HomeMy WebLinkAboutHorse waste issueMemo to: Lake Elmo Park Commission
From: Carol Kriegler, Project Assistant
Re: Horse trail use / waste issue at Sunfish Park
Date: November 15, 2007
Park Commissioners,
The issue of horse manure on trails at Sunfish Lake Park was raised at last month’s commission meeting. In response, staff was directed to explore the issue and any potential management
practices being utilized by other agencies.
I contacted Grant Scholan, Director of Trails and Waterways at the Minnesota DNR in an attempt to gain some general information related to the issue of horse manure on the trails. The
DNR manages hundreds of miles of horse trails throughout the state. Following is a summary:
The state does not conduct any horse manure pick-up on the trails or limit the level of trail use by horseback riders in an attempt to control manure.
Their position is that use of a multi-use trail, which includes horse back riding, assumes the possibility of encountering horse manure on the trail. It’s considered “part of the deal”
- - an inherent characteristic of the trail.
Their experience is that low to mid level trail use by horseback riders is not a problem and does not impact the level of trail use by hikers. High level use by horseback riders does
displace some hikers to other trails where horse back riding is prohibited.
At this point, staff feels that the level of trail use at Sunfish Lake Park by horseback riders is relatively low. It is recommended that staff and commissioners continue to be aware
of the potential impact of the increased horse trail use and continue to informally monitor trail use levels.