Town of Hodges, AL. Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Business & Master Plan

Transcription

1 Town of Hodges, AL Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Business & Master Plan Town of Hodges, P.O. Box 87, Hodges, Alabama

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3 "The beauty and charm of the wilderness are his for the asking, for the edges of the wilderness lie close beside the beaten roads of the present travel." - President Theodore Roosevelt Farmer Morgan Creators of Memorable Places

4 Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park Acknowledgments The Rock Bridge Canyon (RBC) Equestrian Trail Park Business and Master Plan has been prepared by for the by Farmer Morgan, L. L. C.. The funding was provided by the Town of Hodges. The purpose of this plan is to determine the physical and financial capabilities of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park to be operated by the Town of Hodges in Franklin County, Alabama. Funding for project development and construction is provided in part by the Alabama Department of Economic & Community Affairs, Recreational and Conservation Unit, Recreational Trails Program. The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park Business & Master Plan analyzes the opportunities and constraints of the proposed project in conjunction with the user survey conducted in March of The project components that are proposed in this document are results of the user survey and analysis by Farmer Morgan. T own of Hodges, Alabama The Honorable, Edward Crouch, Mayor Samantha Gann, Council Member B etty Gob er, Council Memb e r R onald Holland, Council Memb e r J ames Isom, Council Member M elissa McHenry, Council Member F rank ie Petree, City Record e r Alabama Department of Economic & Community Affairs Jim Byard, Jr., Director R o b Grant, State Trails Coordinator, Recreation & Conservation Unit M anager Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments K eith J ones, Executive Director K enneth Brooks, Director, Governmental Services Lucas Blankenship, Community Develop ment & Planning Sp ecialist F armer Morgan, LLC B enj amin Farmer Princip a l - Manag ing p artner b farmer@farmermorg an.com R and a ll C. Morg an Princip a l - Dirctor of Design rand@farmermorg an.com Chastidy Pip e r P l anner cpi p er@farmermorg an.com Hodges, Alabama

5 Table of Contents Executive Summary... Equestrian Trail Park Summary... Equestrian Park Description & Services... Equestrian Park Master Plan... Capital Costs & Phasing... Market Analysis... A7 B11 C25 D41 E67 F71 Market Strategy... G102 Financial Plan... H112 Appendix... I120 August 9, 2012

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7 A Executive Summary

8 RBC Equestrian park Executive Summary The is proposing the development of an equestrian trail park within their municipal limits just north of their downtown area. The Town s vision is to become a tourist destination for equestrian recreational opportunities in Franklin County and throughout the southeast. The park will be called the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park. The main objective of the park is to create an economic driver for the Town of Hodges and the surrounding community that capitalizes on the local and regional assets. Their goal is to develop and maintain an equestrian trail park that meets the needs of trail riders and equine sports enthusiasts while supporting and encourage local equine industries. The trail system will link and provide connectivity between local recreation sites, the downtown commercial corridor, and adjacent communities for equestrian riders. The goal is to create a community that fosters an equestrian lifestyle and serves as a center for equine activities in the southeast. The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Business Plan evaluates the potential opportunities of developing the trail park and establishes a plan for park development. The Park Summary Section gives a brief park overview of the trail park and the proposed scope of development and discusses the legal authority and structure of park management as well as outline the Management, Operations, and Personnel Plan for the park. Facility requirements such as insurance and liability waivers are also discussed. Park rules and operational hours are outlined and environmental compliance standards are also identified. The Park Description Section describes the physical setting and characteristics of the proposed land for park development. The phases of park development are outlined and an inventory of park facilities and services is listed with descriptions. Park use and events, vendors, and park safety and maintenance are also addressed in this section. The Park Master Plan Section contains a detailed description of the trail system as well as all proposed trailhead amenities such as overnight camping, barn stalls and arena. The section begins discussing horse behavior and how that effects trail development. Trail development standards are outlined including trail hierarchies, levels of difficulty, trail classes, trail design and layout, trail carrying capacities and densities, and physical design characteristics. Trail alignment, slope, soil, erosion, road crossings, water crossings, vegetation, and signage is discussed and assessed for the park. The Capital Cost and Phasing Section identifies the phases of park development and their associated actions. Construction estimates per activity, per phase are then assigned to each activity to project development costs. The Market Analysis Section assesses the results of the Public Opinion Survey conducted with the development of this business plan. The survey results established a social demographic profile of a typical trail rider, identified trail user characteristics and preferences, and defined economic characteristics of trail riders and their economic impact on host communities and industries. This section also provides competitive comparison of existing equestrian trail parks within the southeast to assess their current amenities and user fees and identifies industry fee A8

9 Executive Summary RBC Equestrian Park standards for specific amenities. The Marketing Strategy Section defines the value proposition and competitive edge of the Hodges equestrian park. Competitive comparison of existing park user fees is assessed and establishes a user fee/permit schedule for trail riding at the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park. This section also defines logo, branding, and merchandising needs and identifies marketing programs for park success. The Financial Plan Section identifies the project cost and revenues for park operation. The section determines sales forecast and assumptions based on market trends and provides future revenue projections based on seasonal ridership as well as annual trail visitor reports from other equestrian trails in the region. Profit and loss pro-forma estimates are identified and projected to demonstrate the financial sustainability and success of the park. The Appendix contains draft documents and necessary reference materials to initiate the park management board and other administrative activities. In addition, the appendix contains trail construction and design guidelines, manuals and documents. Farmer Morgan is pleased to provide the Town of Hodges with this business plan. The opportunity for a new economic driver and revitalized community in Hodges awaits those who wish to seek it. We hope this plan provides a firm foundation for moving forward in receiving grants and other sources of development funds. A9

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11 Equestrian Trail Park SummaryB

12 RBC Equestrian park Park Summary Vision The Town of Hodges vision is to become a destination and gateway to the equestrian recreation opportunities available in Franklin County. Their goal is to develop and maintain an equestrian trail park that meets the needs of the local and regional equine community and supports and encourages equestrian sports and industries. The park will consists of many types of horse trails of varying length and difficulty, horse amenities such as stables and corrals, and an arena/event area for various equine sporting events, shows, and concerts. The equestrian park and trail will be situated in the natural and beautiful rolling hills and forests of the Tennessee Valley in northwest Alabama and owned and maintained by the Town of Hodges. The family-oriented park will serve as a tourist attraction to the Town of Hodges and surrounding area and stimulate the community s local economy. Mission In pursuit of the vision, the Town of Hodges has defined the following five missions and identified park goals to support these mission statements. Recreational Opportunity: Develop an equestrian recreation facility that will attract and serve the needs of the equine community. Provide 40 miles of scenic equestrian trails through forests and pastures with points of interest and overlooks. The focus of trail design will be for equestrian use only, while allowing for pedestrian access. No motorized vehicles will be allowed. Provide an arena/event area for hosting equestrian sports, shows, and music concerts. Also provide small amphitheatre for smaller entertaining within the campground. Provide horse amenities such as a barn with covered stables, open stables at campsites, a small walking corral, horse feed, farrier service, and tack shop. Provide observation areas for trail users along the trails at points of interest or scenic overlooks. Identify and label all trails and points of interest along trails. Utilize trail progression markers along trails to indicate distances to trail's end. Provide equestrian trail linkage and connectivity to recreational and commercial points of interest within the Town of Hodges. To foster an equestrian oriented town where equestrian use is common form of transportation. Encourage and support equine industry related commercial and infrastructure development within the Town limits. Provide an information kiosk at trailhead displaying park grounds and trails. Provide paper trail maps to trail users. This should also include restaurants and business B12

13 Park Summary RBC Equestrian Park in town that provide horse transit amenities (hitching rails) an/or sell horse related items. Customer Convenience: Provide additional park amenities to serve the basic daily needs of equestrian riders. Provide restrooms with showers. Provide adequate and desirable parking facilities to accommodate trucks hauling horse trailers and have water access near this facility for horses. Provide a walking ring for horse warm-up and cool down before and after trail rides. Maintain adequate staff onsite during hours of operation to serve the needs of park visitors. Operate a camp store that sells basic necessities and groceries as well as tack shop merchandise. Provide horse feed, stall shavings, and farrier services for nominal fees to trail and park users. Provide mounting ramps for the disabled. Tourist Destination: Create a tourist destination and provide long-term stay opportunities for park visitors. Provide primitive, tent, and rv camping facilities within the park. Provide overnight amenities for horses such as campsite uncovered stables/corrals and barn/covered stables for boarding. Design trails to conserve and utilize the natural beauty of the landscape to create scenic trails that showcase the natural beauty and biodiversity of the Tennessee Valley Divide. Design quality equestrian trails utilizing recommended design guidelines and substrates employed in various trail design resource documents developed by the U.S. Park Service, the Forest Service, the Department of Agriculture, and the Federal Highway Administration. Become an equestrian town with trail connectivity from trailhead to commercial areas including downtown. The trail system will also connect the Town of Hodges to the adjacent Town of Vina to the northwest. Establish Hodges as an equine community destination. Encourage and support equine industry related commercial and infrastructure development within the Town limits and provide maps identifying these points of interest to park visitors. Provide an information kiosk at trailhead displaying park grounds and trails. B13

14 RBC Equestrian park Park Summary Provide an arena/event area for hosting horse shows, competitive equestrian sports, and music concerts. Host large annual equestrian events, shows, competitions, and music concerts to attract users from across the southeast. Examples of smaller organized events could include weddings and children's trail riding birthday parties. Establish park logo/branding for advertisement as a tourist attraction. Individual and Family Safety: Provide a family-oriented atmosphere throughout the park and promote trail safety through oversight and management. Establish park and trail rules to decrease the likelihood of injuries and promote safety of park users. Require that all park users are informed of park safety rules and given a copy of these rules in addition to signing a park liability waiver. Employ staff to patrol and enforce trail and park rules. Maintain park employee at the park 24 hours a day after the opening of the camping facilities. Distribute to park users and post emergency contact information for the local hospital, police, ema, and fire department. Keep first-aid supplies in the camp general store. Park Sustainability: Ensure park sustainability through management, marketing, and compliance. Ensure park values and vision are maintained through adequate management and operation. Develop and implement techniques to operate the park at maximum financial efficiency. Develop, adopt, and implement park Management, Operations, and Personnel Plan and Park Board Bylaws. Keep park and trails well groomed and maintained for daily use. Establish marketing strategies to promote the park and attract users for park revenue to support operation. Maintain open dialogue and solicit input from park users via comment/suggestion cards to ensure needs are being met and identify areas of improvement. Inspect and repair all trails and facilities regularly to ensure environmental compliance B14

15 Park Summary RBC Equestrian Park with all state and federal laws and prevent substantial adverse impact to sensitive areas such as streams. Utilize and maintain erosion and sediment control Best Management Practices (BMPs) during trail construction and maintenance for good environmental stewardship. Park Overview and Development The is proposing the development of an equestrian trail park that will be called Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park. The Town of Hodges is located in the northwestern corner of the state. See Map 3.1. The park will be located in the northeast portion of the Hodges Town limits in Franklin County. The land projected for park development is located in the heart of town less than 1,500 feet north of the downtown area and consists of 4 parcels of land totaling 160 acres. The land is located on the east side of Alabama Highway 172 with over 1,200 of road frontage. The property currently has road access on Highway 172 at two locations. See Map 3.2. See Appendix 1 for all parcel maps and legal descriptions of all proposed lands proposed for park development and/or easements. The Town owns the 160 acre site where the trailhead, campgrounds, two miles of equestrian trails, and other amenities are proposed including a small arena/event area, a small barn with covered stables, paddocks and corrals, a small amphitheatre, and a camp store/tack shop. The majority of the trail system will be on adjacent land with over 30 miles of trails located on Bear Creek Development Authority land and over 7 miles of trails located along the abandoned Illinois Central Railroad corridor. Total equestrian trail length is estimated to be 40 miles. The trailhead (40 acres) and campground (120 acres) with trail system combined is estimated to be around 160 acres. The vision of the trail system is to link and provide connectivity via the trails between local recreation sites and the downtown commercial corridor for equestrian riders. The trail system will also link the Town of Hodges to the Town of Vina to the northwest via the Illinois Central Railroad corridor. The long term goal is to create a community where horse transit throughout the community is a common and acceptable mode of travel and serves as a tourist attraction and destination for equestrian recreation, sports, and the equine industry. The development of the trailhead and trail system is the first step to accomplishing this vision. The project has been divided into four phases of development: Phase I, II, III, IV. Phase I includes the development and construction of the trailhead which is projected to include day use bathrooms, welcome/permit station, park office, equipment storage building, standard and horse trailer parking facilities, hitching rails, picnic tables, entry signage, pavilion. Phase I is also projected to include development and construction of the off-site trail system located on Bear Creek Development Authority property and Illinois Central Railroad property. All trail development and construction includes all required environmental mitigation specifications for trail development. Phase I will include the establishment of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Board and associated bylaws. Phase II is projected to include further development of the trailhead, development and construction of the campground including the individual site amenities, the bathhouses, and uncovered stables located at each type of camp site. Phase II will also include development and construction of the additional trailhead amenities including a portion of the barn/covered stables facility, and continued development of the onsite and off-site trail system. Phase II contains the installation of trail- B15

16 R BC Equestr i a n pa r k Park Summary LAUDERDALE LIMESTONE JACKSON MADISON COLBERT LAWRENCE FRANKLIN CHEROKEE CULLMAN BLOUNT LAMAR DE KALB MARSHALL WINSTON MARION MORGAN WALKER FAYETTE ETOWAH CALHOUN CLEBURNE ST CLAIR JEFFERSON PICKENS TALLADEGA TUSCALOOSA SHELBY BIBB GREENE COOSA CHILTON CLAY RANDOLPH CHAMBERS TALLAPOOSA HALE PERRY AUTAUGA SUMTER LEE ELMORE MACON DALLAS MONTGOMERY LOWNDES CHOCTAW MARENGO RUSSELL BULLOCK WILCOX BUTLER CRENSHAW CLARKE BARBOUR PIKE MONROE CONECUH WASHINGTON COFFEE DALE HENRY COVINGTON ESCAMBIA MOBILE GENEVA HOUSTON BALDWIN MAP 3.1 Location of Franklin County and the Town of Hodges, AL B16 Town o f Ho d g es, A l a b a ma

17 SHADY BEND DR Park Summary RBC Equestrian Park WHEELER RD ROOKE DR CANYON RD GRAVEL GAP RD STIDHAM RD BUSTER BAKER RD SUNSET RD ROBERT E LEE DR MAIN ST HWY 172 MCCLUSKEY RD HWY 187 DEPOT ST LOVETT LN HWY 187 DOWNS DR Miles MAP 3.2 Parcel Location of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park and Trail in the Town of Hodges, AL B17

18 RBC Equestrian park Park Summary head fencing and trail signage once trail system construction is complete. Phase II will include the establishment and adoption of the Park Management, Operations, and Personnel Plan by the Park Board, and further design and construction of the park entrance and trailhead with park branding and merchandising. Phase III. is projected to contains construction of the campground internal horse trails, the Equestrian Center & Tack Shop, campground utilities, additional campground bathrooms and covered stalls for 20 horses. The storm water containment pond and equipment storage building and maintenance office will also be constructed in this phase. Phase IV. Contains the final development of the project with 5 rental cabins, and the arena event area consisting of arena parking and the covered arena. Legal Authority and Structure The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (Public Law ;16 U.S.C et seq) was passed in 1965 to assist in preserving, developing and assuring accessibility to outdoor recreation resources and to strengthen the health and vitality of U.S. citizens by providing funds and authorizing federal assistance to states in planning, acquiring and developing land and water areas and facilities, and by providing funds for federal acquisition and development of lands and other areas. The Act requires states to develop outdoor recreation program plans prior to receiving financial support. Funds obtained by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act were used to partially fund the establishment of Alabama s outdoor recreation program plan called Alabama s Alabama Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan In addition to the policy document, a companion document, titled The 2008 Alabama State Trail Plan, was developed with support from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Development (ADECA), which identifies statewide recreational trail needs and priorities. The plan identifies equestrian trails as a desired type of recreational development in Alabama and supports future development of these trail types within the state to meet current demands. The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is administered by the Federal Highway Administration and provides states with funds to acquire, develop, and maintain trails. The program is authorized under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act, (23 U.S.C. 206 (d). The Act requires states to develop a recreational trails plan that identifies a state policy plan. In Alabama, the RTP is administered by ADECA, Recreation Division. Funds from the RTP program are being used in the development of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park. The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will be owned, maintained, and operated by the through the establishment of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Board. The responsibilities of the Park Board include oversight and management of all aspects of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park s development, operation, maintenance, economic growth, environmental compliance, and financial management to ensure the Park s success as an economic stimulant to the community and its sustainability through its own generated revenue. The Park Board shall also serve as a liaison between the Hodges Town Council and the citizens of the Town. The Park Board should consists of seven members: the Mayor, two councilmen, 2 local equestrian club members, and two people from the general public such as equine industry retailers and/or businesses impacted by the equestrian trail park such as gas stations and restaurants. The Park Board will employ personnel to manage and operate the park. The park will operate under the B18

19 Park Summary RBC Equestrian Park auspices of the Town and Park personnel will report to the Park Board and the Park Board will report to the Town Council. The Park Board will consist of the following officers: president, vicepresident, secretary, and treasurer. The Park Board should hold one regularly scheduled meeting a month. See Appendix 2 for Park Board Draft Bylaws. Management, Operations, and Personnel Plan The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Board will hire and employ personnel to manage and operate the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park. Recruitment of staff will be done by advertisement in local newspapers. Park operation, maintenance, patrol, and management is projected to require seven employees with daily operations requiring 3-4 employees present on weekdays and 5-8 employees present on weekends, depending on time of year and scheduled events. A park employee will be required at the park 24 hours a day after the camp ground opens. Projected staff include: a Park Director to oversee daily operations, maintenance, staff, and report to Park Board; three Park Rangers for trail patrol, safety, and maintenance; and one retail/customer service/activities director to sell day and annual trail user permits, camping permits, man the check-in/ welcome station, and sell park merchandise, groceries, and supplies at the Park General Store. An estimated one campground service person will be required to undertake food preparation and food service as well as maintain cabins and campsites as required. In addition, part-time staff may be required during peak season. The Park Director shall perform the responsibility of Project Coordinator during the park development and construction prior to park opening. The Project Coordinator reports to the Park Board and is responsible for the oversight and coordination of the planning, administration, development, and construction of the park facilities, trailhead, and trails. Figure 3.1 illustrates the order of park management and authority. A Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Management, Operations, and Personnel Plan shall be developed by the Park Board and approved by the Hodges Town Council and function in a regulatory capacity for park operations. A Fees/Violation Schedule will be developed in and adopted with the Park s Management and Operations Plan and enforced for trail rule violations such as riding without a permit. See Appendix 3 for an example outline draft of the Management, Operations, and Personnel Plan. Volunteers Some park responsibilities such as trail construction and maintenance will be performed by volunteers from local equestrian club members. Volunteers from clubs may off-set the need for employment of some of the projected park staff during park development, early park operations following park opening, and during park off-season when trail use and revenues are lower. A Memorandum of Agreement shall be established and approved by the Park Board and individuals or clubs to exchange trail construction, patrol, and/or maintenance of trails via labor and materials for park use permits. The Agreement should assign certain rights and responsibilities to clubs or individuals for a designated period. The rights and responsibilities should include: To work cooperatively with the Park Board in providing and maintaining an environmentally-sound, safe, functional, attractive, and user-friendly equestrian trail system. Right to recreationally use the trail system in exchange for volunteered labor and/or B19

20 RBC Equestrian park Park Summary Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Ranger Patrol Officer Hodges Town Council Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Board Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Director Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Ranger Patrol Officer Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Ranger Patrol Officer Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Activities & Communications Director Figure Order of Park Management & Authority. Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Staff Maintenance B20

