Cecil County Government. in partnership with. Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area

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Leslie Booth
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1 Cecil County Government in partnership with Nomination for Maryland Horse Park System 2014 February 14, 2014

2 Table of Contents 1. Detailed description of the property to be nominated 2. Describe the present ownership of the property 3. Existing master plan or planned improvements/expansions 4. Describe how the site is envisioned to meet one of the three venue types of the Maryland Horse Park System and how it could contribute to fulfilling its overall mission 5. List of existing annual event activity delineating local, State, regional/national events and attendance 6. Local public and/or private funding that may be available for the project 7. Zoning or other title issues that would limit or restrict use of all or some of the property being nominated for the project, as well as nominator s plan for resolving such issues including anticipated timeline 8. Describe any and all local approvals that are or may be pre-requisite to the use of the nominated property and/or local funding 9. Plans to garner public support for the project 10. Accessibility/traffic issues 11. Environmental or historic considerations relating to the property 12. Miles from interstate highway and commercial airport 13. Miles from critical mass of guest services including hotels, restaurants, retail establishments

3 1. Detailed description of the property. a. Total acreage. The (Fair Hill) is a unique 5,656 acre tract of land situated in the northeast corner of the State of Maryland and Cecil County. It is located to the east of the intersection of State Routes 273 and 213; it borders Pennsylvania to the north and Delaware to the east.

4 b. Survey or Site Map.

Center (original dupont weekend lodge) Three race barns with 120 stalls Bathhouse facilities Restroom facilities 10 (updated) camper hookups w/water Five livestock barns Two auxiliary storage barns

5 c. List of exiting assets. Fair Hill has over 75 miles of hiking, biking and riding trails and other infrastructure assets, including: One Visitors Center (DNR Office) One maintenance building Fair Hill Nature Educational Center (original dupont weekend lodge) Three race barns with 120 stalls Bathhouse facilities Restroom facilities 10 (updated) camper hookups w/water Five livestock barns Two auxiliary storage barns One detention barn, 24 stalls Fair Hill Stables (original barns built by William DuPont, Jr.), 20 stalls One grandstand area, 300+ seating One rodeo / demolition derby arena, 500+ seating One turf and steeplechase track, 10,000+ seating Two crumb rubber rings (Foxcatcher) One rebound arena for carriage driving Four cross-country courses One stadium-jumping ring One warm-up ring One Tea Barn (multi-use indoor facility w/ serving counter) 125 seating One pari-mutuel building, 70+/- windows Ed Walls Activity Building (ac/ kitchen facilities) 350 seating One Bank Barn (Fair Hill Training Center Photos)

6 d. Photos. Fair Hill Nature & Environmental Center

7 e. Existing infrastructure. Fair Hill infrastructure includes the turf course, where steeplechase, timber course and flat races are held Memorial Day weekend with pari-mutuel wagering. A pavilion is situated near the historic, rustic covered bridge where visitors / trail riders frequently stop for picnic lunches. The fairgrounds host the annual Cecil County Fair where some 80,000 visitors attend the nine day event. Also located at the fairgrounds is the Edward Walls Activity Hall, with a capacity of 350 people. It includes kitchen and restroom facilities, and is available to rent for functions which further the mission of the Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Park Service or the local agricultural community. The Tea Barn, located at the west end of Fair Hill Drive, is a popular venue for weddings and birthday parties. It has a capacity of 125 people. Fair Hill is open dawn to dusk. The Foxcatcher Farm Covered Bridge over Big Elk Creek, received the State s Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Award in The covered bridge at Fair Hill is one of only two covered bridges in Cecil County. Disable parking is available, as well as a disabled accessible fishing pier. A blazed trail extends from each parking lot and joins the park s extensive trail system (approximately 80 miles). The multi-use trails are open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians alike. Guided trail rides, hay rides and stabling are available from the Fair Hill Stables. A color trail map can be obtained at the park office. The Fair Hill Nature and Environmental Center is another facility located on the property. The Nature Center staff conducts educational nature tours for students and provides summer day camps for school age children. The facility is operated by the non-profit Fair Hill Environmental Foundation, Inc. Fair Hill offers two youth group primitive camping areas.

