting your elected leaders know about the importance of supporting our public lands and natural spaces


FriendsofGaStateParks.org

partner. promote. preserve.

• 53 Chapters w/ more forming

• $167,000+ in Chapter grants and projects in FY 2009

• 54,200+ volunteer hours (equates to $1,100,000+)

• More than $3.5 mm to sites since 2007

• SaveMyStateParks.org


Get Outdoors Georgia! Rec Clubs


A New GO Recreation Club?

How about we start the

"Get Out and

Giddy-Up Club"?


A goal for the future?

Continue to work with us to

add a few more dots to this map

and make Georgia an even greater equestrian destination!


Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites

Thank You

Becky Kelley

georgiastateparks.org

[email protected]

404-656-9448

July 16, 2010 Becky Kelley, Director We're Horse Friendly in Georgia.

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Transcript of July 16, 2010 Becky Kelley, Director We're Horse Friendly in Georgia.