21 Park Summary RBC Equestrian Park materials approved and coordinated through the Park Manager and Board in one or more of the following ways:. To volunteer trail system construction following environmentally sound trail design guidelines and erosion and sediment control BMPs, including installation of trail signage, in coordination and cooperation with the Park Manager and Board. To volunteer trailhead/park amenities construction and maintenance in coordination and cooperation with Park Manager and Board. To volunteer trail system maintenance to utilize and repair erosion control BMPs, mitigate adverse environmental impact, implement environmental compliance, and ensure public safety in cooperation and coordination with the Park Manager and Board. To volunteer trail system patrol to uphold park rules to ensure trail integrity and public safety in cooperation and coordination with the Park Manager and Board. To volunteer guided equestrian rides for special occasions such as for children or groups with special needs. Facility Requirements In order to maintain the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park as a safe, family-oriented recreational opportunity and economic driver for the Hodges community, the following facility requirements shall be implemented to ensure financial sustainability, public safety, and environmental compliance. Park User Fees Fee schedules will be assigned to trail use and camping facilities. Trail use permits will include daily permits, weekend/special event permits, and annual permits. Trail user will be required to carry their user permit while on trails and each permit is valid for one rider and one horse. A spectators/hikers fee will be required of individuals entering the park who do not wish to ride the trails. Fee schedules will also be assigned to camping facilities. A detailed list and explanation of the proposed park fee schedules is located in Section 9, Financial Plan. Insurance The Alabama Equine Activity Statute, Code of Ala (1994), protects equine facility owners by preventing equine activity participants and others from bringing suit and recovery damages if an injury results from an inherit risk of an equine activity. See Appendix 4 for Alabama Statute. The statute requires that the participant be notified of the law and a warning sign posted near equine facilities such as trailheads, barns, and arenas. In addition, the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park is required to maintain park liability insurance coverage and event liability insurance coverage specifically for equine activities. The Park Board is responsible for selecting an insurance company with the approval of the Hodges Town Council. Park visitors are required to sign a Hold Harmless/Liability Waiver releasing the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park of any liability and stating the visitor s voluntary assumption of risk upon park entry. The Park B21

22 RBC Equestrian park Park Summary Waiver will reference the Alabama Equine Activity Statute and clearly print the required warning notification as it appears with the state code. See Appendix 5 for example Liability Waivers. Trail Rules for Public Safety The trail rules listed below will increase trail safety and compliance with environmental regulations. The rules should be printed on the park brochure distributed to park visitors when they enter the park and purchase a trail user permit. There will be separate park rules for the camping facilities drafted at a later date by the Park Board. All park users shall be courteous and considerate to other trail and park users and humane and kind to all horses within the park. All trail users must have a valid Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Permit. The equestrian trail user permit is to be carried on person while in trail system. Hikers/spectators must also carry entrance permit receipt at all times. All persons must carry an acceptable form of photo identification at all times (driver's license, military ID, or passport). Hikers and spectators must yield to horsemen and pass on equine's left. All horses must have current negative coggins test papers to enter. No persons in the park system may ride, drive, lead, or keep a saddle horse except on a horseback-riding trail or in a horseback-riding area so designated and posted. No person may ride a saddle horse in a way that is dangerous to a person or animal. No person may allow his saddle horse to stand unattended or insecurely tied. No person may hitch a saddle horse to a tree, shrub, or structure in a way that causes damage. Horses must be secured with a halter and leadrope to hitching rails(provided throughout trail). Riders shall slow to a walk when meeting other riders or hikers. Riders shall ask permission of riders in front before passing. Helmets are strongly recommended but not required. The Park office maintains a few helmets onsite for trail use that may be checked out for a nominal fee. No alcoholic beverages may be consumed or carried on trails. Park quiet hours are between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. No glass containers on trails. No discharging of firearms within park. Obey all signs, gates, and barriers. Stay on marked trails. Cutting new trails is strictly prohibited. B22

23 Park Summary RBC Equestrian Park Observe one-way trail directions on designated trails. Only enter and exit the trail systems at the trailhead. Do not enter a "no trail," "no entry" or gated area. Stop when signaled by a park ranger or employee. Adult supervision is required on trails for those under age 14. Do not litter. Cigarette butts are considered litter. No fires or fireworks on trail system. Trail system is open from sunrise to sunset. Night riding is prohibited unless special request is made to and approved by Park manager 24 hours in advance. Be considerate of other riders while riding trails and report any unauthorized or illegal behavior observed. First offense violators of any of the park rules may be served one warning depending on severity. Additional or severe violations will result in suspension from the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park as follows: Second Offense: Revocation of permit for one day. Third Offense: Suspension from the park for one month. Fourth Offense: Banishment from the park. In addition, Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park may exact any other penalties allowed by law. Environmental Compliance Equestrian trail parks are a low impact form of tourist industry economic development and allow the natural state and terrain of large tracts of land to remain undeveloped with the exception of the trail system, the parking facility, and a few small buildings. Equestrian parks and trails create an opportunity for people to enjoy and develop respect for nature and animals by providing opportunities to interact with them. Equestrian trail parks also serve as wildlife and natural resource educational facilities and teach good environmental stewardship through implementation of environmental laws and regulations. The following environmental requirements will be implemented by the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park to preserve the beauty and integrity of the natural resources of the trail system that will make the park an attraction to the southeast equine community. During trail design and construction, resource documents such Best Management Practices and design guidelines for trail erosion control will be utilized. The U.S. Park Service has established design guidelines for equestrian trail development and construction that should be used as a guide. In addition, the Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, and the Federal B23

24 RBC Equestrian park Park Summary Highway Administration funded the development of the Equestrian Design Guidebook for Trails, Trailheads, and Campgrounds. This document is also an accepted industry standard resource document for equestrian trail development and should be reviewed and consulted during planning and development. See Appendix 6 for other example trail design resource document. Consultation with state environmental agencies will also be necessary. All required permits and/or letters of request and concurrence should be current and maintained by the Park Manager and Board. Trails should be inspected by park ranger patrol officers on a bi-weekly basis for trail integrity and environmental compliance. Officers should identify any needed maintenance of erosion and sediment BMPs such as damaged silt fences or silt traps that need to be cleaned out. All adverse impacts must be mitigated in a timely manner. Officers must determine if needed maintenance can occur at regularly scheduled trail maintenance times or if immediate action is required. Maintenance priorities will be given to trails adjacent to environmentally sensitive areas such as streams. Regularly scheduled trail maintenance shall occur on needed areas of trails on a quarterly basis. Areas that need minor or heavy maintenance will be indentified by park ranger patrol officers on bi-weekly inspections and repaired at quarterly work sessions by park ranger patrol officers and club and/or individual volunteers. Types of needed repairs could include non-functioning or damaged dips, silt traps, and culverts. As discussed above, all significant adverse impacts must be repaired immediately and may require repair before scheduled quarterly work sessions. All repairs must be documented and filed with the Park Manager and Board. Operational Hours The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will be open year round, weather permitting. The park will be open seven days a week from 7:00am to dusk. Night rides are only permitted through special request and permission only and must be scheduled through the Park Manager at least 24 hours in advance. Peak season is anticipated to follow other park trends and be in the summer months (1st of May through 1st of October) when children are out of school and families take extended trips and vacations. The slow season is anticipated to be the winter months (November-February). Weekend trail and facility use is expected to be considerably higher than weekday use based on trends at other equestrian trail parks. Weekdays are recognized as Monday through Thursday. Weekends are recognized as Friday through Sundays. B24

25 Equestrian Park Description & ServicesC

26 RBC Equestrian park Description & Services Physical Setting The Town of Hodges is located in the northwest portion of Alabama in the southern portion of Franklin County. Hodges is located along the Tennessee Valley Divide which is a drainage basin for the Tennessee River and consists of scenic hills, valleys, and overlooks in open meadows and forested land. The beautiful topography of the land, natural features, and biodiversity has attracted many outdoor recreation enthusiasts for decades that travel to the area to visit the Bear Creek Reservoir, Rock Bridge Canyon, and the Dismals Natural Landmark. The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad was built along the Tennessee Valley Divide which resulted in the creation of many communities throughout the Tennessee Valley, including the Town of Hodges. The Town of Hodges has a total area of 3.1 square miles and an elevation of 863 ft. The 2010 census reported a population of 312. In 2000, the population was only 261. The Town more than tripled in size between 2000 and 2010 by increasing its population by 634 individuals. The Town is located at the intersection of Alabama Highway 172 and Alabama Highway 187. These two-lane roads connect Hodges to regional roadways: Alabama Highway 24 to the north and U.S. Highway 43 to the south. See Map 3.1. Hodges is located 15 miles north of Hamilton, AL; 17 miles west of Phil Campbell, AL; 17 miles east of Red Bay, AL; 22 miles south of Russellville, AL; and 41 miles south of the Quad Cities (Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, Sheffield, and Florence, AL). Proposed Location and Sketch Plan The proposed location of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park is located in the northeast portion of the Hodges Town limits in Franklin County. The land projected for park development is located in the heart of town less than 1,500 feet north of the downtown area and consists of 4 parcels of land totaling 160 acres. The land is located on the east side of Alabama Highway 172 with over 1,200 of road frontage. The land currently has road access on Highway 172 at two locations. See Map 3.2. The 160 acre portion of land will be location of the trailhead, day use restrooms/office, welcome/check-in station, camp store/tack shop, campgrounds and bathhouse, barn/ covered stables, amphitheatre, arena, paddocks/corrals, equipment storage area, and two miles of trails circling the property. The remainder of the 38 miles of equestrian trails will be located on adjacent land: 7-8 miles will be located along the abandoned Illinois Central Gulf Railroad corridor and 30 miles of trails will be located on Bear Creek Development Authority land. The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad Corridor trail portion will connect the Town of Hodges to the Town of Vina to the northwest. Figure 4.1 illustrates the proposed Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Sketch Site Plan. Proposed Park Construction Phases Complete park development and construction is projected to take 5-10 years. The proposed park development and construction schedule is listed below in Table 4.1 This schedule is subject to change as a result of unforeseen circumstances that cannot be identified or planned for at this time. Inventory of Park Facilities and Services C26

27 R BC Equestr i a n Pa r k Description & Services LAUDERDALE LIMESTONE MADISON JACKSON COLBERT LAWRENCE FRANKLIN CHEROKEE CULLMAN BLOUNT LAMAR DE KALB MARSHALL WINSTON MARION MORGAN WALKER FAYETTE ETOWAH CALHOUN CLEBURNE ST CLAIR JEFFERSON PICKENS TALLADEGA TUSCALOOSA SHELBY BIBB COOSA GREENE CHILTON CLAY RANDOLPH CHAMBERS TALLAPOOSA HALE PERRY AUTAUGA SUMTER LEE ELMORE MACON DALLAS MONTGOMERY LOWNDES CHOCTAW MARENGO RUSSELL BULLOCK WILCOX BUTLER CRENSHAW CLARKE BARBOUR PIKE MONROE CONECUH WASHINGTON COFFEE DALE HENRY COVINGTON ESCAMBIA MOBILE GENEVA HOUSTON BALDWIN MAP 3.1 Location of Franklin County and the Town of Hodges, AL T o w n o f Ho d g es, A l a b a ma C27

28 RBC Equestrian park Description & Services Trail System The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park will provide a range and diversity of trail types to serve equestrian trail riding enthusiasts. The park trail system will accommodate all kinds of riders from the more experienced, long distance endurance rider to the more relaxed, shorter distance pleasure rider. The trail system will feature scenic overlook areas that provide ideal resting places. The following trail characteristics provide an overview of the park trail system. A more detailed assessment of the equestrian trail design and layout is discussed in Section 5- The Equestrian Trail Master Plan. Trail Use The main use of the trail system will involve riders of all ages and disciplines who will come to the equestrian trail park to ride the 40 miles of beautiful paths through the woods and open fields. This is a leisure activity intended for horses only. No motorized vehicles will be permitted. Hikers/spectators will be permitted on the trail system but shall always yield to, and be secondary in use, to horses. The number of riders and length of their rides will vary depending on the riding group and the event. Trail riding will occur in daylight hours and the riders will be arriving at all different times. The primary use of the trail system will be for pleasure riding. However, the trail system will host organized special events such as competitive trail riding and endurance trail riding. In competitive trail riding, a distance, usually between miles, over varied terrain must be completed in an optimum time. Riders do not know what the optimum time is and must figure out the appropriate pace. Veterinarians evaluate the health of the horses before and after the competition to ensure the horses safety. In endurance trail riding, riders compete long distances, sometimes over the course of several days, to finish the trail system first. Endurance trail riding competitions at Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park would include the entire 40 mile trail system, and be divided up in two or three day treks. The competitors bring everything they need, including food and camping supplies, to survive on the trail for the entire length of the competition. The event involves starting riders early in the morning and establishing allowed riding times, such as from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with required veterinarian check points along the way. Horses are not permitted pass check points if they are demonstrating signs of adverse stress. Trail Length and Width The trail system length will be determined by the topography and natural features of the land. Current projections of trail system length are: 2 miles on the Town s trailhead property; 7-8 miles located along the abandoned Illinois Central Gulf Railroad corridor; and 30 miles located on Bear Creek Development Authority land. Trail system design will utilize trail loops, usually between every 5-10 miles, to allow riders to leave the main trail system and return to the trailhead. Trail bed width is currently projected to be 10 feet wide with 3.5 feet of clear zone on each side for a total clearance of 17 feet in trail width. This allows for two horses to ride sideby-side on the trail or space for hikers/spectators to yield to passing horses. The 10 foot trail width also provides passing space for other horses and their riders during pleasure trail riding or competitive events. Trail height clearance will total 12 feet, per typical equestrian C28

29 SHADY BEND DR Description & Services RBC Equestrian Park WHEELER RD ROOKE DR CANYON RD GRAVEL GAP RD STIDHAM RD BUSTER BAKER RD SUNSET RD ROBERT E LEE DR MAIN ST HWY 172 MCCLUSKEY RD HWY 187 DEPOT ST LOVETT LN HWY 187 DOWNS DR Miles MAP 3.2 Parcel Location of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park and Trail in the Town of Hodges, AL C29

30 RBC Equestrian park Description & Services trail design standards. Trail design standards will be discussed in more detail in Section 5- The Equestrian Trail Master Plan. Trail Design The design and layout of the trail system will be based on guidelines and practices identified in industry standard reference documents prepared by the U.S. Park Service, the Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, the Federal Highway Administration, and other creditable sources. See Appendix 6. The trail system design and layout will follow the terrain and natural features of the land and follow the standard loop design concept. The loop design concept is composed of a series of looped trails that branch off of a main primary trail that serves as the entrance and exit to the trail system and connects the trail system to the trailhead. The system s main, primary trail will be suitable for all types of riders and provides branches off to other secondary trails designed with a special feature such as a scenic attraction or an elevated user challenge such as increased slope. These secondary trails loop back onto the primary, main trail. Users continue along the looped, primary trail (lowest degree of difficulty) until they reach a desired secondary, themed trail to ride. Secondary trails should posses adequate signage identifying the varying degree of difficulty and any trail features it possess. This provides for a range of recreational riding experiences, with the first, primary loop for the beginner skill level and secondary loops for moderate to advanced skill levels and/or special features. The overall trail system layout also allows the rider to exit the trail system by accessing turn-around trail loops every 5-10 miles that will direct the rider back to the trailhead. Curvilinear trail design concepts should also be utilized which breaks long trail sections into curved, s-shaped portions as opposed to straight trails. This enhances the users experience and enables users to take advantage of landscape features such as scenic vistas and overlooks. Other elements to consider in trail design include: varied width, slope, trail bed aggregate, vegetative clearance zone, obstacles, trail capacity, intersections, and switchbacks. One of the most important things to remember in equestrian trail design is to keep it rustic and natural. Trail Features In equestrian trail systems, trail features include those that enhance the natural beauty of the trail environment and those that enhance the trail riders experience by providing a user convenience. Trail features that enhance the trail environment include, shade and vegetation, scenic vistas and overlooks, open fields, and water features. Trail features that enhance the users experience by providing a convenience include resting areas with potable water and areas for picnicking, trail signage, hitching rails, and other equestrian amenities. The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will utilize these types of trail features throughout the trail system to enhance the riders overall experience. Spectator Opportunities Many equestrian trail riding enthusiast enjoy not only riding the trails, but also watching fellow riders during competitive or endurance challenges. Some friends and family members may also prefer to watch the sport as opposed to participate. Spectator opportunities are safe areas for people to watch the riders at a distance and share in the experience. For this reason, the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will provide a few of these C30

31 Description & Services RBC Equestrian Park Design Co MAP 4.1 Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Sketch Site Plan C31

32 RBC Equestrian park Description & Services types of areas along the trail system. Trailhead Facilities and Amenities The following trailhead facilities and amenities are currently proposed for the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park. Below provides a basic description and overview of each proposed facility and amenity. A more detailed description, including facility dimensions and service capacities, of each of the facilities and amenities is provided in Section 5- The Equestrian Trail Master Plan. Day Use Restrooms/Office/Pavilion The park will provide day use restrooms at the trailhead. The facilities will be modest in the first phase of construction but designed with the ability to expand the facility in the future if necessary when ridership increases. Office space has been planned for the day use area. However, with the growth and expansion opportunities for the overall park, the office space is being relocated in future phases. Future office space will be utilized by the Park Manager and Park Ranger Patrol Officers. It will be the center of park administration and where employees and volunteers report to work. Standard and Horse Trailer Parking The trailhead will have a day use standard parking facility and a day use horse trailer parking facility. Both of these facilities will be located adjacent to the day use restrooms. These facilities are intended to accommodate trailhead visitors, park staff, equestrian day use trail riders, and day use hikers/spectators only. These parking facilities are not intended for overnight trail park users or organized special events. Additional parking will be allocated for overnight trail park users in the campgrounds as well as in the arena/event area. Welcome/Permit Station The entrance is the first impression of the park visitors get when they approach the facility. The entrance should consist of a Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park sign and a landscaped entrance that welcomes visitors. Construction should include the installation of a permit station where visitors are greeted, buy use permits, sign waiver, and receive park permits and/or special event wristbands. This ensures that all park visitors are properly notified of park rules and have completed all documentation and received all necessary materials for a safe and enjoyable experience. During initial park operation prior to the installation of a station, this responsibility can occur out of the office, but is not planned for long-term operation as ridership increases. Informational Kiosk, Trail Markers, and Signage g Phase I proposes the installation of one educational kiosk at the trailhead. The kiosk will possess a diagram of the trail system with the primary trail, turn-around loops, and secondary trails illustrated and identified by level of difficulty and/or special feature. The kiosk shall also list park trail rules and phone numbers for emergency contacts. Additional signage will be installed throughout the park and trail system in Phase II as amenities increase and further trail design and construction is enhanced. Additional signage will include: park C32

33 Description & Services RBC Equestrian Park PHASE I PHASE II Establishment of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Board Employ primary employees (Park Rangers 3) Full Benefits Project development phase I. Complete boundary survey 160 acres Complete topographic survey of Highway 172 entrance Complete construction survey for day use area Design & construct day use area restrooms/pavilion Design & construct day use area parking facilities & sidewalks Design & construct day use area primary drive Design & construct day use area secondary drive Design & construct day use area fence 1,500 l.f. Design & construct day use area entry sign Design & construct day use area check in station, planting plan Design & construct day use area site utilities for estimated 1000 linear feet Design & construction of 19 miles of the 38 miles of offsite trails Environmental compliance / mitigation of trails Establishment/adoption of Park Management, Operations, and Personnel Plan Develop Administration/Regulatory Documents Interview, employ and train, park rangers patrol officers and sales staff Employ Secondary Employees (2) Project development fee phase II. Continued design & construction of 19 miles of the 38 miles of offsite trails Continued environmental compliance / mitigation of trails Design & construct manure collection bin and storage shed Design & construct, install trail signage Design & construct campground and individual camping sites Design & construct internal circulation drive Design & construct gravel drives Design & construct bathrooms with two showers (3) Design & construct barn/covered stalls for 20 horses(2) Design & construct ADA standard mounting platforms (5) Mounting platforms for regular use Design & construct over flow & event trailer parking for 25 spaces Design & construct fenced pasture for 3,100 l.f. of fence Fenced pasture ground preparation Design logo and purchase merchandise, brochures, permit decals, wrist bands, and maps Table 4.1 Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Construction Schedule C33