8 Also offered at Fair Hill are Equestrian Camping Facilities that include ten camp pads with electric and water hook-ups and 119 stalls for stabling horses. Equestrian camping facilities are available to groups and individuals by reservation only. Fair Hill is also the location of the annual Colonial Highland Gathering (Scottish Games), held on the third Saturday of May each year. Hear the March of the Massed Pipes and Drums, shop in the Scottish Marketplace, watch traditional Scottish events and the Sheepdog trials. Enjoy Fair Hill International s Festival in the Country, an international equestion competition, held in October each year. Watch the CCI***, Endurance and Driving Equestrian events, along with visiting the Country Shops, local food vendors and the Competitive Dog Trials. Designated areas of the park are open to Raccoon Hunting from October 15, 2013 through March 15, Raccoon hunting is allowed by permit only. The is conducting monthly trail work parties for colunteers interested in assisting park staff with maintaining trails. The work parties are held the second Saturday of each month (April October), meeting a 9 a.m. at the Fair Hill NRMA Maintenance Complex located on Tawes Drive. Fair Hill offers an accessible race track restroom, office, Walls Activity Hall, fairgrounds, and an accessible fishing pier. Fair Hill offers five parking lots with Honor Box system. Visitors are required to purchase an honor system pass daily ($3 Maryland residents; $5 out-of-state visitors) to help offset maintenance and operational costs. A park pass can be obtained from an Honor Box, located in each of the five designated parking lots. An annual pass ($75 Maryland residents; $100 out-of-state visitors) can be obtained from the park office. The annual pass may be displayed on the dashboards of all vehicles registered to the same household.

provides for significant outdoor activities, trails,

9 f. Potential for expansion. Fair Hill has considerable improvements throughout its over 5,600 acres. It is well established in the equine industry and provides for significant outdoor activities, trails, barns, stalls, etc. With over 5,600 acres now state-owned, existing land will meet needs for an Equestrian Field Event Venue at Fair Hill.

10 2. Present Ownership. The is owned by State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

11 3. Existing or Planned Improvements/Expansions. Fair Hill is currently improved property, more fully detailed in Section 1.C above. There are no known planned improvements or expansions identified at this time.

4. Established Equine-related activities.

Fair Hill is, and has been for years, host for annual events including, but not limited to: a) Fair Hill International (FHI).

every Saturday of Memorial Day weekend c) FHI Recognized Horse Trails d) Fair Hill Point to Point e) Spring Forward Jumper Show f)

12 4. Established Equine-related activities. The not only meets, but exceeds the requirements for an Equestrian Field Event Venue proposed for the Maryland Horse Park System. Fair Hill is, and has been for years, host for annual events including, but not limited to: a) Fair Hill International (FHI). This event is a world class equestrian competition held every October b) Fair Hill Steeplechase races with pari-mutuel betting held every Saturday of Memorial Day weekend c) FHI Recognized Horse Trails d) Fair Hill Point to Point e) Spring Forward Jumper Show f) Foxcatcher Endurance g) Cecil County Breeders Fair h) Several driving events, including the Elk Creek Combined Driving Event i) Pony Club Camps j) Eventing Rally k) Numerous 4-H events (equine related) l) Trail rides m) Cecil County Fair

Center world famous large animal hospital Thoroughbred Racing Association Fair Hill Training Center National Steeplechase Association, Inc.

13 5. Local, State, and Regional Attendance. Fair Hill has long term relationships with: Maryland Department of Agriculture Maryland Department of Natural Resources University of PA, New Bolton Center world famous large animal hospital Thoroughbred Racing Association Fair Hill Training Center National Steeplechase Association, Inc. American Driving Association American Endurance Ride Conference U.S. Eventing Association U.S. Equestrian Federation, Inc. U. S. Equestrian Team Foundation, Inc. Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) Fair Hill Equine Veterinary Clinic Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center

14 6. Funding. Cecil County would need to explore further with the State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources the funding options for this project. Event funding from private investment is currently quite robust, enhancing the state s investment.

15 7. Zoning or title issues limitations. Due to State ownership of the property, there are no zoning or title issues that would limit or restrict the use of the Fair Hill property being part of the Maryland Horse Park System.

16 8. Describe any local approvals that may be pre-requisite to the use of the nominated property and/or local funding. As State owned property, the Department of Natural Resources is the filter for use and funding sources of this site.

17 9. Letters of support.