34 RBC Equestrian park Description & Services PHASE III PHASE IV Project development fee phase III Design & construct mounting platforms for regular use (5) Design & construct ADA standard mounting platforms (4) Design & construct covered sheds over horse pens at RV sites (25) Design & construction of campground internal horse trails Design & construction of Equestrian Center & Tack Shop Design & construction of campground utilities Design & construction of bathrooms with two showers (4) Design & construction of bathroom with 6 showers (1) Design & construction of barn/covered stalls for 20 horses(2) Design & construct ingress and egress at Highway 172 Design & construct water pond 2.5 acres Design & construct equipment storage building and maintenance office Project development fee phase IV. Design & construct 5 rental cabins at 400 s.f. each with amenities Design & construct event area parking 9.5 acres Design & construct covered arena with amenities150 x 270 Table 4.1 Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Construction Schedule C34

35 Description & Services RBC Equestrian Park amenity signs (camping facility, general store, barn/covered stables, arena, amphitheatre, storage building, farrier, etc.); trail identifications signs placed at each trail within system (trail name, level of difficulty, special feature); trail directional signs; mile marker signs; stop signs; approaching intersection signs; speed limit signs; and spectator area signs. Additional signage along trail system could include reminders to Stay the Trail. Camping Facilities Camping facilities design and construction are proposed in Phase II of park development. Camping facilities will be located in a circular fashion, within the center of the property, but away from the trail system and trailhead to decrease the impacts from noise. There will be three types of camping facilities within the campgrounds: rv camping sites, tent camping sites, and primitive camping sites. Rv camping sites will provide enough space to park horse trailer/rv camper vehicles, electrical hookups, water, uncovered stalls for up to 4 horses, picnic table, picnic table concrete pad, fire ring, and grill. Tent camping sites will include parking space for vehicle/horse trailer, electrical hookups, water, uncovered stalls for up to 4 horses, picnic table, picnic table concrete pad, fire ring, and grill. Tent camping sites will vary in amenities depending on how close the site is to rv camping. The more remote the tent camping site, the less amenities it will possess. The primitive camping area will be a designated area within the campground where users can hike in and camp with no amenities. Fire rings may be constructed within the primitive camping area to contain any potential fire risk. Picket posts will be installed in the primitive camping area for horses. A modest parking facility will be provided near the primitive camping area for vehicles. Horse trailers associated with the primitive camping facility must park in the event parking area. Campground restrooms/bath houses will be constructed at each type of camping facility to accommodate the projected total users. Rv and tent campsites that have an uncovered stall amenity will be subjected to a 4 horse maximum capacity. All other horses associated with the camping party shall be boarded in the barn facility. Remote camping sites within the trail system will be permitted for special organized events only, such as endurance riding competitions. Fees and park rules will apply and be similar to those of the primitive camping facility. Additional agreements/easements must be adopted by the Park Board and any other applicable parties to allow for this type of off-site use. Additional agreements/waivers will be required of off-site campers participating in these types of events and intending to camp within the trail system. A Campground Fee Schedule and grounds rules will be determined and adopted by the Park Board at a later date. Fees will be comparable to other equestrian park camping facilities with similar amenities. Cabins Rental cabins are proposed for construction in Phase IV of park development. Depending on trailhead acreage, five to ten small rental cabins will be constructed for overnight visitors to the trail park and are proposed to be located near the campground area. Estimated cabin size is around 400 to 800 square feet. Cabins will include a 1-2 bedroom sleeping area, a kitchen, one bathroom, and a front porch. A Rental Cabin Fee Schedule and rental rules will be determined and adopted by the Park Board at a later date. Fees will be comparable to other equestrian park rental cabins with similar amenities. C35

36 RBC Equestrian park Description & Services Equestrian Entertainment Building/ Camp Store/ Tack Shop A camp general store/tack shop is proposed for construction in Phase III of development of the trail park. It will serve as a convenience store for day users and long-term, overnight visitors. The store will sell limited groceries and toiletries, ice, first aid items, general maintenance items, and Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park merchandise. In addition, there will be a tack shop section within the general store that provides basic equine merchandise for sale that might be needed by trail users. The camp store/tack shop will be located near the day use restrooms/office building and easily accessible to the day use standardized parking facility. The store will maintain typical business operation hours dependant on the season. Barn/Covered Stables The barn/covered stables facility is proposed for construction in Phase II and III of park development. The location of the barn facility will be near the campgrounds where campers can easily walk to check on and tend to their horses during their boarded time. In addition, the barn will be located near the trailhead for access to day users who choose to board their horses as well as park staff who oversee and tend to the barn facility and its horses. The barn will contain enough stalls to accommodate typical day use, weekend use, and special event use of the trail park. A Barn Horse Boarding Fee Schedule will be determined and adopted by the Park Board at a later date. Fees will be comparable to other equestrian park barn boarding fees with similar amenities. Arena/Event Area and Parking The construction of a public arena/event area and associated parking area is proposed in Phase IV of park development. The arena/event area will be located along Highway 172 road frontage near the park entrances and exits. This location is away from camping areas where the additional noise and lighting would encroach on the overnight camping use. The arena is currently projected to be small at 150 feet by 270 feet and is projected to include seating and parking to accommodate the facility. The intended use of the arena is for equine sports and competitions such as barrel racing, horse shows, dressage, tie-down/ roping competitions, eventing, and rodeo type events. In addition, the arena/event area will also be used to host large music concerts and special events. Equipment Storage Building The construction of the equipment storage building is proposed in Phase III of park development. The building should be large enough to contain all types of trail and trailhead maintenance equipment and vehicles such as mowers, dozers, tractors, loaders, grader attachments, etc. In addition, the building should have double doors and a ramp apron for driving into the storage space. The proposed location of the storage building is away from camping facilities, in a back portion of the property, not easily visible from the trailhead, but close enough to the trail system entrance to access it with necessary equipment. Manure Collection and Storage C36

37 Description & Services RBC Equestrian Park Construction of manure storage bins and a manure storage shed is proposed for Phase II of park development. A large manure storage shed will be constructed adjacent to the equipment storage building and used as the final dumping area. Collection will not be done by multiple manure bins placed throughout the park, but will be collected by park staff. Outdoor Lighting Outside illuminating devices that are electrically powered will be installed, where needed, throughout the trailhead and park., including the park entrance, permit station, parking facilities, sidewalks, camping area, camp store, and restrooms. Temporary Corrals/Paddocks Small, temporary corrals will be assembled/disassembled and used by the trail park as needed per trail park users and special events. Corral/paddock fencing can be stored in or near the barn and/or equipment storage building. Temporary corrals/paddocks can be assembled for warm-up/exercise rings during special events occurring in the arena or for additional horse storage near the barn when the park hosts special organized events. Additional Amenities Additional amenities possible at the park include picnic/pavilion areas, park benches within trailhead and along trail system, a playground area for children, and a mounting platform for the disabled. Hitching posts will be another park amenity located throughout the park system at the restrooms, camp store, trailhead, the arena, and in the trail system at designated resting areas. Property fencing is another park amenity currently proposed for the park that will help delineate the site and enhance the aesthetic quality of the park s appearance. A suggestion/comment box will be posted outside the office to allow park visitors the opportunity to describe their park experience and make suggestions for improvements. The Park Board will review visitors comments and make park revisions and additions with public feedback in mind. Additional Services The following equestrian services and supplies will also be provided within the trail park for nominal fees: horse feed, hay, stall shavings, and farrier services. Park Use and Special Events The park s primary use is for equestrian trail pleasure riding with overnight amenities to accommodate guests. Secondary uses of the park include hosting equine sports and competition events in an arena setting or within the trail system. Other complimentary park uses include musical concerts, organized equestrian vender events, charitable events, local Town events and fundraisers, etc. The park could also rent out facilities and services for special events such as for weddings and children birthday parties. The Park Board should establish and adopt a Rental Service Fee Schedule for park facilities and services as well as all associated rental agreement contracts necessary to conduct such business. In addition to pleasure trail riding, below is a list of equine recreational and sporting events anticipated to be hosted by the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park: C37

38 RBC Equestrian park Description & Services Competitive Trail Riding Endurance Trail Riding Barrel Racing Pole Bending Dressage Show Jumping/Eventing Team Roping Horse Shows Calf/Tie-Down Roping Goat Tying Bronc/Bull Riding Rodeo Venders Venders will be permitted within the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park to enhance the equine recreational experience and add to the atmosphere of special events and high volume weekends. The types of vendors allowed should demonstrate a relationship to the equine recreational sport such as equine retailers, equestrian equipment and merchandise retailers, and food vendors. Park vendors should represent local businesses as opposed to traveling from other regions and competing with local merchants for economic benefits. One of the goals of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park is to be an economic stimulant to local businesses in the area. To accomplish this goal, vendors from outside the immediate region will not be permitted to sell within the park if a local merchant sells the same goods within the Hodges Town limits. Local venders will always be given preference over out of town vendors. For example, local restaurants will be given priority as food vendors over food vendors from out of the region when accepting vendor applications for special events. The same principle will apply to other vendor goods for sale. The Park will also set specifications for the number of vendors allowed per type of goods to prevent over-saturation of the market. Vendor Provisions specifying park vendor rules will be developed and adopted by the Park Board at a later date. Park Safety and Maintenance It is the goal of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park to create a safe, well-maintained, family-oriented equine recreational attraction in the southeast. This will be partially accomplished through park and trail patrol and enforcement of Park Rules by the Park Ranger Patrol Officers to ensure park and trail safety. Camping facility rules, to be determined later, will create a safe long-term overnight environment for visitors. In addition, police protection and law enforcement, fire protection, and EMA and medical services will be provided by town and county departments C38

39 Description & Services RBC Equestrian Park and facilities. Park waste management will be managed by the Park Manager, park ranger patrol officers, and staff. The Town of Hodges will provide trash pick-up to the park. Park and trail maintenance will be specifically defined and outlined in the Park Management, Operations, and Personnel Plan. The Plan will provide provisions for daily, weekly, bi-weekly, seasonally, and annually grounds inspections and maintenance. Below is a generalized maintenance schedule for the park and trails. Daily-Briefly inspect park amenities such as permit station, camp store, office, restrooms, trailhead grounds, camping facilities, barn/covered stables, arena/event area, amphitheatre, and equipment storage building for cleanliness and stocking needs; patrol grounds for park rules enforcement; maintain a use log for all park owned vehicles and equipment; empty all manure storage bins in high volume areas and/or during special events and transport contents to manure shed. Weekly - Ensure trash pick-up; clean restrooms, permit station, and camp store, inspect camping facility, barn/covered stables, arena/event area, amphitheatre, and equipment storage building for proper working order of amenities; empty all manure bins and transport contents to manure shed; check all vehicles and equipment for operability and keep a maintenance log for any needed work; ride trail system to ensure proper condition for visitor use; inventory park logo merchandise, camp store/tack shop stock, and horse supplies stock and prepare and submit purchase orders. Bi-Weekly - General mowing and brushing of the trailhead; brushing of trails as needed; ride trail system to check for environmental integrity of erosion control features to ensure BMPs are functioning properly; make any needed repairs to trails that pose an environmental or safety threat (check drains, culverts, and ditches for debris, replace straw bales and silt fences as needed); check kiosk and other park signage; empty suggestion box; and wash all park vehicles. Seasonally - Make all needed repairs, environmental and general, to trail system identified in bi-weekly inspections; inspect all park facilities including the camp ground, camp store, permit station, barn, arena, amphitheatre, equipment storage building, restrooms, office, parking and trailhead amenities for any needed maintenance and make repairs; weatherize facilities in the winter; check roofs and gutters; inspect all park and trail drainage systems for repairs; make adequate seasonal orders for user permits and event wristbands, check and inventory all vehicles and equipment for operability and notify the Park Board in writing of any needs; schedule any vehicle maintenance and take for service; and train all new employees and volunteers. Annually - Inspect all buildings, facilities, and trails for good operational order and appearance and make any needed repairs; update all required permits/documentation for environmental compliance; review Park Board membership and make replacements as necessary; grade parking area and replace gravel where needed; and restore/paint any needed features such as picnic tables, signs, or fencing. Environmental Compliance, Mitigation, and Stewardship Trail drainage and erosion protection methods will be employed in trail construction and regular maintenance. Appendix 6 contains resource documents that specify technical construction meth- ods for controlling adverse environmental impacts in equestrian trail construction and use. These resources will be utilized during trail design and construction. Surface water runoff is one of the significant impacts of trail development and sustainability. To maintain trail integrity and manage erosion, all water must be diverted from the trail bed to minimize the collection or concentration of surface water. The following features will be installed and maintained, where necessary, through- C39

40 RBC Equestrian park Description & Services out the trail system to minimize drainage and erosion problems: drainage dips, culverts, armored trail beds (such as buried cinder blocks and GeoBlock), silt fences, straw bales, filter strips, berms, deflectors, and corduroy. The resource documents sited above detail the proper placement and installation of these features within trail systems. Routine environmental compliance actions will be conducted by the park in ensure no adverse impact to the environment by regular inspection and monitoring of trail system and associated BMPs. Any damaged or failed erosion control features having adverse impact on the environment will be repaired immediately. In order to maintain park and trail grounds, the park will have to purchase equestrian supplies and equipment and maintain at least one to two horses onsite for trail system patrol and maintenance. The horses and equipment will be managed by the Park Manager and an inventory of equipment use and maintenance will be recorded. Types of needed equipment include: front deck mower, weed-eater, backhoe, dozer, front end loader, grader attachment, chainsaws, air compressor, generators, and trailer for hauling. Education and Outreach Conserving the natural resources of the Tennessee Valley is top priority of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park. The park recognizes that without these natural resources, the park would not exist. Equine enthusiasts are attracted to the sport for the opportunity it provides them to bond with the animals, engage the wilderness, and experience nature. Compromising these natural areas only destroys the beauty of the park and trail and results in park closure. Therefore, no one is more dedicated to implementing and enforcing environmental stewardship and educating fellow trail riders than local equestrian trail riders who love their sport and their local trails. Therefore, the Park should support non-profit organizations dedicated to protecting responsible recreational access to public lands and waters and implement involvement with environmental stewardship programs, such as Tread Lightly, through membership. Members are eligible for stewardship grants for trail maintenance and other types of support. Tread Lightly advocates minimal impact on natural environments and is supported by many equestrian parks nationwide. Their pledge is: Travel and recreate with minimum impact. Respect the environment and the rights of others. Educate yourself-plan and prepare before you go. Allow for future use- leave it better than you found it. Discover the rewards of responsible recreation. In addition, the Alabama Quarter Horse Association also has a program promoting the positive image of trail use by horse enthusiasts called STEP (Stewards for Trails, Education, and Partnerships). This program encourages trail maintenance and restoration projects of existing systems and relies on its own members to volunteer these efforts. Their focus is on environmentally responsible trail development and use by the equine community. Coordination with this organization for participation in this program through construction and maintenance of the park will be encouraged. C40

41 D Equestrian Park Master Plan

42 RBC Equestrian park Master Plan Trail Development Plan The needs of horses and their riders are unique, and the design of an equestrian trail system should respond to the natural setting, the needs of the trail horses and riders, and their desire to recreate in a social and pleasurable environment. Equestrian trail riders include children, elderly, leisure riders, professional riders, organized groups, families, novices, and people with disabilities. Equestrian trail riders enjoy pleasure riding, competitive riding, and endurance riding in small and large groups for socializing, exercising, and personal challenge. They all share a love of horses and nature and enjoy interaction of the two on a trail system. Well-designed equestrian trails create an environment that facilitates these desires while providing rider and horse conveniences and safety through sound trail system design and construction. Horse and Rider Behavior In planning equestrian trail systems and parks, it is important to consider the behavior and instincts of horses in order to anticipate, and plan for, certain types of reactions to particular stimuli. For example, horses are natural prey animals embedded with flight instincts when they encounter or sense things that scare them. Therefore, equestrian trail systems should be designed to accommodate horses special needs including their flight instinct as well as other traits. Below are a few facts and behavior characteristics associated with horses that should be considered when planning horse trails: The average horse used for recreational riding weighs about lbs. The average pressure a horse exerts while standing is 40 psi and while running, is 80 psi. Horses' high psi displaces and erodes trail beds much faster than hikers, who exert only 8 psi. Therefore, trail layout and construction methods must follow recommended standards to ensure trail integrity over time with use. Horses feel more secure in groups, because there is safety in numbers. Trail riders typically ride in groups. Therefore, two-lane trails wide enough to accommodate two riders riding side-byside is necessary for passing and safety. Horses have a nearly 360-degree field of vision. Riders see from an 8 foot high perspective. Therefore, trail users' scenic experience is at 8 feet, not ground level, and trails should be designed accordingly. Horses have tender feet, even with shoes on. If they are on a rocky trail bed, or some type of uncomfortable substrate, they feel their ability to escape potential threats is restricted and therefore, begin to exhibit nervous behavior and can become jumpy. Trail beds should be constructed using horse friendly construction methods and substrates. Horses will be cautious toward things that move quickly such as flapping bags, tarps, and flags. They also show concern toward things that stand out from their environment such as contrasting colors. Therefore, all trail system and trailhead amenities and infrastructure should be designed to create calming environment for the horse. Noises make horses nervous and they can be startled by sudden, loud, out-of-the-ordinary noises such as construction work, banging gates, or the sound of their own feet walking over a different, noisy substrate. Loud noise sources should be minimal and corrected, if possible, in the D42

43 Master Plan RBC Equestrian Park trail system. Horses are naturally wary of dark recesses such as caves that resemble animal dens or hiding places. Road culverts where opening are visible from approaches, roofed trail structures that are not open on all sides, gaps in bridges where horses can see through, etc.--all of these can make horses nervous, jumpy, and likely to run. Horses are sensitive to things they might encounter on trails and associate certain things with other objects they are familiar with. The clicking of bike gears sounds like the popping of electric fences and can cause them to startle. Fishing poles look like horse whips and can scare them. Large dogs can be mistaken for coyotes and cause them to run. Any large, unfamiliar object, like a hiker carrying a kayak, can frighten and startle a horse. Therefore, single-use equestrian trails, with the allowed secondary use of hiking, are preferred by the equine community. Trail Development Standards and Considerations In designing equestrian trail systems, it is important to assess what kind of trails are needed, how the trails will be used, how often they will be used, and by how many riders at any given time. These factors determine trail user capacity and establish a standard for quality trail enjoyment and define parameters for trail user management. The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park is currently projected to contain an equestrian trail length of 40 miles spread out over Town property, Bear Creek Reservoir property, and abandoned Illinois Central Gulf Railroad corridor property. The trail setting is within rural landscapes and natural wild lands. The trail layout will employ the trail loop concept design with curvilinear, connecting branches and regular interval turn-around loops. In addition, the following trail standards will be used. Primary Critical Access Trails Primary critical access trails will serve as the backbone to the trail system and provide the main access and linkage to all other secondary trails. Primary critical access trails will link riders back to the trailhead. Depending on the trail system layout, there will be at least one primary critical access trail with multiple secondary branches extending off of it. Primary critical access trails are designed to accommodate all kinds of riders and require the minimum skill level for use. They are also designed to accommodate the maximum number of users and an increased frequency of use. Secondary Special Attraction and Use Trails Secondary special attraction and special use trails will also radiate off of the primary, circular loop trail system. Special attraction trails include paths to scenic overlooks, points of interest, historic sites, water access, or rest areas. Special use trails include turn-around loops spaced every 5-10 miles to provide riders with the option to exit the trail system and return to the trailhead. Where possible, turn-around loops will exhibit an easy level of difficulty to accommodate all types of trail users. Other special use trails include special event trails that are suitable for endurance or competitive trail riding when hosting these types of events, but also suitable for everyday use when these events are not occurring. All special attraction and special use trails will connect back into a primary critical loop trail. They may be designated one-way during special events. They will all possess the D43

44 RBC Equestrian park Master Plan appropriate signage at the trail entrance alerting users to the level of difficulty of the trail, the special use, and/or any special attraction located on the trail. Level of Difficulty In order to enhance the equestrian recreational experience, the park will provide trails with different degrees of difficulty to appeal to all kinds of riders. Trails will be rated: Easy, Moderate, and Difficult. The easy trails are intended to be suitable for novice riders and those who don t have the skill or desire to ride more difficult trails. Moderate and difficult trails will be designed for the more experienced rider and create a perception of a challenge. Trails rated as an easy level of difficulty will compose the primary critical access structure of the trails system and provide the main access to the moderate and difficult trails. As described in the previous section, the trail system will consist of primary access, circular, loop trails that are two-lane in width, and connect to the trailhead. The primary critical access trails will be accessible by all types of trail users, including the handicapped and children, and will be designed with an easy level of difficulty. Radiating out of the circular, primary access loops, will be secondary loops designed for specific levels of difficulty ranging from easy, to moderate, to difficult. All of these secondary loop trails will connect back into the primary loop trail system and will contain appropriate signage at the trail entrance alerting users to the level of difficulty of the trail. Increased level of difficulty equestrian trails typically have an increased trail grade, narrow one-lane trails, and less improved trail beds that consist more of the natural substrate. More isolated trails also create an increased perception of difficulty. Trail Carrying Capacity The carrying capacity of a trail system defines how many people can be within the trail system using its amenities with ease and enjoyment without overcrowding the system or causing adverse impact to the natural resources of the trail. Overcrowding and overuse, not balanced with adequate maintenance of the trail system, causes deterioration of the natural attributes and trail bed and impedes each user s ability to move freely and to fully enjoy the natural setting without undue distraction. The carrying capacity of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park was established using methods outlined in the cited attached resources in Appendix 6, assessment of carrying capacities of existing equestrian parks, and feedback from survey respondents discussed in Section 7 of this Plan. The carrying capacity for the park is determined to be one equestrian rider group per mile with a maximum of two equestrian rider groups per mile. Rider groups are estimated to contain 5 riders/horses per group. Therefore, the trail user capacity is assessed at a minimum of five horses per mile and a maximum of 10 horses per mile. When establishing equestrian trail park amenities located at the trailhead, the minimum capacity (five horses per mile) is used to determine facility needs such as the number of stables and campsites. When establishing trail construction methods and trail maintenance schedules, the maximum capacity (ten horses per mile) is used to ensure environmental compliance and continued integrity of the trail system after extended use. Park staff and management will be responsible for monitoring the number of trail users within the system based on trail use permits distributed to park users and must implement carrying capacity limits to ensure environmental standards and trail quality. D44

45 Master Plan RBC Equestrian Park Trail Density Assumptions and Management Trail density of a trail system defines how many trails will be permitted in a given area-the more dense a trail system, the more trails the system has within a square mile. Maximum densities are established to prevent the degradation and adverse impact of the natural resources of the area and to preserve the natural, scenic quality of trail riding. The natural quality of the trail system is compromised if riders can see and hear other trail riders on adjacent trails. In addition, over-use of the natural environment will result in habitat loss and poor water quality of any surface waters within the park area as a result of increased siltation. Therefore, density standards must be established and implemented to preserve the environment and trail quality. The Forest Service recommends the maximum trail density standard of 2 miles of trails per one square mile. The distance standard of 500 minimum between trails is recommended. The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail system will be divided into two density types: a high density area and low density areas. The high density area will be located near the trailhead and within the first five miles of the trail system. The first five miles of the trail system will be the most used portion of the trail as opposed to more remote portions of the trail located towards the end of the loop system. The first five miles of the system, including the portions of the primary trail and all secondary trails within the high density area, can anticipate experiencing the maximum carrying capacity of ten horses per mile more often than low density areas that extend beyond the initial five miles. Therefore, the trail bed construction materials and methods should accommodate this high level of use since the high density area will be used most often by more riders. Low density portions of the trail system will exhibit the minimum carrying capacity more frequently and therefore, trail materials and construction methods can be less developed. Trail Hierarchies and Classifications Trail hierarchies and classifications reflect the trail functions, level of use, scale of development, and their location in the trail system. The Forest Service recommends using trail hierarchies and classifications when designing trail systems. Putting trails into basic categories defines the required management of each trail, user preferences, environmental settings, construction methods and materials, and maintenance schedule. The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail system will categorize the trails within its system into three classes with Class I being the most basic and Class III being the most developed. User density and capacity, trail bed characteristics, constructed features, and trail amenities will differ within each class. See Table 5.1 below for trail classification standards. Trail Design and Layout Trail layout is the path the trail system takes across the landscape. Trail layout is the most important element of equestrian trail parks and determines the park s success--if riders do not enjoy their trail riding experience, they will not come back. Riders want scenic trail systems that are comfortable and provide rider and horse conveniences and points of interest, while also providing the option of increased challenge. This must be accomplished utilizing and preserving the natural features of the land while following established trail design and construction standards. Trail layout and design specifications utilized at the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will follow D45

46 RBC Equestrian park Master Plan TABLE Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail System Classes Trail Class I Trail Class II Trail Class III Trail Type Trail System Location User Density and Capacity Trail Bed Characteristics Some secondary turnaround loops; some secondary special attraction trails; some increased level of difficulty trails, some special use trails. Throughout trail system but concentrated furthest away from trailhead. Remote trails located at the back of the trail system. Low user density and low user capacity. Least developed trail bed. Utilizes native materials only. Tread is obvious and continuous. One-lane width. Most secondary turnaround loops; most secondary special attraction trails; most increased level of difficulty trails; most special use trails. Throughout trail system, but particularly in the middle. Moderate user density and moderate user capacity. Moderate development of trail bed. Tread obvious and continuous. Width is two-lane or singlelane. Native or imported materials. All primary critical access trails; some secondary turn-around loops; some secondary special attraction trails; some increased level of difficulty trails, some special use trails. Throughout trail system. Connects to trailhead and creates main artery of trail system; provides the main access and linkage to secondary trails. High user density and high user capacity. The most developed type of trail bed. Tread wide and relatively smooth with few irregularities. Two-lane width. Native or imported materials. May be hardened. Constructed Features and Amenities Structures minimal to non-existent. Primitive foot crossings and fords. Structures are of limited size, scale, and number. Trail bridges as needed for resource protection and appropriate access. Some trailside amenities are present. Structures frequent and substantial. Substantial trail bridges are appropriate at water crossings. Trailside amenities may are present. Table 5.1 Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail System Classes D46

47 R BC Equestr i a n Pa r k Master Plan CA 75 NY 0 O N RD 85 0 MCC LUSKEY RD 80 SU NSET RD 80 0 IN MA HWY 187 HW NICHOLS RD ST ROBERT E LEE DR Y ST 80 N T ST 187 DEPO HWY M AI LOVETT LN 80 0 SHADY BEND DR ,000 2,000 Feet Map 5.1 Topography Map of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Location T o w n o f Ho d g es, A l a b a ma D47

48 RBC Equestrian park Master Plan the recommended methods and standards indentified in the resources contained in Appendix 6 of this Plan. Natural Land Features A successful trail system layout follows the topography of the land and preserves the natural features of the landscape. The design of the trail layout is influenced by many natural factors such as slope, alignment, soil types, and water features. The trail design should protect the natural setting, use the appropriate level of development, meet the needs of trail users, and minimize trail user conflicts. Maps 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 illustrate the topography, the soil type, and streams and surface waters of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park location. Trail Layout Concepts The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail will be a closed, loop trail system with permitted access available only at the trailhead. The trail system will provide connectivity to the adjacent Town of Vina, however riders accessing the trails in Vina must possess a trail riding permit or be subject to fines. The trail layout will utilizes trail loops to create connectivity of the riders to their desired different types of trail experiences within the system. The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will follow the established U.S. Forest Service stacked loop trail concept. Figure 5.1 illustrates the stacked loop trail design concept. The layout of the trail system will be dependent on the natural features of the land but incorporate the loop concept designs illustrated below. Figure 5.1 U.S. Forest Service Stacked Loop Trail Design Concepts A preliminary Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian trail system sketch has been developed following the natural features of the land and employing the stacked loop concept discussed above. Figure 5.2A and 5.2B illustrate the currently proposed trail system layout. The trailhead will have three points of trail system access: one from the northeast portion of the trailhead property extending to the Bear Creek Development Area (BCDA) and providing trail connectivity to Hodges Lake; one from the northwest portion of the trailhead property extending to the BCDA and providing trail connectivity to Rock Bridge Canyon Visitor Center, Jacob s Ladder, and other BCDA nature attractions; and one from the southwest portion of the trailhead property connecting the trailhead to the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad corridor property connecting the Town of Hodges to the Town of Vina. The trail system will cross private property and require many easement agreements prior to construction to connect the trailhead to the BCDA property. D48

49 Master Plan RBC Equestrian Park Map 5.2 Soil Map of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Location D49

50 ROBERT E LEE DR RBC Equestrian park Master Plan AVERY RD HWY 187 HULSEY RD SCOTT LANDING RD BUSTER BAKER RD STIDHAM RD ÆQ MAIN ST CANYON RD BRITTNI LN BROOKE DR WILSON WEST RD NATASHA LN WHEELER RD CHAMBLEE RD OVERTON FARM RD SUNSET RD WALKER RD HORSESHOE BEND RD HWY 37 CORPORAL RDG BALDWIN RD SANDERS RD HWY 172 POND LN SWINDLE RD Hodges Equestrian Trail HWY 27 Legend ÆQ Trailhead Trail Roads Water Bodies 8 0 1,250 2,500 5,000 Feet Franklin County GIS Consortium 4/23/12 Figure 5.2A Currently Proposed Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail System Layout D50

51 Master Plan RBC Equestrian Park HWY 187 HULSEY RD SCOTT LANDING RD BUSTER BAKER RD MCCLUSKEY RD STIDHAM RD BRITTNI LN BROOKE DR CANYON RD GRAVEL GAP RD WILSON WEST RD ROBERT E LEE DR CHAMBLEE RD WHEELER RD SUNSET RD OVERTON FARM RD WALKER RD HWY 172 POND LN SWINDLE RD Hodges Equestrian Trail HWY ,000 4,000 1,000 Feet Prepared By: Franklin County GIS Consortium BAGGETT CEMETERY RD CORPORAL RDG BALDWIN RD HWY 27 Figure 5.2B Currently Proposed Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail System Layout D51

52 RBC Equestrian park Master Plan CANYON RD SUNSET RD MAIN ST MCCLUSKEY RD ROBERT E LEE DR NICHOLS RD HWY 172 HWY 187 HWY 187 MAIN ST DEPOT ST LOVETT LN SHADY BEND DR ,000 2,000 Feet Map 5.3 Aerial Photography of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Location D52

53 Master Plan RBC Equestrian Park As previously discussed, the trail system will be composed of primary critical access trails, primary and secondary turn-around loops, primary and secondary special attraction trails, primary and secondary special use trails, and primary and secondary increased level of difficulty trails. The primary critical access trails will be Class III trails and serve as the main arteries of connectivity within the system and be designed to carry the most people and used the most often. The secondary trails will be either Class I, Class II, or Class III trails depending on their defined purpose of use and location within the system. Trail use, capacity, density, and development will be the highest closer to the trailhead and then decrease as trails extend further away from the trailhead to the more remote locations to the back of the trail system. Curvilinear trail design concepts will be utilized on all trail types to break long trail sections into curved, s-shaped portions as opposed to straight trails. This enhances the users experience and enables users to take advantage of landscape features such as scenic vistas and overlooks. Physical Design Characteristics Trail Dimensions The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail system is estimated to be around 40 miles in length. A horse walks at miles per hour, trots at 8-12 miles per hour, and gallops at miles per hour, depending on the horse. Therefore, the trail system will provide enough trails for rider enjoyment and exploration for several days depending on how fast they ride. Most of the trails within the system will be two-lane wide trails with the exception of a few Class I trails designed with a high level of difficulty for advanced users who desire a more challenging experience. Narrow, one-lane trails create the perception of increased difficulty, especially when accompanied with slopes greater than 5%. Two-lane trail dimensions include at 10 foot tread width with 3.5 feet of clearance on each side of the trail. Single-lane trails dimensions include a five foot tread length with 3.5 feet of clearance on each side of the trail. Typical vertical clearance for equestrian trails is at least 10 feet, but 12 feet clearance is recommended. Figure 5.3 illustrates the proposed trail dimensions of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail system and was obtained from the U.S. Forest Service s Equestrian Design Guidebook referenced in Appendix 6. Trail Alignment Trail alignment is the direction a trail travels across a hill or mountain and determines how trail users climb and descend slopes. Trail alignment angle is measured between the proposed trail bed and the hill. Poor trail alignment follows the fall line and results in high degradation, high erosion, and decreased trail longevity. The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail system will utilize good trail alignment standards and align trails with the contour of the land. Trail alignment also affects sight distance and the speed at which trail users travel. The best trail alignment includes simple curves rather than straight sections with sharp turns. Table 5.2 below identifies trail alignment standards for the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail system. Trail Slope D53

54 RBC Equestrian park Master Plan Figure 5.4 Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Dimensions D54

55 Master Plan RBC Equestrian Park Trail slope or grade is the rate the trail rises and falls and determines how challenging it is. Trail slope determines the rate of water erosion and therefore, effects construction methods and materials. A trail slope of 5% or less is desired for most trails within the trail system and is easy to transverse by all types of users. Trail slopes between 5-10% are more challenging and create a moderate level of difficulty. Trail slopes between 10-20% slope are challenging and create a difficult trail that should only be accessed by experienced riders. It is easier for horses to travel uphill verses downhill due to the positioning of weight, therefore the more increased slopes (15-20%) should only by located in uphill sections of the trail system. Slopes greater than 20% should not be designed within the trail system due to decreased safety and increased erosion issues. Trail segments between slope breaks, or running grades, will be designed as short as possible and follow land contours, as opposed to cutting across or going straight up and down contours. Switchbacks, or climbing turns, will be utilized in the trail system to transverse high slopes. When designing increased slope trail sections, curves and turning platforms will be wide enough to accommodate horses and be at least 6 feet wide but preferably 10 feet wide. Trail sections with a slope greater than 5% need at least 6-12 inches of extra trail width as a safety margin in case the animal loses footing and needs extra room to regain its step. Passing sections and resting areas will also be planned for to accommodate the different health and stamina of the horses on the trail. Trail Soil and Surface The soil forms the trail surface and determines the flow and infiltration of water throughout the landscape. It determines how trail beds will erode and how fast. Some soils particles erode less frequently than others while some are carried away more easily by water. Within the Rock Bridge Canyon Trail system, trail bed development will vary depending on the use and capacity. Some portions of the trail system will use native soils and natural trail beds while other portions will be highly modified and require importing in more suitable soil types and increased development needs. Chapter 6, Choosing Horse Friendly Surface Materials, of the U.S. Forest Service s Equestrian Design Guidebook for Trails, Trailheads, and Campgrounds identifies what soils and what construction methods are the most suitable for equestrian trails in a multitude of trail environments. This resources will be consulted and followed, as well as other credible resources, during trail bed design to ensure the use of proper materials and methods. Trail Erosion and Degradation Control Trail degradation is caused by soil erosion and unstable trail surfaces. Water on trails causes erosion and weak soil surfaces. Water management on trails requires proper trail placement, positioning, and surface shaping. Water diversion construction methods and water diversion structures are necessary to maintain trail integrity. In addition to using the correct soil type, specific bed construction methods and shaping will be employed in the Rock Bridge Canyon Trail system to direct water away from trails. Out sloped trail beds have an outer edge that is slightly lower than their inner edge causing water to run off the trail. Grade reversals, or rolling contour trails, the trail bed rises and drops creating lower areas for water drainage. Both out sloped trails and rolling contour trail designs will be utilized in trail design. D55

56 RBC Equestrian park Master Plan TABLE Trail Alignment Design Standards for the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park degrees High water diversion degrees Moderate water diversion degrees Low water diversion 0-22 degrees Very low water diversion Low erosion Moderate erosion High erosion Very high erosion Majority of trails in system Few trails in system Avoid Avoid Table Trail Alignment Design Standards for the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park D56

57 Master Plan RBC Equestrian Park Hardening the trail surface to strengthen the trail bed is another erosion control method that will be utilized in trail construction. Trail beds can be hardened with compacted gravel, geosynthetics, geotextiles, or geocells. These materials will be used in areas with highly erosive conditions and soils such as silts and sands. Geosynthetics, geotextiles and geocells are stronger than compacted gravel, have a longer life cycle, and do not rut out. However, they are expensive and costly to install. Culverts will be used where flowing water crosses the trail. Culverts will be covered with at least 6 inches of suitable tread material to prevent hoof noise and bright reflections from startling horses. When installing culverts, the ends will be tapered and painted and/or screened for safety and aesthetics. Horses are afraid of dark recesses where animals could hide, therefore no culverts in the system should have visible openings from approaches. The resources identified in Appendix 6 will be followed when designing and constructing trail erosion and degradation controls, particularly the U.S. Forest Service s Equestrian Design Guidebook for Trails, Trailheads, and Campgrounds. Road Crossing There will be several road crossing throughout the trail system. Most of these will be local roads with the exception of State Highways 187 and 172. Coordination with regulatory agencies may be required to develop and install safe, equestrian road crossing areas. Examples of road crossing fixtures include horse holding areas which are fenced halting areas for horses to stand while waiting for breaks in traffic, rail cavalettis and bollards which prevent motorized trail access, painted road markings and horse crossing signage to alert cars to potential crossings. The U.S. Forest Service s Equestrian Design Guidebook for Trails, Trailheads, and Campgrounds in Appendix 6 provides guidance for safe construction and design standards for road crossings and will be followed in the development of the trail system. Water Crossings Crossing flowing water in a trail system usually happens at lower grades or changes in the topographic landscape. Water crossing construction requires application with state and federal agencies for environmental compliance and approval prior to starting any construction and can take several months. Therefore, identifying and designing any water crossing early in the planning phase is necessary to timely submit applications and receive approval without slowing down the construction phase. Within the Rock Bridge Canyon Trail system, ford crossing will be designed for shallow stream crossing no deeper than two feet. Bridges will be designed for water crossings deeper than two feet. Gravel, rip rap, culverts, geosynthetics, geotextiles, and geocells may all be used in the construction of water crossings to stabilize the structure and the approaches. Approaches will be flared and properly railed and screened for safety and to prevent the horse from becoming nervous. Bridge width, grade, and constructed materials will be designed specifically for equestrian use. Bridges will be constructed to prevent loud, startling noises when horses cross them. The resources identified in Appendix 6 will be followed when designing and constructing water crossings, particularly the U.S. Forest Service s Equestrian Design Guidebook for Trails, Trailheads, and Campgrounds. D57