21 10. Accessibility / Traffic Issues. Fair Hill is less than ten miles north of two full interchanges with I-95. Most of the equestrian activities currently take place in a relatively small portion of the FHNRMA, located in the southeast quadrant of the intersection of SR 213 and SR 273. The attendance of over 14,000 people at the Fair Hill Races held each Memorial Day weekend and over 15,000 at The Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International weekend each October, is evidence of the proposed property s accessibility and ability to handle the anticipated traffic volume. Also, the nine days of the annual Cecil County Fair every July, attract a total of 85,000+, with daily horse shows, and weekend day crowds of 20,000+.

22 11. Environmental or historic considerations. To the best of our knowledge, there are no environmental or historic considerations that would preclude the proposed site from being an Equestrian Field Event Venue.

two full interchanges to I-95 each, within 10 miles.

23 12. Miles from interstate highway and commercial airport. Fair Hill has an outstanding location. It is in the center of the Mid-Atlantic horse country, conveniently located on I-95 between Baltimore and Philadelphia and has two full interchanges to I-95 each, within 10 miles. Fair Hill to: Baltimore-Washington International Airport Philadelphia International Airport *Fair Hill to New Castle County Airport, DE *New commercial aviation service miles / 1:15 hours miles / 54 minutes miles / 31 minutes

offer a wide variety that supports this area.

Bed and Breakfast, some B&Bs also offer accommodations for horse(s) as

24 13. Miles from guest services. Guest services including hotels, restaurants, and retail establishments offer a wide variety that supports this area. Visitors can come by boat to one of our many marinas, stay in a local Bed and Breakfast, some B&Bs also offer accommodations for horse(s) as well. Shopping is available in several areas of the county in proximity to Fair Hill: North East, Elkton, Perryville, and Chesapeake City.

25 Cecil County Accommodations # of Hotel Name - Elkton, MD Rooms Miles Minutes Best Wastern Comfort Inn & Suites Days Inn Elkton Lodge Hampton Inn Knight's Inn La Quinta Motel Sutton Inn Hotel Name - North East, MD Best Western Comfort Inn & Suites Holiday Inn Express Sandy Cove Hotel Name - Perryville, MD Days Inn Perryville Motel Bed & Breakfasts- Cecil County B&B at Rolling Hills Ranch Blue Max Inn Doc Smithers Guest House Elk Forge Fairwinds Farm & Stables Inn at the Canal North Bay B&B Old Wharf Cottage Ship Watch Inn Sinking Springs Total 1226

26 Cecil County Restaurants Cecilton Pizza House Family Restaurant Cecilton Pizzeria Charlestown Beachcomber Restaurant Market Street Café River Shack at the Wellwood Wellwood Yacht Club Restaurant Chesapeake City Bayard House Bohemia Café & Bakery Chesapeake Inn & Marina Jo Jo's Super Dogs Schaefer's Restaurant and Canal Bar Southside Bar & Grill Tap Room Conowingo StoneHouse Restaurant Earleville Annie's Sunset Café Archway Inn Beach Grill Crystal Beach Market Elkton Baker's Restaurant Chili's Cracker Barrel Country Pride Restaurant DaddyO's Elkton Diner Golden Corral Hurricane Grill & Wings Jo Jo's Super Dogs Lyon Pharmacy Minihanes Irish Pub/ House Lodge Nino's Pizza Olive Garden Pat's Family Restaurant Pizza Hut Plaza Tapatia Ruby Tuesday San Lin East Triton Bar & Grill Waffle House Fair Hill Fair Hill Inn Hill Top Inn Wesley's Fredericktown Harbor Café & Pizzeria North East Blue Heron Grille Captain Chris' Crab Shack Denny's Nauti Goose Salon North East Chuckwagon Paradise Grill Pickled Herring Pub Port House Grill Steak & Main Pier One UnWined The Black Pearl Surf & Turf Grill Waffle House Woody's Crab House Perryville Celebrity Bar & Grille Denny's Johnny's Sushi House Karlee's Subworks Port Deposit Backfin Blues D'Lorenzo's Pizza & Grill Joe's Grog House Old South Smoke House Prost German Restaurant Union Hotel & Colonial Restaurant Rising Sun Buck's Spready Oak Country Café Sue's Restaurant Townhouse Restaurant The Washington House Uncle Willy's Warwick Full Moon Saloon

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