58 RBC Equestrian park Master Plan Horse and Rider Amenities Bollards or step-overs will be installed in the trail system at the trail entrance and exit to prevent access by motorized vehicles. Step-overs or pollards will be installed within the trail system at locations adjacent to outside access and any road crossing to prevent access to the trail system. It is recommended that all pollards and step-overs be of natural materials and color to prevent the horse from being too cautious to enter. Hitching post, hitching rails, and hitching rings will be installed within the trail system at rest areas, special attraction areas, and scenic overlook areas. Horses will not be permitted to be hitched to trees and must use these facilities throughout the system, therefore having enough to accommodate the trail capacity must be accomplished. Class III trails will require more of these amenities. It is recommended that hitching post and hitching rails be of natural materials and color to prevent the horse from being uncomfortable. Hitching rings attached to posts or rocks will not be backed with metal plates because this makes excessive, loud noises when horses are attached and move. Rest areas will be located in the trail system on primary critical access trails at regular intervals along the trail to accommodate all types of horses and riders. Rest areas will also be designed at special attraction areas since most riders will dismount in these areas. Rest areas will also be installed along challenging trail branches, such as at increased slope areas, to give horses and riders a recovery time from a considerable obstacle. Rest areas will also be located on special use trails, such as for veterinarian check points for horses during competitive or endurance riding events. Rest areas will have hitching posts, rails, and/or rings. Rest areas may have constructed shelters, park benches, and water access for horses. Mounting blocks will be located at the trail entrance and trail exit at the trailhead to serve children, elderly, handicapped, disabled, or anyone who chooses to use them. They will also be located throughout the trail system at significant rest areas and special attractions to accommodate users. They will be located more frequently on primary critical access trails and Class III trails. They will be constructed of natural materials with natural colors and make minimal noise when used. Manure bins will be located at regularly spaced intervals along primary critical access trails for rider use. Riders are responsible for their horse s manure along the trail system and are expected to pack it up and pack it in to designated manure bins along the trail system. Scooping up and spreading the manure along the trail vegetation is not permitted because it changes the local vegetative habitat by spreading non-native plant seeds. Overtime, this changes the ecology of the forest effecting the native plants and animals. Water Access in Trail System A typical horse needs 15 gallons of water a day and more if it is active. 15 gallons of water weighs about 125 pounds which is too heavy for riders and horses to haul around all day. Therefore, water access within the trail system is necessary via water hydrants/spickets and/or water troughs. Some riders prefer not to use shared watering sources due to the potential spread of disease and will not use a trough or shared buckets. Some don t see the D58

59 Master Plan RBC Equestrian Park Signs threat likely and prefer a trough. Water access for horses will be located at the trail system entrance/exit and within the trail system where economically feasible. Ideally, water access would be provided around the primary critical access trails at regularly spaced intervals as opposed to on secondary trails designed for specific riders. However, water access may be more readily accomplished on secondary trails due to their location is the system. Water access will be provided at or around 10 mile intervals within the trail system so riders can water their horses and fill up their water canisters. Considerable thought and planning will go into determining the safest and most economical way to accomplishing this need within the trail system for the riders and horses. Trail layout will be influenced to some degree by this need as well. Signs will be placed throughout the trail system to notify, warn, guide, educate, and assist riders to their specific needs along the trail system. A large kiosk will be located at the trailhead displaying the trail system map, identifying all trails, attractions, and amenities in the system. Trail system rules will also be listed on the kiosk, including a reminder to carry trail permit and all local emergency contact numbers. With the exception of the main trail kiosk at the trailhead, signs within the trail system will be located 3 feet off the trail bed and 5 feet high. All primary and secondary trails will be named and labeled by identification signage. The signage will list the trail s length, level of difficulty, slope, and any special attractions or amenities the trail possess. All primary and secondary trails will contain trail progression signage, such as half-way markers, letting riders know how many miles are left to the trail s end. All trails will identify with special feature signage all rest areas, scenic overlooks, special attractions and amenities at the location of the feature. Warning signs will be placed along the trail system to alert riders to special conditions such as increased slopes, poisonous plants, cliffs and drop offs, potential loud noises, etc. Trail courtesy signs will be regularly placed in the system to remind users when trails are one-way only, hikers yield to horses, riders must clean-up manure, ask permission before passing, etc.. Vegetation Horses are grazing animals, therefore it is important to identify and remove any toxic plants and noxious weeds from the trail system to prevent ingestion. If large patches of toxic plants and noxious weeds exist and cannot be removed, address the issue with a handout when permitting riders at park entrance and post warning signs in the trail system at the location of the plants. Below is a list of the 10 most poisonous plants to horses taken from the U.S. Forest Service s Equestrian Design Guidebook for Trails, Trailheads, and Campgrounds. Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) Hemlock (Conium maculatum) Tansy ragwort (Senecio spp.) Johnsongrass and Sudan grass (Sorghum spp.) Locoweed (Astragalus spp. or Oxytropis spp.) D59

60 RBC Equestrian park Master Plan Oleander (Nerium oleander) Red maple (Acer rubrum) Water hemlock (Cicuta spp.) Yellow star thistle and Russian knapweed (Centaurea spp.) Yew (Taxus spp.) Steps to Designing and Constructing the Trail System 1. Obtain landscape and soil data for trail area to identify soil texture, any restrictive soil characteristics, and topography of the land ( slope and alignment). 2. Using the topography map and the loop design concepts discussed above, layout the trail system, one trail at a time, following the contour lines of the land when possible. Keep trail alignment above 68 degrees and slope less than 10% in the majority of the trail system. Avoid low areas that have little potential for water diversion. Consider water access locations around 10 mile intervals. 3. Revisit site and layout final trail system amending the first draft as needed to accommodate natural features. 4. Divide trail system into segments. Create a new segment whenever the trail alignment category changes, whenever soil characteristics change, and whenever slope limits have been reached. Each water diversion structure will split the trail into two segments: upstream and downstream segments. 5. Identify any water crossings and submit proper applications to applicable regulatory agencies. Choose surface stabilization methods and materials for each segment. Locate water diversion structures wherever needed. 6. Construct trail. Begin by cutting the trail corridor through the entire system by removing trees, leaf litter and rocks. Then begin trail construction of each individual trail segment, specific to each trail need, starting from the back of the system and working toward the trailhead. (If you start at the trailhead and work to the back, construction equipment could damage completed trails that are Class III and are the most expensive.) Work in trail system segments in constructing the trail, from back to front, until complete while installing: the proper materials and soils, water diversion structures, water crossing structures, rider and horse amenities including water hydrants, and rest area and overlook infrastructure. 7. Monitor trail system performance and integrity after use and weather over regular intervals of time. Make any needed corrections. D60

61 Master Plan RBC Equestrian Park Page Intentionally Left Blank D61

62 RBC Equestrian park Master Plan Design Co Figure 5.5- Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park Campground & Trail Head Master Plan D62

63 Master Plan RBC Equestrian Park Master Plan Features Description Quantity 1. Entertainment Bldg./ Tack Shop (1) 2. Bathroon w/ 2 showers- 600 sf. ea (7) 3. Bathroom w/ 6 showers- 800 sf ea. (1) 4. Covered Stalls for 20 horses sf ea. (4) 5. Public Areana- 150 x 270 (1) 6. Over Flow/ Event Trailer Parking (25) spaces 7. Fenced Pasture 4.5 acres 8. Equipment Storage sf ea. (1) 9. Large Manure Storage Bin- 20 x 40 (1) 10. Day Use Trail Head (1) 11. Event Area 9.5 acres 12. Interior Circulation Drives 3,100 lf 13. ADA/ Standard Mounting Paltforms (7) 14. Gravel Drives 20,000 lf 15. Watering Pond 2.5 acres 16. Campground Horse Trails 12,000 lf 17. Rental Cabins- 800 sf ea. (5) 18. Mounting Platform (10) Legend Camp Sites Quantity Recreational Vehicles (25) Traditional Tents (16) Primitve Camping (11) P T B I Pull Through Parking Space Back-In Parking Space Figure LC 5.6- Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park Campground & Trail Head Master Plan Key Co D63

64 RBC Equestrian park Master Plan Trail Head & Campground Master Plan The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Master Plan demonstrates the placement of 52 campsites accompanied by four bathrooms without showers as well as 4 bathrooms with showers. In addition, the master plan depicts the placement of four separate covered stall structures. Each structure is sized to contain 20 horses per building. Furthermore, the master plan shows the relationship of the public arena and event trailer parking. The placement of the event area has taken into account the topography and soils of the proposed site as well as relating other components of the equestrian park. Figure 5.7 Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park Campground Back In Camp Site D64

65 Master Plan RBC Equestrian Park Figure 5.8- Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park Campground Pull Through Camp Site D65

66

67 Capital Costs & Phasing E

68 RBC Equestrian park Capital Costs & Phasing The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Business Plan is intended to be implemented incrementally over the next 5 years based on available funding for improvements and operational expenses. While the capital cost and phasing plan provides a general direction for implementation, flexibility is needed to accommodate future unknown conditions, such as available funding. Grant funding for specific projects may allow for certain facilities to be built sooner than expected. Conversely, budget shortfalls may necessitate delays in implementation. Taking this into consideration, park improvements have been divided into four phases. Capital cost estimates for each phase, and action of each phase, have been projected and are illustrated in Tables 6.1 below. PHASE ACTION Cost Estimate Phase I Establishment of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park $1, Board Employ Primary Employees (Park Rangers 3) Full Benefits $180, Project Development Fee Phase I. 5 hrs x 52 weeks x $85.00 $22, Complete Property Boundary Survey 160 Acres $16, Complete Topographic Survey of Highway 172 Entrance $5, Complete Construction Surveying for Day Use Area with staking for $11, Franklin County Highway Department and site construction survey Design & Construct Day Use Restrooms/Pavilion $93, Design & Construct Day Use Parking Facilities & Sidewalks $210, Design & Construct Day Use Primary Drive $115, Design & Construct Day Use Secondary Drive $25, Design & Construct Day Use Fence 1,500 l.f. (cost reduced based on $7, design and material changes from $11.35 l.f. to $4.83 l.f. at the request of Hodges) Design & Construct Day Use Entry Sign 12, Day Use Check In Station, Planting Plan $45, Day Use Site Utilities for an estimated 1,000 linear feet $27, Design and Construction of 19 miles of the 38 Miles Off-Site $38, Trail System (revised from $4, per mile to $2, per mile at the request of Hodges based on donated equipment and reduced equipment operator costs) Environmental Compliance/Mitigation of Trails analysis studies $30, PHASE I Opinion of Probable Cost $837, Table 6.1- Capital Cost and Phasing of Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park E68

69 Capital Costs & Phasing RBC Equestrian Park PHASE ACTION Cost Estimate Phase II Establishment/adoption of Park Management, Operations, and $5, Personnel Plan Develop Administration/Regulatory Documents $12, Interview, Employ and Train, Park Ranger Patrol Officers and $17, Sales Staff Employ Secondary Employees 2 (Activities Director & Staff Sales Clerk) $67, Project Development Fee Phase II. 5 hrs x 52 weeks x $85.00 $22, Continued Design and Construction of the final 19 miles of $57, the 38 Miles Off-Site Trail System (revised from $4, per mile to $3, per mile at the request of Hodges based on equipment purchase) Continued Environmental Compliance/Mitigation of Trails $30, analysis studies Design & Construct Manure Collection Bin and Storage Shed $38, x 40 (revised from $60.00 a s.f to $48.00 s.f. at the request of Hodges) Design, construct and install trail signage as external trail system $8, is completed (sign cost using owned router and material) Design and construct campground and individual camping site $249, for 52 camp sites. Design and construct internal circulation drive 3,100 l.f. (price reduced $85, at request of Hodges from $55.00 l.f. to a l.f.) Design & construct gravel drives 20,000 l.f. (price reduced at request of Hodges from $55.00 l.f. to a l.f.) $550, Design and construct bathrooms with two showers 600 sq. ft. $126, each (3) (revised from $ a s.f to a prefabricated bathroom of $42, per bathroom of s.f. at the request of Hodges) Design and Construct Barn/Covered Stalls for 20 horses at $230, ,800 sq. ft. each (2) (revised from $48.00 a s.f to $24.00 s.f. at the request of Hodges) ADA Standard Mounting Platforms (3) $13, Mounting Platforms for regular use (5) (reduced at request of Hodges $1, from $1, to $1,100.00) Design & Construct Over Flow & Event Trailer Parking 25 $24, Spaces, gravel surface for 10,000 s.f on an area of 223,000 s.f. Fenced Pasture for 3,100 linear feet of fence (cost reduced based on $15, design and material changes to $4.83 l.f. at the request of Hodges) Fenced Pasture ground preparation for 196,000 s.f. $39, Design Logo and Purchase Merchandise, Brochures, Permit $15, Decals, Wristbands, and Maps PHASE II Opinion of Probable Cost $1,606, Table 6.1- Capital Cost and Phasing of Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park E69

70 RBC Equestrian park Capital Costs & Phasing PHASE ACTION Cost Estimate Phase III Project Development Fee Phase III. 5 hrs x 52 weeks x $85.00 $22, Mounting Platforms for regular use (5) (reduced at request of Hodges $1, from $1, to $1,100.00) ADA Standard Mounting Platforms (4) $18, Design & construct covered sheds over horse pen at each RV $50, camping site 30 x 15 (25 sites) (revised from $25.00 to $4.44 s.f. at the request of Hodges) Design & Construction of Campground Internal Horse Trails $144, ,000 l. f. at 8 wide (revised from $26.00 a l. f. to $12.00 l. f. at the request of Hodges) Design and Construct Equestrian Center & Tack Shop (8000 $500, s.f.) (revised from $ a s.f to $62.50 s.f at the request of Hodges) Design & Construction of Utilities into 160 acre campground for $440, ,000 l.f. of underground utilities to follow gravel roads Design and Construct Bathrooms with two showers 600 sq. ft. $168, each (4) (revised from $ a s.f to a prefabricated bathroom of $42, per bathroom of s.f. at the request of Hodges) Design and Construct Bathrooms with 6 Showers (1) (revised $42, from $ a s.f to a prefabricated bathroom of $42, per bathroom of s.f. at the request of Hodges) Design and Construct Barn/Covered Stalls for 20 horses at $230, ,800 sq. ft. each (2) (revised from $48.00 a s.f to $24.00 s.f. at the request of Hodges) Design & construct ingress and egress at Highway 172 $180, Design & Construct Watering Pond 2.5 acres $45, Design & Construct Equipment Building Storage & Maintenance Office Building 1,600 s.f. (revised from $96.00 a s.f to $35.00 $56, s.f at the request of Hodges) PHASE III Opinion of Probable Cost $1,896, PHASE ACTION Cost Estimate Phase IV. Project Development Fee Phase IV. 5 hrs x 52 weeks x $85.00 $22, Design and Construct 5 Rental Cabins at 400 sq. ft. per cabin $200, fully furnished as a prefabricated cabin that is fully furnished for $40, per cabin at $ s.f. with screened in porch Design & construct event area parking 9.5 acres (revised from $413, $2.00 a s.f to $1.00 s.f at the request of Hodges) Design & construct uncovered arena with amenities 150 x 270 (revised from $72.00 a s.f for a covered arena to $36.00 s.f uncovered arena at the request of Hodges) $1,458, PHASE IV Opinion of Probable Cost 2,093, E70

71 Market Analysis F

72 RBC Equestrian park Market Analysis Market analysis of the regional equine community is necessary in the planning and development of a successful equestrian trail park that will serve the needs and desires of all riders and enthusiasts. To accomplish this, a public survey was developed and circulated throughout the southeastern equine community, via and social media, to identify rider characteristics, economics, and park and trail preferences. The survey was conducted in March The survey was well received by the equine community and had great success with 206 participants providing feedback. The participants were primarily from the Alabama but responses came from all parts of the southeast. The survey allowed the Town of Hodges to define the typical equestrian rider, equestrian trail riding market needs, and the potential economic impact of the park on the Hodges community. The survey identified park amenity preferences, trail system preferences, and rider group characteristics that enabled the Town to develop a park and trail system that will accommodate all types of equestrian trail riders and establish an appropriate fee schedule for park use. It also allowed the Town to make future economic projections to support the success of the new park in Hodges. The survey results are discussed below and also contained in Appendix 7 of this document. Target Market Definition To create an equestrian tourist destination, that serves all types of equestrian trail riders, requires an understanding of the target market. The results from the public survey help to define the target market for the park. The majority of the survey respondents primary residence is between 100 and 200 miles from Hodges, which constituted over 35% of the total participants. 27% of the respondents primary residence is between 50 and 100 miles from Hodges. Figure 7.1 illustrates the survey respondents primary residence in comparison to Hodges. See Appendix 7 for full results. According to the public survey, the typical equestrian trail rider is a caucasian female. 78% of the survey respondents are female and 22% are male. See Figure % of the survey respondents are caucasion. See Figure 7.3. The majority of survey participants are between the ages 45 and 64, which constitutes over 60% of the responses. 29% of the respondents were between the ages of 45 and % of the respondents were between the ages of 55 to 64. All other age groups, combined, represented 33.6% of the survey respondents. Only 15% of the survey respondents are under age 35 and only 7% are over age 65. See Figure 7.4. The educational attainment of 87% of the survey respondents exceeds a high school diploma. 35.4% of survey respondents have some college or a 2 year degree. 9.4% of respondents attended a business or technical school. 21% of respondents completed a 4 year college degree and 21% of respondents have a graduate or advanced college degree. See Figure 7.5. The employment characteristics of the survey respondents indicate that 26.4% are professional workers, 15.4% are retired, 14.8% own their own farm or business, and 13.7% are employed as a manager or executive. These four categories constitute over 70% of the total participants. See Figure 7.6. The income ranges of the survey respondents are illustrated in Figure7.7. Four of the income ranges received 17-18% of the responses each: $15,000-$34,999, $35,000-$49,000, $50,000-$64,999, and $65,000-$99,999. Over 55% of the survey participants make over $50,000 a year. Almost 20% of the survey respondents earn over $100,000 a year. In summary, the social demographic F72

73 Market Analysis RBC Equestrian Park Figure Survey Respondents Primary Location in Comparison to Hodges Figure Sex of Survey Respondents F73

74 RBC Equestrian park Market Analysis Figure 7.3- Race of Survey Respondents Figure Age of Survey Respondents F74

75 Market Analysis RBC Equestrian Park Figure Educational Attainment of Respondents profile of the typical equestrian trail rider in the southeast is a middle aged to retired, female caucasion that is college educated with a degree or skilled trade; is employed as a professional, executive or skilled worker or retired, or owns their own business or farm; and earns well above the average income in the state of Alabama. Therefore, equestrian trail riders and equine sports enthusiasts have discretionary/disposable income to support their recreational sport and provide indirect economic support to communities that host equestrian parks. Market Trends Equestrian trail riding is one of the oldest forms of outdoor recreation in our country and it has continued to grow in popularity over the years. Being a horse owner is a way of life, not a hobby, and the equestrian community demonstrates their own cultural traits that are based on their love of horses. According to the Alabama Equine Industry: Inventory, Impacts, and Prospects by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station at Auburn University, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, and the Alabama Horse Council, there were 186,871 horses in Alabama in 2005 and 89 thousand households owned or lease equine--that is one in every 20 Alabama households. According to the report, there were 72 saddle clubs in Alabama in 2005 with 2,150 members. Most horse owners belong to more than one equine organization specific to horse breed and/or preferred activity. Horse owners typically participate in a wide variety of horse activities including horse shows, rodeos, barrel racing, tie-down roping, dressage, competitive and endurance riding, and many more. Pleasure trail riding is one activity most everyone in the equine community enjoys and partici- F75

76 RBC Equestrian park Market Analysis Figure Employment Type of Respondents Figure Personal Income of Respondents F76

77 Market Analysis RBC Equestrian Park pates in. Unfortunately, a reduction of trails, trail heads and the closure of federal lands to horses and pack animals has been a growing concern for recreational riders around the country. There is a clear feeling among recreational riders that access to trails historically open to equestrians is being lost. This is due to the potential adverse impacts horses can have on environments when trail systems are not properly constructed and maintained. As equestrian trail riding has grown in popularity, so has a better understanding of proper trail maintenance to prevent adverse effect and many communities are supporting the development of these forms of nature-based tourism for recreation and economic development. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Recreational Trails Program recognizes that many of the state s residents value and enjoy this form of recreation and has taken an active position in recent years to support the development of parks and facilities providing opportunities for equestrian recreation within the State. Equestrian trail market trends were also defined in the public survey conducted in association with this business plan. There were many equestrian trail rider characteristics identified by the survey participants including the number of times a year they visit equestrian trail systems, the number of nights they stay at these facilities, the number of people in their riding group, the types of trail riding facilities they prefer, and many more. Equestrian trail riding parks have experienced an increase in annual visitors over recent years according to recreational trends. According to the survey, 33% of respondents take more than 15 trips to equestrian trail riding facilities a year and 21.8% take 5-10 trips a year. 15.8% of respondents visit trail facilities times a year. Therefore, 70.8% of the survey respondents attend equestrian trail facilities at least 5 or more times a year. See Figure 7.8. Of those annual trips, 32.8% said it was attend 3-5 special organized park events such as a trail ride, an equine sporting activity, or concert. 28.9% of survey respondents indicated that, of their annual trail riding facility trips, only 2 or less were to attend special events. See Figure 7.9. Due to the market trend of equestrian trail riders to travel in large groups to parks, there is a market need for parks to be designed as final destinations capable of sustaining visitors for several days. Parks should be designed to accommodate groups of people on the trails and at park amenities such as restrooms, campgrounds, and parking facilities. 35% of survey respondents stay 3 days away from home when visiting equestrian trail riding facilities and 20% stay 2 days away from home. 30% of respondents stay away from home for more than an extended weekend of 4 days or more. Only 11% of the respondents typically do not stay overnight at or near the facility. See Figure This demonstrates the need for onsite overnight facilities at the trail system. Survey participants were asked what factors were most important when they are choosing equestrian trail facilities to visit. See Figure % of survey respondents consider the trail system design as an important factor when choosing which trail parks to visit. Driving distance to the park and park cost were also rated with high importance to 66.5% and 58.1%. Park amenities, park and trailhead attractiveness, and park tree canopy and wildlife all were identified as being important factors to around 50% of survey respondents each. Therefore, the trail design, layout, and construction will determine the success of the park. According to the survey, 31.7% of respondents typically have equestrian riding groups consisting of 3-5 people. Over 40% of respondents ride in groups that consist of more than 5 people. See Figure This supports the need to construct two-lane width trails throughout the primary critical access trail system because riding groups are typically large and need extra trail width for riding F77

78 RBC Equestrian park Market Analysis Figure Number of Annual Trips to Equestrian Trail Riding Facilities Figure Number of Annual Trips to Equestrian Trail Riding Facilities for Special Events F78

79 Market Analysis RBC Equestrian Park Figure Number of Days Spent Away from Home when Traveling to Trail Parks Figure What Factors are Important when Choosing Parks to Visit F79

80 RBC Equestrian park Market Analysis Figure Number of People Typically in Riding Group Figure Type of Riding Group F80

81 Market Analysis RBC Equestrian Park Figure Member of Equine Group, Saddle Club, or Organization Figure Number of Members of Equine Group, Saddle Club or Organization F81

82 RBC Equestrian park Market Analysis comfort and safety. Large riding groups also require more park amenities such as campsites and stalls. 69.3% of survey respondents described their typical riding group as consisting of friends. See Figure % or respondents ride in family groups. 75.2% of survey respondents belong to an equestrian group, saddle club, or organization. See Figure Figure 7.15 illustrates the number of members associated with survey respondents equine clubs, groups, and organizations. 27.9% of respondents belong to riding groups with between members. 34.4% of respondents belong to groups with less than 50 members. 29.2% of respondents belong to groups with between members. 36.3% of respondents belong to groups with over 100 members. Equestrian clubs often hold annual organized events at trail parks and arenas that can support large groups for day and overnight use. Local clubs may also volunteer materials and labor for construction and maintenance in exchange for park use. Market Needs With the increasing popularity of equestrian trail riding comes the demand for more diverse equestrian parks and trail facilities. Riders not only need more trail opportunities, but they also need these facilities to be well planned and designed to adequately accommodate equine and their specific needs. Equestrian trail riding has unique needs in trail design, width, aggregate, length, obstacles, and grade. The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will be developed utilizing industry standard equestrian trail design resources and public survey input to ensure these needs are met. Survey participants were asked how many miles, per day, a typical ride was for them. For 62% of respondents, 5-15 miles is an average day ride. See Figure % indicated that a typical day ride for them was miles long. Only 1% rides over 30 miles a day and only 8% rides less than 5 miles. These survey results give trail system planners a good model for developing the trail design. As previously discussed, riders will typically stay 3 days at the park and want a trail system long enough to support at least 3 days of riding. The current projected trail system length is 40 miles. Based on the individuals daily trail length preference, there will enough trail system to support 2 to 8 days of riding without repeating trail segments. When survey participants were asked what other activities their riding group participated in while visiting equestrian trail parks, 48.6% said they participated in swimming, 47% participated in nature watching, and 42.3% participated in fishing. See Figure % participated in hiking and 27.4% participated in canoeing/kayaking. Survey participants were asked to identify what campsite amenities they preferred at equestrian trail parks. Figure 7.18 illustrates these results. 92% of respondents prefer water at the campsite; 86% prefer electricity; 84% prefer shade; and 79% prefer campsite horse trailer parking. A picnic table and fire ring were also preferred by over 50% of respondents. In addition to the choices on the survey, respondents also indicated other campsite preferences such as horse stalls and picket lines. A full list of all responses are listed in Appendix 7. The park campsites will be designed to accommodate most all of the campsite amenities preferred by survey respondents and vary in their amenities based on what type of campsite it is and how far away it is from the trailhead. According to the survey, when staying overnight at equestrian trail parks, the majority of respondents use horse amenities such as stalls, covered stables, paddocks, arenas, and grooming areas. See Figure % indicated that they always use these amenities, 26.4% often use them, F82

83 Market Analysis RBC Equestrian Park Figure Average Daily Trail Ride Length Figure Other Activities Riding Group Participates In F83

84 RBC Equestrian park Market Analysis Figure Preferred Campsite Amenities Figure How Often Overnight Park Visitors Use Horse Amenities F84

85 Market Analysis RBC Equestrian Park Figure Preferred Horse Trailer Parking Surface Figure Other Equine Sports Trail Riders Participate In F85

86 RBC Equestrian park Market Analysis and 29.4% sometimes use them. Only 9% never use park horse amenities. This supports the need for a barn/covered stables facility at the trailhead and additional stalls within the campground, paddocks, an arena, and grooming/ farrier area. Overnight visitors will pay user fees for horse amenities. When asked what their preferred horse trailer parking lot surface was, 51% indicated compacted gravel while 38.3% indicated mowed grass. Only 10.6% preferred asphalt. See Figure 7.20 In addition to the choices listed on the survey, respondents could list other preferences. The majority of those who responded indicated that a flat, level surface that was not rutted or muddy, was the most important factor with horse trailer parking surfaces. A full list of all responses are listed in Appendix 7. Based on these results, compacted gravel will be used throughout the trailhead for most all roads and parking facilities. The public survey asked participants to identify what other equine sports they participated in. Figure 7.21 illustrates these results. 52% of the respondents participate in barrel racing and 30.9% participate in endurance riding. 24.7% participate in pole bending and 19.8% participate in dressage. Show jumping and team roping is popular among 16% of respondents each and tie-down roping is popular with 14.8% or respondents. In addition to the choices in the survey, respondents listed other equine sports they participated in including horse shows, team penning, western pleasure riding, rail jumping/eventing, competitive trail riding, and arena shows. A full list of all responses are listed in Appendix 7. According to the survey results, many equestrian trail riders also participate in multiple equine sports. This supports the construction of an arena at the trailhead to accommodate equine events and attractions that will increase park visitation while supporting the additional needs of the trail riders. The park should be designed as tourist destination and provide all the amenities riders need for day use and for long-term stay. Many enthusiasts take trail riding vacations and need full service facilities to maximize their overall experience. Survey participants were asked to identify what park amenities they would like to see at the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park. Figure 7.22 illustrates these results. Restroom facilities received the most support at 95%. Amenities that received 70% support or more were hitching posts throughout trailhead, shower facilities/changing area, large horse trailer parking area, barn/stalls, and trail signs/mile markers. Amenities that received between 50-70% support were picnic area/grills, water faucets at horse trailer parking and other horse amenities, rv camping area, paddocks/corrals, and a grocery/convenience store. Amenities that received 25-50% support were a tent camping area, a cool down ring, an arena, availability of feed/ hay/ shavings, horse grooming area, and a mounting ramp. In addition to the choices in the survey, respondents listed other amenities they would like to see at the park including pull-through rv campsites large enough to accommodate horse trailers, cabins, and covered stalls. A full list of all responses are listed in Appendix 7 The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will provide most all of the amenities discussed in the survey to meet the needs of the trail riders. Survey participants were given the opportunity to provide additional comments concerning the Hodges equestrian trail and trail riding in general. Most of the comments expressed support and encouragement to the Town for the development of the park. The other comments pertained mostly to discussing which camping and horse amenities riders preferred. All of the amenities discussed in the comment question will be provided at the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park and therefore, no new needs where identified. However, many respondents indicated that it F86

87 Market Analysis RBC Equestrian Park Figure Desired Amenities at the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park F87

88 RBC Equestrian park Market Analysis was not safe for horses to share water buckets at drinking stations and for that reason, most owners carry their own buckets so there was no need for troughs. All of the comments provided by survey participants are listed in Appendix 7. Economic Benefits and Impacts The economic benefits of equestrian trail parks to communities and regions has been assessed nationwide in many reports and surveys. They all share and demonstrate the same conclusion: equine recreational facilities substantially increase economic revenues of communities and stimulate new business development within these communities. Known economic benefits from equestrian trail parks include: attraction of tourists to an area, increases demand for existing and new services, generates entrepreneurial opportunities, sustains and creates jobs, and increases property values. The equine industry in Alabama has contributed and influenced the economy and way of life in the state. Many businesses are directly supported by the horse industry such as farming and timbering: hay and grain are grown and sold by Alabama farmers and the state s timber industry supplies sawdust, woodchips, and lumber for barns and stables. According to the USDA 2007 Census of Agriculture, there were 48,753 farms in Alabama. 12,424 farms in Alabama had horses on them with 4,928 of those farms specific to horses and other equine production. There were 5,285 hay farms in Alabama in 2007 and 2,359 grain farms, all of which are directly supported by the equine industry in the state. According to the Alabama Equine Industry: Inventory, Impacts, and Prospects funded by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station at Auburn University, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, and the Alabama Horse Council, the horse industry s impact on Alabama s economy is $2.3 billion annually. This estimate is associated with direct and indirect costs including horse care and maintenance, veterinary services, medications, insurance, feed, and bedding. The study reports that of the 186,871 horses in Alabama in 2005, 90% of them are for recreational use only and owners spend an average of $8,705 annually per horse. Another 9% of the state s horses are used for light to moderate horse shows, for competition, or for breeding stock. These horses annual expenditures are considered moderate and average $28,260 annually per horse. The remaining 1% of Alabama s horses are considered high-value regional and/or national horses and owners spend an average $69,080 annually per horse. According to the Alabama Equine Industry report, horse shows and rodeos in Alabama directly contribute more than $10 million to the state s economy and draw tourists into Alabama from all over the country. The report assessed estimated expenditures of horse owners attending Alabama s major horse shows in Table 7.1 illustrates this data. According to the table, over 23,000 people participated in an organized horse event in Alabama in one year, and this number did not include small organized trail rides by local saddle clubs. 2.2 million was spent on lodging and 2.4 million was spent on food to attend these organized events throughout the state in their host communities. 1.7 million was spent on fuel traveling to these events. Depending on the type of event and the number of participants, events contributed to between 50,000 and 2.7 million in their local communities just for that one major event. This data clearly demonstrates the economic benefits of equestrian trail parks and equine sports facilities within communities. In addition, the estimated income multiplier for the horse industry is 1.9. This means that every F88

89 Market Analysis RBC Equestrian Park Horse Show Hunter Jumper Medal Finals- Montgomery Shelby Co. Heart Of Dixie Horse Show Alabama All Arabian-Andalusia Alabama Charity Championship-Decatur Fort Rucker Horse Trails Southeast Livestock Expo- Montgomery Mid-South Spring Premier-Decatur Alabama State NBHA Championship- Andalusia Walking Horse Circuit Alabama Championship Team Roping- Montgomery Racking Horse Spring Celebration- Decatur Walking Horse Jubilee-Decatur Entries Event Days Entry Fees($) Other Fees($) Trainer Fees($) Lodging ($) Meals ($) Local Purchases ($) Fuel ($) Total ($) ,450 10,290 3,308 11,025 13,230 2,940 7,350 50, ,900 8,260 2,655 8,850 5,900 2,360 17,700 51, ,750 15,750 5,063 16,875 20,250 4,500 11,250 77, ,125 17,500 5,625 18,750 22,500 5,000 9,375 81, ,220 18,060 5,805 19,350 23,220 5,160 12, , ,500 23,800 7,650 25,500 30,600 6,800 25, , ,500 31,500 10,125 33,750 40,500 9,000 22, , ,350 28,980 9,315 31,050 37,260 8,280 31, , ,550 27,370 8,798 29,325 35,190 7,820 58, , ,400 39,480 12,690 42,300 50,760 11,280 28, , ,500 70,000 22,500 75,000 90,000 20,000 37, , ,400 85,680 27,540 91, ,160 24,480 61, ,260 AQHA Circuit , ,375 32, , ,625 29,250 73, , State Rodeos AOHA State Show-Montgomery State 4-H Show -Montgomery 256 Other Local Show Circuits Racking Horse World Celebration- Decatur 3, , , ,900 94,600 37, , ,180 2, , , , ,965 73, ,425 1,186,468 2, , , , , , ,000 1,430,500 7, , , , ,000 76, ,000 1,516,800 2, , , , , , , ,000 2,777,500 Total ($) 23, ,095 2,041, ,480 2,269,801 2,489, ,280 1,740,525 10,158,119 F89

90 RBC Equestrian park Market Analysis 500 mile ra r dius r 250 mile ra adius Hodges, AL Map and 500 Mile Radius Around Hodges, AL Illustrating Maximum Travel Distance F90

91 Market Analysis RBC Equestrian Park $1.00 transaction in the horse industry results in an additional $1.90 of total economic activity. Therefore, the economic benefits continue to pass through the community and state s economy creating jobs. According to a report from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System titled, Economic Impacts of the Alabama Horse Industry 1989, an estimated 2,000 to 2,800 full-time job equivalents are directly involved with horses in Alabama. The horse industry induces aggregate employment of 3,480 to 4,872 jobs in Alabama. This report also estimated that horse owners spend an average $1,500 per horse on fuel, food, lodging, stall fees, and registration/use fees to attend horse events throughout the state. The public survey conducted in association with this business plan also defines economic characteristics of the equine industry that can be used to project future economic success for the equestrian trail park. Survey participants were asked what was the maximum distance they would travel for trail riding, how much money they typically spend on permits and indirect costs, and how much they typically spend on camping, food, gas, and horse amenities per event. When asked what the maximum distance was they would travel for trail riding, 40% of participants indicated the maximum they travel was between 100 and 250 miles. 23% of respondents would travel a maximum of 250 to 500 miles and 17% of respondents would travel a maximum of 75 to 100 miles. See Figure The maximum distance trail riders can travel to trail parks is directly related to how far horses can comfortably ride long distances in horse trailers. Less than 5% of respondents are willing to travel over 500 miles to horse trails. A 500 mile radius around the Town of Hodges includes major cities such as Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Little Rock, Atlanta, Charlotte, Tallahassee, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Jackson. See Map 7.1. The potential market population is over 7 million just in these metropolitan areas, not including the rural counties and smaller cities and towns in between. Survey respondents were asked to identify what market sectors they spend money in when traveling long distances to equestrian trail parks. 90% of respondents indicated they purchased gas and 76% eat at local restaurants. 74.% of respondents purchase groceries and 93% stay at the local campground (52% stay in rv campsites, 27% stay in tent campsites, and 13% stay in primitive campsites). See Figure % shop at local retail businesses and almost 30% stay in local hotels, motels, and cabins. 69% will visit other local equine businesses and attractions within the community and 44% will visit other local attractions unique to the community. These results demonstrate that 93% will stay within the park on campsites if they are available, thus supporting the need for this type of development. These results also show that the majority of people that visit the park will leave the park and go out into the community and spend money resulting in economic growth and development within the community. Existing businesses will see an increase in sales and new business will open up to support market needs. Survey respondents were asked how much they typically spend on a typical equestrian trail riding trip to a trail park, including lodging, food, gas, and other expenses. 20.6% of the respondents spend an average of $200-$299 per trip. 19.6% spend an average of $300-$399 per trip. 16.4% of survey participants spend between $500 and $749 per trip. Over 74% of survey participants spend over $200 per trip and over 24% spend $500 or more per trip. See Figure F91

92 RBC Equestrian park Market Analysis Survey respondents were asked how much they typically spend within the trail riding park on user fees such as riding permits, horse amenities, and camping per trip. 21.3% of respondents spend $ and 19.7% spend $50-99 per trip. 16% spend $ and 17.6% spend under $50. 75% of survey respondents spend less than $200 within the trail park per visit, while the remaining 25% of respondents spend more than $200 within the trail park per trip. See Figure Survey participants were asked how much they typically pay for a daily riding fee per person. 38.7% or survey respondents spend between $5-10 on a daily riding fee per person. 17.7% of respondents spend between $10-15 and 15.6% spend less than $5 on a daily riding fee per person. See Figure Daily riding fees will determined by comparing Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park amenities and trail system to other existing trail parks and their associated user fees. This is discussed in more detail in Section 9-Financial Plan of this Plan. Riding fees will include one rider and one horse. The park will assign additional nominal entrance fees for additional horses and non-riders to cover the cost of environmental and user impact to the trails and park amenities. Even spectators have a measurable impact and therefore should bear some of that cost. In addition, charging all individuals in the park keeps the facility at a comfortable visitor capacity and decreases over-crowding of the park which results in a negative experience for all visitors. Survey participants were asked how much they typically spend per night on camping facilities at trail riding parks. 29.5% of respondents pay $20-25 for camping per night at trail parks. 29% of respondents spend between $15-20 and 28% spend between $10-15 per night on camping facilities at trail parks. Only 7.7% spend less than $10 and only 6% spend over $25 per night for camping facilities. See Figure Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park camping fees will be determined comparing park and camping amenities with other existing facilities and is discussed more in Section 9-Financial Plan of this Plan. When asked if they would visit and support an equestrian trail park in Hodges, Alabama, 56.6% of survey respondents indicated that it was very likely and 37.6% indicated that it was somewhat likely that they would visit and support the park. See Figure Only 5% of participants indicated that it was somewhat unlikely to very unlikely for them to visit and support the park. According to the survey, these same participants live over 250 to 500 miles away from Hodges and this is likely the reason for their response. Survey participants were asked what type of daily rider fee they would support at the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park assuming the park had similar amenities to other parks in their region. Figure 7.30 illustrates these results. 46.7% of respondents indicated that they would support a day rider permit cost between $ % indicated they would support a day rider permit cost of $ % indicated they would support a day rider fee between $ Over 53% of survey participants indicated support for a day riding permit cost over $10 for the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park. Competitive Comparison Public survey participants were asked to list the three equestrian trails/facilities they rode most often. 104 equestrian trails were listed by survey respondents. The ten locations that were listed the most by survey participants are illustrated in Table 7.2. See Appendix 7 for full results. F92

93 Market Analysis RBC Equestrian Park Figure Maximum Miles Willing to Travel for Trail Riding Figure Typical Expenditures Per Market Sectors F93

94 RBC Equestrian park Market Analysis Figure Typical Spending of Rider Per Horse Riding Trail Trip Figure Typical Spending of Rider Within Trail Riding Park F94

95 Market Analysis RBC Equestrian Park Figure Typical Cost of Daily Riding Fee Per Person Figure Typical Cost of Camping Facilities Per Night F95

96 RBC Equestrian park Market Analysis Figure Likelihood of Visiting and Supporting Hodges Trail Park Figure Supported Cost of Daily Riding Permit at the Hodges Trail Park F96

97 Market Analysis RBC Equestrian Park As discussed in the beginning of this section, the majority of the survey respondents primary residence is between 100 and 200 miles from Hodges, which constituted over 35% of the total participants. 27% of the respondents primary residence is between 50 and 100 miles from Hodges. The 20 parks with the highest survey responses are all located in the south. This is primarily due to the majority of respondents being from the south HorseTrailsDirectory.com is an internet page that list all the horse trails in the United States, including their features, trail lengths, and park amenities. It also allows trail riders to score these parks based on their experiences at these facilities. The website maintains a list of their 5 Star Campground Horse Trails, ranked by trail riders nationwide. Their top ten trail parks are listed in Table 7.3. According to this data, Big South Fork in Tennessee, Heart of Dixie in Alabama, Circle E Guest Ranch in Tennessee, and Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky are favorites not only with our survey, but nationwide as well. The Big South Fork area of Tennessee and Kentucky is known as equestrian country for all the equestrian trail, camps, and retail businesses. The area is located along the Kentucky and Tennessee state line, in the middle of the states, and boast dozens of equestrian businesses and recreational facilities, both public and privately owned. The area links many towns and communities through equestrian trails and fosters an equine lifestyle through commerce, transportation, and community events. That is why so many equestrian trail riders nationwide are familiar with the Big South Fork area and rank it at the top of their list. The Town of Hodges s goal is to create an equestrian trail park destination that will attract visitors nationwide for its diverse and scenic trail system and park designed for all types of equine sports with park amenities that will accommodate long-term stay with additional recreation opportunities East Fork Horse Trails & Stables Big 36 Buffalo River Trail Ride, Waynesville, TN 13 South Fork, TN Bandy Creek Equestrian Trails Big South 35 Warden Station Talladega National Forest, AL 13 Fork National Rec. Area, TN Seven Springs Lodge, Tuscumbia, AL 27 Faye Whittemore Farms, Jasper, AL 10 KC Horse Ranch & Trail Ride, Double 17 Laurel Hill WMA, TN 8 Springs, AL Heart of Dixie, Troy, AL 16 Natchez Trace Horse Camp State Park, TN 8 Circle E Guest Ranch, Belvidere, TN 16 Wind Creek State Park, AL 7 Many Cedars Campground & Trail Ride, 16 Oak Mountain State Park, AL 6 TN Land Between the Lakes Wrangler Campground 14 Coldwater Recreation Area, Milton, FL 6 National Rec. Area, KY Percy Warner Park Horse Trail, TN 13 Witch Dance Horse Trail, Natchez, MS 5 Bankhead National Forest, AL 13 Russell Lands on Lake Martin, Alexander City, AL 5 Table 7.2- The 20 Equestrian Trails Facilities Visited Most Often by Survey Respondents F97

98 RBC Equestrian park Market Analysis for guest. Therefore, an inventory of park amenities at equestrian trail parks most frequented by survey respondents was created and is illustrated in Table 7.4. Other well-known equestrian trail parks in the south that are good examples for park design were also included. The table allows for comparison of amenities between these parks. The information in the table above was obtained from park webpages, therefore parks may have more or less amenities than identified in the table. Most of the parks listed in the table were identified by survey respondents as one of their favorite trail parks. Other parks were listed due to their amenities and park design for comparison. According to the table above, most of the trails most frequented by survey respondents have a form of over-night stay accommodation. At a minimum, this is primitive camping, however, most provide rv/horse trailer facilities. 13 of the parks listed above provide cabins for rent. The majority of the trail parks provide horse amenities such as barns, stalls, paddocks, and other equine services. Almost all of the trails hosted annual events according to their webpage. Only 2 of the trail parks listed have an arena. In addition, some of the parks also provided other amenities such as ponds for fishing, playgrounds, wifi, swimming pool, golf course, boating, community house/dining hall, hiking trails, mountain biking trails, kayaking/ canoeing, marina, horse rentals, riding lessons, restaurant, and laundry facilities. Comparison between park amenities supports the proposed park fee schedule, in Section 9-Financial Plan of this Plan, for the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park. The cost of park use permits is directly proportional to park quality and amenities. The more on-site amenities that support long-term stay that a park has, the more likely it will become an equestrian tourist destination as opposed to only serve local populations. Big South Fork Timber Ridge Horse Campground Heart of Dixie Trail Ride, LLC Big South Fork True West Campground Stables and Mercantile Slabtown Trail Riders Mammoth Cave Horse Camp Circle E Guest Ranch, LLC Eagle Ranch Hayes Canyon Campground Land Between the Lakes Wranglers Camp Shawnee National Forest Bear Branch Campground Location Jamestown, TN Troy, AL Jamestown, TN Roby, MO Mammoth Cave, KY Belvidere, TN Collins, MO Eddyville, IL Cadiz, KY Eddyville, IL Table The Top 10 5 Star 20 Campground Horse Trails According to HorseTrailsDirectory.com F98

99 Market Analysis RBC Equestrian Park Park Name Big South Fork-East Fork Stables, TN Miles of Trails Restrooms Showers Camping 100+ x Cabins RV Tent Barn/ Covered Stalls Paddocks/ open stalls/ corrals Picnic area/ pavilion Camp Store Horse Services Arena Events Other Amenities 220 x x x x x Restaurant Big South Fork-True West Campground, Stables, and Mercantile, TN Park Name Big South Fork- Timber Ridge Horse Campground, TN Big South Fork National Forest-Bandy Creek Stables, TN 10 trails; 200 miles Miles of Trails 200 miles x Restrooms Showers x Camper rental, RV Tent Primitive Camping Cabins, RV, tent 180+ x (Bandy Creek Camp ground across street) RVno sewer at sites, 67 x x x x x Wifi; Barn/ Covered Stalls Paddocks/ open stalls/ corrals Picnic area/ pavilion Camp Store Horse Services Verizon cell service; stocked pond for fishing Arena Events Other Amenities 50 x x x x x Wifi, common full kitchen, washer & dryer, covered deck with flat screen tv, corrals x x x x Swimming pool, volley ball, tent, primitive Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area Wrangler Campground, KY 15 trails; 100 miles x Cabins RV Tent Primitive x x x x x x Washer & dryer Heart of Dixie Trail Ride, LLC, AL 5 trails, 35 miles x Cabins RV Tent x x x x x x x Golf driving range, pool, horseshoes, fishing on farm ponds, Primitive Table Comparison of Park Amenities at Equestrian Trail Facilities F99

100 RBC Equestrian park Market Analysis Circle E Guest Ranch, TN Seven Springs Lodge, AL 12 trails, 125 miles 19 trails, 100 miles x x Cabins RV Tent Cabins RV Tent 400 x x x x Restaurant, conference hall uncovered stalls x x x x Saloon, swimming pool, horse rental Primitive KC Horse Ranch & Trail Ride, AL 6 trails, 25 miles x Cabins RV Tent x x x x x x Dining hall, trailer storage Primitive Many Cedars Campground & Trail Ride, TN 10 trails, 60 miles x Cabins, RV-no sewer, x x x x x x Kayaking service Tent Primitive Percy Warner Horse Trail, TN 10 miles x No camping x x Park Name Owl Creek Horse Trails ( Black Warrior, Brushy Loop, Pine Torch) Bankhead National Forest, AL Buffalo River Trail Ride, TN Warden Station Shoal Creek Horse Trail Talladega National Forest, AL Miles of Trails 3 trails, 46 miles 20 trails, 70 miles 6 trails, 57 miles Restrooms Showers x x x Camping Primitive Tent-no water or sewer, Primitive 45 Primitive Barn/ Covered Stalls Paddocks/ open stalls/ corrals Picnic area/ pavilion Camp Store Horse Services Arena Events Other Amenities x x x x Washer & dryer Table Comparison of Park Amenities at Equestrian Trail Facilities F100

101 Market Analysis RBC Equestrian Park Faye Whittemore Farms, AL 6 trails, 35 miles x Cabins, RV-no sewer, x x x x Horse rental; fishing, meals Tent Primitive Laurel Hill WMA, TN 10 trails, 24 miles x RV-no sewer, Tent x x x Lakes for fishing, atv trails Primitive Natchez Trace Horse Camp State Park, TN 20 trails, 100 miles x RV-no sewer, Tent x x x Primitive Windcreek State Park, AL 1 trail, 10 miles x Cabins RV Tent x x x Swimming pool, marina, fishing, boating, playground Primitive Oak Mountain State Park, AL Coldwater Recreation Area, FL 14 miles 5 trails, 50 miles x x Cabins RV Tent Primitive RV-no sewer Tent x x x x Fishing, golf course, petting farm, canoe rentals, horse rentals, sandy beach, mountain bike trails 75 x x x x Community kitchen Witch Dance Horse Trail, MS Park Name Russell Lands on the Lake Martin, AL Crowe Mountain Guest Ranch, AL Cane Creek Horse Park, AL 18 miles Miles of Trails 80 miles 10 miles 12 miles x Restrooms Showers Primitive No camping Camping Barn/ Covered Stalls Paddocks/ open stalls/ corrals Picnic area/ pavilion Camp Store Horse Services Arena Events Other Amenities x None x x x x x x Golf course, town center, marina x x Cabins RV Tent Primitive Primitivemo water, sewer, or electric x x x x x x x Riding lessons, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, fishing, saloon, community house x x F101

102

103 G Market Strategy

104 RBC Equestrian park Market Strategy According to the public survey conducted in association with this plan, a new equestrian park that provides challenging recreation for all types of equine sports is needed in the Hodges community. The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park would not only benefit the local horseback riders in Alabama, but also all equestrian enthusiast from across the southeast. 95% indicated that they would support the proposed Hodges Equestrian Trail Park. Many of the respondents indicated the need for an equestrian trail park in that portion of the state because one does not exist and local riders have to drive long distances to trail ride. Creating a trail system that would not only be a tourist destination for southeast riders, but also serve the local equestrian community is desirable. The Town of Hodges plans to design a park for local and out-of-town riders that will host trail riding and other equine sports and provide many of the park amenities identified in the public survey. Therefore, the proposed park will satisfy identified unmet needs of the equestrian community. According to the Alabama Equine Industry: Inventory, Impacts, and Prospects by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station at Auburn University, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, and the Alabama Horse Council, there were 186,871 horses in Alabama in 2005 and 89 thousand households owned or lease equine--that is one in every 20 Alabama households. There were 72 saddle clubs in Alabama in 2005 with 2,150 members. Therefore, the market exists within the state to support the proposed new park. Adjacent states like Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky boast similar numbers and are within the 500 mile driving radius around Hodges that is identified as the potential market range. The location of the park will also benefit the parks ability to succeed. The Tennessee Valley is known for its beautiful rolling hills and valleys, its diverse streams and forest ecosystems, and its scenic terrain and is a tourist attraction for many outdoor enthusiasts nationwide. In addition, the park s centralized location in the southeast make it readily accessible to all equestrian enthusiast in the region. According to the public survey, 84% of respondents will travel 100 miles or more to an equestrian trail park. Over 67% of survey participants indicated they would travel 250 miles or more to an equestrian trail park. 28% indicated they would travel 500 miles or more to an equestrian trail park. Competitive Edge In order to determine the competitive edge of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park, research and comparative analysis of the existing horse trails within the region was done. According to the public survey and research of equestrian trails within the state, there are currently around 34 equestrian trail riding areas within Alabama. 44% of the equestrian trails within the state of Alabama are located on state or federal park lands, and therefore possess minimal or no amenities with the exception of a public restroom located at the trailhead. However, a few of these public park trails offer camping and some horse amenities. The remaining 56% of the trail parks within the state are privately owned trail systems that are open to the public and possess camping and horse amenities. Some of these parks contain more amenities than others. Of the privately owned parks, very few parks provide all of the camping, equestrian, and trail system amenities that are proposed at the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park. See Table 7.3. If the park contains all the desired amenities, then it does not have a long enough trail system that is well designed. If the trail system meets the desired market need, then the park lacks amenities to support extended stay or other needs. In addition, some of these parks charge user fees in excess of the desired daily user G104

105 Market Strategy RBC Equestrian Park fee indentified in the public survey. Some of these facilities also charge the same rate for passengers/spectators as they do for equestrian riding permits. Therefore, a day trip for a family of four could easily fall between $50 to $100 just to get in the park. Therefore, the competitive edge of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will be to provide the equestrian community with what is missing from their competitors, at a greater value. Although accomplished through phases, the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will develop a trail system that is challenging, scenic, and specific to different types of riding styles while providing most of the desired amenities needed for day trips and long term vacations. In addition, the park user permit costs will support family and spectator visitation with more entrance fee options, therefore making access to the facility more affordable than some of the existing parks. Land Use Fees/ Permit Schedule In determining the day and annual user fee costs of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park, user permit costs at parks identified in the public survey were compared. Table 8.1 illustrates user permit fees at the most frequented parks by survey respondents as well as other regional parks with desired amenities and park design. According to the table above, state and federal park lands with little or no amenities have lower user fees in comparison to privately owned parks with many trail and park amenities. Typically, the more amenities a facility has, the more expensive their trail use permit. The price range for day use permits for facilities listed in the table above is between $0 to $25 a day. The wide range of variation in permit costs is due to many factors including ownership and amenities. Most public parks do not charge a riding fee but have very little, to no amenities. According to the public survey conducted in association with this plan, 47% of the survey respondents indicated that they would support a day rider permit cost between $5-$10 and 26% of respondents indicated that they would support a day permit cost between $10-$15 at the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park. 18% of respondents indicated they would support a day permit cost between $15-$20. Therefore, over 44% of survey participants indicated support for a day riding permit cost of over $10 for the park. In existing trail parks, rider fees are higher in parks with the most horse and overnight amenities, therefore riding fees are directly proportional to how well developed the park is. The amenities currently proposed for the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park exceed the majority of amenities at most parks on the list above. The Town s goal to create an equestrian trail center with an event arena and foster an equestrian friendly community supports the need for a slightly higher rider fee than is supported by the majority of survey participants. Annual permits, family permits, club permits, and multiple-day permits are not provided by most of the parks in Table 8.1. However, the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will provide these types of permits to support large groups of riders, increased visitation by families and saddle clubs, and longer overnight stays within the park and community by trail visitors. Providing discounts for frequent visits, longer visits, saddle clubs and families allows park trips to be more affordable and happen more frequently. There is a need to assign park entry fees for spectators, non-riders, or shared riders (not accompanied by a horse) to address three issues all parks have: the cost to enter the park for riders and their friends and family that do not ride; the recognized impact each person, including spectators G105

106 RBC Equestrian park Market Strategy Park Name Big South Fork-East Fork Stables, TN Day Permit Special/ Multiple Day Permit $12.50 Call for Rates for Multiple Horse Amenities (Daily) Barn Stall w/ shavings-$16; Paddocks- $10;Corral-$8; Picketing-$5 Camping Fees (Daily) Cabins-$ BunkHouse-$75 Single-$75 Double-$125 Annual Permit Campground-$18-30 Family(4)-$150 Non-rider/ Spectators $5.00 for spectators and each additional camper beyond limit Children Children 17 and under free if not riding; riding rate same Big South Fork-True West Campground, Stables, and Mercantile, TN Big South Fork- Timber Ridge Horse Campground, TN Park Name Big South Fork National Forest-Bandy Creek Stables, TN Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area Wrangler Campground, KY Heart of Dixie Trail Ride, LLC, AL Free Free Barn stall w/ shaving-$15 Free Free Barn stall w/ shaving-$15 Day Permit Special/ Multiple Day Permit Corral-$7 Horse Amenities (Daily) Free Free Barn stall-$15 Corral-$10 Suite-$75 Camper-$55 Campground-$ Additional fees for over limit Cabin$120 Bunkhouses-$60 Campground-$22. Additional fees if over limit Camping Fees (Daily) Campground-$19-22 $5 Varies Barn stall-$10 Cabins-$35-55 $8 N/A Paddocks-$14 Stalls-$10 Campsites-$12-$32 House-$125 Cabins-$50 Family(6)-$200 Free Free Free Free Free Free Annual Permit Non-rider/ Spectators Children Free Free Free $60 $5 $5 N/A $8 5 and under free Circle E Guest Ranch, TN KC Horse Ranch & Trail Ride, AL Campgrounds-$10-$18 Campground-$20-25 $15-person $25-couple campers ride free Varied organized ride fees Picketing-$5 Stalls-$10 $5 stall fee for cleaning- (required) $10 N/A Barn stalls-$10 Picketing-$5 Cabin-$100 Campground-$25 N/A N/A 15 and under free N/A N/A $10 Table User Permit Costs for Equestrian Trail Parks G106

107 Market Strategy RBC Equestrian Park Seven Springs Lodge, AL $5 N/A Barn Stalls-$8 Corrall-$5 Cabin-$150 Bunkhouse-$75 N/A $5 $5 Campground-$15-$18 Many Cedars Campground & Trail Ride, TN Adult-$10 N/A Barn stall-$6 Picketing-free Cabin-$60-$85 Camping/riding: Couples-$35 N/A N/A 6 and under free; Kid 7-12-$4 Person-$20 Percy Warner Horse Trail, TN Free for 1-9 horses Kids7-12-$5 Organized N/A None N/A N/A Free unless in large group Owl Creek Horse Trails ( Black Warrior, Brushy Loop, Pine Torch) Bankhead National Forest, AL Buffalo River Trail Ride, TN Warden Station Shoal Creek Horse Trail Talladega National Forest, AL Park Name Laurel Hill WMA, TN Natchez Trace Horse Camp State Park, TN Windcreek State Park, AL Oak Mountain State Park, AL Free Free None Free-primitive Free Free Free Packages & discounts for clubs, holidays, and organized rides Box Stall-$75 weekly; covered stall-$35 weekly Free None None Primitive for tents & small rvs-$6 Day Permit Special/ Multiple Day Permit Horse Amenities (Daily) Campground-$20 N/A N/A Child $5; Camping Fees (Daily) Child 4-7- $3.50 Free Free Free Non-rider/ Spectators Children Free Free None None Free Free Free Free Free Barn Stalls-$10 Camper Cabin-$34 Campground-$25 Free Free None Cabin-$72-87 Free Free N/A Cabin-$ Annual Permit Campground-$19-25 Campground-$23-29 Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Table User Permit Costs for Equestrian Trail Parks G107

108 RBC Equestrian park Market Strategy Coldwater Recreation Area, FL $2 N/A Stall-$5 Horse arena-$25 Campground-$8-20 $30 Free Free Witch Dance Horse Trail, MS Russell Lands on the Lake Martin, AL Crowe Mountain Guest Ranch, AL Cane Creek Horse Park, AL Show arena-$50 Free Free None None Free Free Free $25 N/A Barn stalls-$18-$30 depending on amenities $15 week; $25 weekend N/A Barn stalls and paddocks-$15-$30 depending on amenities; Picket-$5 None Bunkhouse-$90-$105; Campground-$10-25 $100 person $175 family $10 N/A N/A $10 12 and under $5 to enter and camp; $15 to ride $10 N/A None $10-primitive N/A $10 5 and under free Table User Permit Costs for Equestrian Trail Parks Day Permit (per rider and 1 horse) Multiple Day Permit Annual Permit Adult: $125; Additional Adults (Shared rider/ Spectators) Per Day in Park Children Children 11-17: $100; 5 and Under are free 2 Day-$23 Family (1-4)-$375; Family(1-6)-$550; Riders ages 6-17: 1 Day-$9.50 $ Day-$35 4 Day-$45 Club member (all members must purchase and show membership documentation):20 members or less- $100 per; Over 20 members-$85 per person $3 2 Day-$17 3 day-$25 4 Day$-35 Table 8.2- Proposed Use Permit Fee Schedule for the RBC Equestrian Trail Park G108

109 Market Strategy RBC Equestrian Park and shared riders, have on park trails and amenities; and exceeding trail and amenity capacities resulting in over-crowded parks and its associated impact on the visitor s quality of experience at the park. Most of the parks in the Table 8.1 do not have a spectator/non-rider fee and either charge these individuals the same as they charge trail riders or do not charge them at all and absorb their impact on amenities. The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park recognizes the need to define spectator/non-rider or shared rider fees in order to provide continued financial support to the amount and quality of park amenities and therefore, will assign a fee for this type of park entry. Special event entry fees for spectators will be specific to the event and be different from the daily spectator fee. Special event entrance fees will be determined by the Park Board prior to each event. Four of the parks in Table 8.1 allow children in free if they are under a certain age. Some of the parks offer discounted rider fees for children based on age groups. However, a lot of the facilities charge the same riding fee for children as they do for adults. The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will provide discounted riding fees for children and charge no fee for entry of infants and preschool aged children to make park access more affordable for families. As illustrated in Table 8.1, there are many ways to design a park s fee schedule based on the time of trail use and who is riding the trail and entering the park. Based on the public survey results and the data collected on existing trail parks, the following Park Use Permit Fee Schedule, illustrated in Table 8.2, is proposed for the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park. This fee schedule is subject to change after the establishment of, and assessment by, the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Board. Camping fees and horse amenity fees will be assigned at a later date by the Park Board based on the comparisons made in Table 8.1 and the park amenities developed at the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park. Promotion Strategy Logo and Branding The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will develop their own established logo that will represent the park and be printed on all merchandise and materials and appear in all forms of media. The park s logo should be designed by Phase II of the project so that park merchandise and materials can be branded prior to park opening. The logo design will represent the equestrian park and the Town of Hodges and be the first impression of the facility to the public. The logo should appeal to and attract all types of individuals from the equine community. Signage The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will have a park sign located at the entrance to the park displaying the park s name and logo. This will serve as the first impression Hodges residents and park visitors get of the new equestrian trail facility. The park will also possess a trailhead kiosk that will display the park logo, trail map, and park rules. The trail system will also possess signage specific to trail use that will display the park logo. The park may also choose to advertise via off-premise signs such as billboards along Highways 172 and 187. Directional signs throughout the Town of Hodges and Franklin County may also be used to attract and guide tourists to the park. G109

110 RBC Equestrian park Market Strategy Merchandising The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will have merchandise available for sale to the public at the park general store and possibly at other locations throughout the Town of Hodges. Merchandising will include adult and children t-shirts, hats, car decals, key chains, water bottles, etc. All merchandise will possess the park s logo and its location within the Town of Hodges, Alabama. Printed Material The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will design and distribute printed material with the park s logo and other information displayed on it which includes: park color fold-out brochure, park color single-page flyer, laminated park trail map, trail riding permit/wristband, park spectator permits/ wristbands, and special event advertising. The park s fold-out brochure will contain a list of the park rules and a trail system map and will be given with each trail riding permit upon purchase of the permit and signing the waiver. The laminated trail map will only be available through additional purchase in the camp general store. Special event banners may also be designed and displayed with the park s logo and the on it. Local businesses could support some of the cost associated with the brochure by taking out ad space that would be printed on the brochure advertising such things as restaurants and retailers in the Town of Hodges. Marketing Programs Multi-Media and Advertising The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will design and maintain a website that will serve to advertise the trail park as well as provide park information to the public. The website will promote the park s trail system, amenities, and events in addition to post park rules and use permit costs. Local businesses could support some of the website cost by advertising on the webpage. This will also increase the revenues of the local businesses that purchase ads on the webpage. The park will also establish an address and park phone number to serve public inquires. The park will utilize all economically feasible forms of advertisement such as off-premise signs, television and radio commercials, seasonal publications, and newspaper ads. Conferences, Shows, and Presentations The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will attend trail and eco-tourism related conferences, state and regional equestrian sports events, and equine retailer trade shows, when feasible, to market and advertise the park throughout the equestrian community. This could include setting up vendor/sponsor booths at such events. Equestrian riding lessons and rider safety training presentations could also be given to educate the public of responsible ridership and introduce new people to the sport. Equestrian Organizations, Saddle Clubs, and Retailer Support G110

111 Market Strategy RBC Equestrian Park The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will work closely with local equestrian organizations, saddle clubs, and equine retailers to create relationships of support and partnership via advertisement, sponsorship, vending, and discounted rates of goods and services. Examples of this include: offering free riding passes with the purchase of a saddle or other tack at a local retailer in exchange for advertisement of the park within the retailer s facility; providing discounted group rates to local and regional saddle and riding clubs that advertise the park on club websites; providing discount vendor rates to equine retailers who allow the park advertising space within their facility; and providing discounts to saddle club members who assist with special events at the park and post an ad for the event on their webpage. Municipal Support The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park will be owned and operated by the Town of Hodges, Alabama. The park will provide economic revenue to the region and stimulate business growth throughout the community. Therefore, the Town will actively support and advertise the park as a form of tourism to the Town and County. The Park will be a representation of the Town, and the Town a representation of the Park, therefore sound community planning, management, and support is necessary between both entities. As a recognized economic asset to the community, the park will support local businesses via a community bulletin board at the park. This bulletin board will be available to local merchants, such as restaurants, to post flyers advertising their goods and services. In exchange, participating merchants shall also allow for park flyers or brochures to be located at their facility to increase advertisement and support for the park. Elected and appointed city officials shall also assume a supportive roll of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park and promote the facility throughout the region/nation at meetings and conferences where attendance is funded by Town revenues. G111

112

113 H Financial Plan

114 RBC Equestrian park Financial Plan The financial plan section of this business plan is intended to provide the Town of Hodges with a general assessment of project expenditures and possible cash flow projections for the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park. The projections are based on data obtained from existing equestrian trail parks yearly reports compared with assumptions specific to the Hodges community, regional demographics, and results of the public survey. The projections are early assumptions that act as a guide for potential future revenues. However, these projections are subject to change in response to market changes, design and construction changes, and/or fee schedule changes. This section evaluates cash flows and revenues in two different methods. The first is a per week and day use calculation for evaluating the projects overall potential. The second method provides a detailed calculation and cash flow spreadsheet for evaluating park operations. Sales Forecast and Assumptions Based on Market Research Estimating the average number of park users per year for an equestrian trail can be difficult because most existing equestrian trails are multi-use trails and share the park with pedestrians and bicyclists. Most annual reports of existing parks list total annual park visitors and as opposed to reporting the number of equestrian riders per park. The number of annual trail visitors reported by the parks that were reviewed ranged from 15,000 to over 200,000 visitors per year. Even though this range is broad, it still can be used to project modest to substantial trail ridership, thus allowing projections for future revenues. We estimate the Rock Bridge Canyon Park visitors within 15,600 riders per year. If the fee schedule proposed in Section 8 of this Plan is implemented, then day riders will be charged $12.50 to enter the park. Using the annual park visitor range above, this would result in between $187,500 and $2,500,000 in annual revenues. This range does not include revenues gained from camping/cabin facility and horse amenity rentals, spectator/shared rider fees, special events held in the proposed arena, The Rock Bridge Canyon private lease, The Bear Creek Education Center lease and other park fees. In addition, certain assumptions can be made based on the carrying capacity of the trail system and current seasonal market trends based on average weekly users. Based on recommended carrying capacities of equestrian trails by the U.S. Forest Service, the carrying capacity for the park is determined to be one equestrian rider group per mile with a maximum of two equestrian rider groups per mile. Rider groups are estimated to contain 5 riders/horses per group. Therefore, the trail user capacity is assessed at a minimum of five horses per mile and a maximum of 10 horses per mile. The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail system is projected to be 40 miles long. Therefore, the trail system will comfortably accommodate between 200 to 400 horses at any given time. This capacity will be monitored and implemented by park staff to prevent overcrowding of the park and trail system. After identifying carrying capacity, seasonal trail riding trends can help project annual revenues based on horses entering the park per season. Table 9.1 illustrates seasonal riding trends multiplied against the projected day rider fee to estimate a range for annual revenues. According to this projection method, between 8,000 and 13,800 horses will enter the park a year and result in between $100,000 to $172,500 in revenues annually. In addition, a second calculation has been completed in the cash flow projection for potential users. This calculation estimates 15,600 riders per year and is demonstrated in estimated attendance by month in the cash flow projection. H114

115 Financial Plan RBC Equestrian Park In addition to daily rider fees, projections can be made about estimated annual camping revenues based on the known number of camping sites and the average cost of camping site, per type, per night based on data in Table 8.1 in Section 8. The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park currently proposes 25 rv campsites, 16 tent campsites, and 11 primitive campsites. According to Table 8.1, an average nightly rental fee for rv campsites is $25; an average rental fee for tent campsites is $18; and an average nightly rental fee for primitive campsites is $10. Using a modest projection of 3 nights per week of rental occupation a year, of each campsite, multiplied times the number of sites at the park and their associated costs yields the following estimated annual revenues for camping facilities alone: 25 Rv $25 x 156 (52x3) =$97, Tent x 156 (52x3) =$44,928 Season Winter Season Regular Season Peak Season Special Organized Events Total Number of Horses and Day Rider Fee Annual Revenues Time of Year November December January February March April May September October June July August At least 3 a year Estimated Horses on Trail Per Week Estimated Number of Weeks Per Year Estimated Number of Horses Per Season Projected Ridership Revenues Based on $12.50 per rider X Weekly Horses on Trail ,550 $10,625-31, ,300-5,500 $41,250-68, ,250-4,550 $40,625-56, ,200 $7,500-15,000 8,000-13,800 $100, ,500 Table 9.1-Seasonal Riding Trends Multiplied by Proposed Daily Riding Fee to Project Annual Revenues H115

116 RBC Equestrian park Financial Plan 11 Primitive x 156 (52x3) =$17,160 Total = $159, 588 Estimated Annual Revenue from Campsites Horse amenities such as barn stalls, paddocks, corrals, picketing, shavings, and hay are also nightly amenities that are frequently used by most overnight campers and range in day/nightly rental fees of between $5 and $25 dollars according to Table 8.1 in Section 8. Early estimates for the barn project 80 barn stalls. The average nightly rental fee for barn stalls in Table 8.1 is $15. If just half the stalls (35) were rented for half of the nights a year (183), for $15 a night, this would yield $96,075 a year in barn stall revenue alone. This does not include rental facilities for paddocks, corrals, or picketing. The annual revenue estimates of each of the separate amenities discussed above total between $355,663 and $428,163, annually. These estimates are modest and do not include annual permits, club permits, family permits, spectator/shared rider fees, special event entrance fees, cabin rentals, equine service fees, merchandising profits, camp store profits, and many more. Rock Bridge Canyon Special Events have the opportunity to create organized rides with enhanced activities and themed rides. The Town of Hodges hosted its first organized ride on July 7, 2012 with temperatures rising above 100 degrees. Each rider paid $25.00 fee for the ride with only 15 miles of trail open and no amenities available with the exception of the Bear Creek Education Center. The special event / organized ride had between 150 to 200 people in attendance. Marketing and advertising for the ride was only through social media sites. The revenues generated from the ride were $5, with associated expenditures of $2, Expenditures included food, identification bracelets, indirect employees, T-Shirts. Over $ in donated items were given away. The Rock Bridge Canyon Arena is to be located along U.S. Highway 172 at the front portion of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park and Campground. The arena is located in the event area containing 9.7 acres. The proposed arena is 150 by 270 linear feet or 40,500 sq. ft. The full program for the arena has not been finalized and will take place during the design development phase for construction. To guide future profitability and program development the Town of Hodges developed and hosted a rodeo event in June of Over 1400 people attended this event paying $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for kids with four and under entering free. The Town of Hodges gave the concessions revenues to the Hodges Fire Department and received 20% of the entry fee receipts The Rock Bridge Canyon private lease is the privately owned site containing Rock Bridge Canyon. This site contains three waterfalls and several natural bridges. The site has been a privately owned park for decades which generated revenue for the privately held owners. The site has now been H116

117 Financial Plan RBC Equestrian Park leased at no cost to the Town of Hodges for use with the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park. The Town of Hodges has undertaken modest maintenance costs related to the park grounds. The Bear Creek Education Center at Overton Farm is held by the Bear Creek Development Authority (BCDA). The Bear Creek Education Center offered leadership and success skills training through outdoor recreational activities. The education center has recently closed solely due to primary funding from local and regional education centers no longer having the budget to bring kids to the center. The Town of Hodges is interested in capitalizing on the existing structures contained on the site as part of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park. Potential revenues consist of overflow camping, rock climbing, repelling and teaching at Overton Farms. The equestrian trails pass through the education center and Overton Farms and a physical connection now exists. Interesting to note is that the Bear Creek Development Authority funded in conjunction with the Town of Hodges the initial study for Equestrian Riding as an economic driver for the region. Profit and Loss Pro-forma The Profit and Loss Pro-forma is depicted on the following page. The Project Assumptions consist of the following bullet point items in relation to the Cash Flow Projections. The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail park is estimated to produce annual sales revenues of $566, Estimated expenses total $427, This leaves a net estimated profit of $139, when the park is in full build out and operations. This amount estimates users at various percentages and participation based on the month of the year. The Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park is estimated to sell between 13,800 and 17,400 user permits per year. This estimate does not include spectators and individual users not participating in equestrian riding. These individuals should be assessed a fee as a user in the park. The Campground and Trail Head is estimated to generate $139, in camp site and RV site rentals. The total number of park users is determined by the carrying capacity of the equestrian trails system. The Town of Hodges and the business plan survey indicate a trail system of approximately 40 to 50 miles may be required. The business plan is developed around the 40 miles of trail estimate. There is to be an estimated average of 5 riders per group with an average of 1 group per mile. 40 x 5 = 200 and.25% of that = 50 are to be considered inactive users. An inactive user is an equestrian rider that is not in motion or actively riding the trail system. Including the inactive users gives a total count of 250 Equestrian Users. Out of the 250 Equestrian Users there is an estimated.25% of additional users on the trail system that are not riders = 62 non-riders. This places the total users in the park at 312. H117

118 RBC Equestrian park Financial Plan The total users in the park is used to determine a number for estimating campsites along with precedent examples and the proposed acreage size for the trail head. With 312 users and 5 persons per site that would indicate the need for 62 campsites. However, it is assumed that nonriders will not be camping within the Campground and Trailhead in order to encourage equestrian uses. This brings the campsites to the desired amount of 52 with room in the master plan for additional sites as needed. Source of Financial Options Various funding sources are available to assist in implementation of the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trails Park. The use of local funds coupled with bonding capital allows for a reduced time frame in implementation. However, the seeking of grant funds for various portions of the project extends the phasing and construction time with a reduction in costs to the Town of Hodges. Grants, Bonds and Partnerships are all available to the Town and will require creativity and resourcefulness to be successful. H118

119 Financial Plan RBC Equestrian Park Sample Monthly Cash Flow Projection Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Trail Park Estimated Users Per Month ,200 1,600 2,000 2,400 2,400 2,000 1,600 1, Miles of Equestrian Trails can carry 200 to 400 Riders 5% 10% 30% 40% 50% 60% 60% 50% 40% 40% 30% 20% 208 Users in Campground / 5 = 52 sites Pre-Startup January February March April May June July August September October November December TOTAL 1. CASH ON HAND [Beginning of month] - (28,088) (48,914) (45,592) (29,596) (576) 41,118 83, , , , , CASH RECEIPTS (a) Cash Sales - RV Sites 25 (sites) x $25.00 x 20(days) = $12, $ $ 1, $ 3, $ 5, $ 6, $ 7, $ 7, $ 6, $ 5, $ 5, $ 3, $ 2, $ 54, Tent Sites 16 (sites) x $18.00 x 20 (days) = $5, $ $ $ 1, $ 2, $ 2, $ 3, $ 3, $ 2, $ 2, $ 2, $ 1, $ 1, $ 25, Primitive Sites 11 (sites) x $10.00 x 20 = $2, $ $ $ $ $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ $ $ $ $ 9, Cabin Rentals 5 (Cabins) x $ x 20(days) = $11, $ $ 1, $ 3, $ 4, $ 5, $ 6, $ 6, $ 5, $ 4, $ 4, $ 3, $ 2, $ 50, Pavilion Rentals 1 x x 20 =$3, $ $ $ $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ $ $ 13, Horse Covered Stalls 1 x 80 (stalls) x 20 (days) x.50% = x $15.00 = $12, $ $ 1, $ 3, $ 4, $ 6, $ 7, $ 7, $ 6, $ 4, $ 4, $ 3, $ 2, $ 52, Horse Uncovered Stalls 4 (horses) x 52 (sites) = 208 (horses) x $8.00 x 20(days) x.50 = $16, $ $1, $4, $6, $8, $9, $9, $8, $6, $6, $4, $3, $72, Concessions / Park Store 1 x 208 (users) x 20(days) x.50% x $8.00 = $16, $ $ 1, $ 4, $ 6, $ 8, $ 9, $ 9, $ 8, $ 6, $ 6, $ 4, $ 3, $ 72, Equestrian Trail User Pass 1 x 200 (users) x 20(days) x = $50, $ 2, $ 5, $ 15, $ 20, $ 25, $ 30, $ 30, $ 25, $ 20, $ 20, $ 15, $ 10, $ 217, (b) Collections from Credit Accounts $ - (c) Loan or Other Cash Injection $ - 3. TOTAL CASH RECEIPTS [2a + 2b + 2c=3] - $ 6, $ 13, $ 39, $ 52, $ 65, $ 78, $ 78, $ 65, $ 52, $ 52, $ 39, $ 26, $ 566, TOTAL CASH AVAILABLE [Before cash out] (1 + 3) - $ 6, $ (15,064.00) $ (9,842.00) $ 6, $ 35, $ 77, $ 119, $ 148, $ 165, $ 180, $ 183, $ 174, CASH PAID OUT (a) Full Time Primary Staff (3 persons $5, each, full benefits consisting of park rangers) $ 15, $ 15, $ 15, $ 15, $ 15, $ 15, $ 15, $ 15, $ 15, $ 15, $ 15, $ 15, ,000 (a) Full Time Seconddary Staff (2 persons $2, each, full benefits, consisting of maintenance person and communications director) $ 5, $ 5, $ 5, $ 5, $ 5, $ 5, $ 5, $ 5, $ 5, $ 5, $ 5, $ 5, ,200 (b) Part Time Staff ($ per person at 80 hours per month) $ $ - $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ $ - $ - $ 2, $ 2, $ $ 1, ,600 (c) Covered Stall Maintenance $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ ,600 (d) Outside Services & Contracts $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, ,000 In House Repairs $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ ,000 (e) Supplies (Office and operating) $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ ,600 (f) Repairs and Maintenance $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ ,000 (g) Advertising $ $ $ $ 1, $ 1, $ 2, $ 2, $ 2, $ 1, $ $ $ ,500 (h) Vehicles & Equipment $ 3, $ 3, $ 3, $ 3, $ 3, $ 3, $ 3, $ 3, $ 3, $ 3, $ 3, $ 3, ,000 (i) () Accounting and Legal $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ ,400 (j) Rent - (k) Telephone & Additional Communications $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, ,000 (l) Utilities $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, ,000 (m) Insurance $ 2, $ 2, $ 2, $ 2, $ 2, $ 2, $ 2, $ 2, $ 2, $ 2, $ 2, $ 2, ,000 (n) Trash Removal $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, $ 1, ,000 Water & Sewer $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ ,600 Misc. Expense $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ ,000 (o) Interest Expense (20 Yr) - (p) Capital Amorization (20 Yr) - - (q) Miscellaneous [Unspecified] - (r) Subtotal - 34,600 33,850 35,750 36,100 36,100 36,450 35,650 35,500 36,900 36,550 34,650 35,400 $ 427, (s) Loan Principal Payment - (t) Capital Purchases [Specify] - (u) Other Start-up Costs - (v) Reserve and/or Escrow [Specify] - (w) Owner's Withdrawal - 6. TOTAL CASH PAID OUT [Total 5a thru 5w] - 34,600 33,850 35,750 36,100 36,100 36,450 35,650 35,500 36,900 36,550 34,650 35,400 $ 427, CASH POSITION [End of month] (4 minus 6) - (28,088) (48,914) (45,592) (29,596) (576) 41,118 83, , , , , ,044 H119

120

121 Appendix I

122 RBC Equestrian park Appendix Appendix 1 Parcel Maps, Property Boundaries, Legal Descriptions, and Easements of all Project Lands (insert behind) 160 Acre Property Deeds I122

123 Appendix RBC Equestrian Park I123

124 RBC Equestrian park Appendix 160 Acre Property Deeds I124