Three of us rode out to watch the Grand Opening and I should emphasize "watch" because we were down below the embankment and couldn't go up to join because of locked gates. But our presence was recognized as one of the dignitaries said he was happy to see several groups represented, including cyclists and "esquarians"! Bob and Marion and I looked around to try to spot one of those "square" something or others. Never caught a glimpse so we decided that maybe he meant the equestrians.
We checked out the staging area and the trail, here's our analysis:
The staging area is "passable" but needs some work to become safe.
1. We would like to see a degree of separation between the cars parked for the baseball games and our horses/trailers. As it stands, if you park your trailer on the side of the asphalt and tie two horses on the canal side and another on the baseball side, you had better have someone available to watch your horse and make sure a passing car or wandering child doesn't come up on your horse.
2. We would like signs posted stating that this is a staging area for equestrians.
3. We would like the turnaround end of the parking lot to have red curbs to indicate no parking and have it enforced. I drove by at 5:30 p.m. the other night and even though there weren't many cars in the parking lot, two vehicles still parked in the turnaround. If a horse trailer came in at that time, they would be forced to back up several hundred feet to get out.
4. In addition to the painted curbs, we would like to have a sign stating that vehicles will be towed if parked in that area.
5. The bike/ped bridge is unacceptable. It is too close to Stockdale Hwy and has a post in the middle at both ends to stop vehicles. (Some will say that this is no big deal, and it won't be a big deal until some goofball horse gets itself and a rider hurt. A friend of mine who has won many awards for her expertise in riding , said she would not risk her animal even though her animal is well trained and reliable and they have been through many difficult situations. Her opinion was "why put your animal in a situation that you know can be dangerous.)
6. When coming back from the river trail, we have to cross the bike path, but a tree leans out and you can only see about 30 feet. Either the tree needs to be cut back to allow us to see oncoming bikes (and them see us), or a sign needs to be posted warning cylists that there is a horse crossing coming up. I prefer cutting the tree back.
What we liked:
1. Since we are right next to the baseball diamonds, there are bathrooms!!!!!!!!!!
Although the underpass under Stockdale is a little too close to the water line for me, it is dry now and probably will stay dry unless there is a LOT of water. (won't be soon)
2. The underpass under Allen is super. It's up high above a possible water line and there is plenty of head clearance. It's also nice and open so your horses should feel secure.
3. We rode out on the dirt road for a ways west of Allen. It's a good road, but not as interesting as finding a path (or making one) out in the grassy area. Be careful in the grassy area, we found a lot of short lengths of barbed wire and occasional trash with glass and plastic. Not really bad, just be cautious.
Altogether, we had a great ride once we got away from the staging area. Hopefully, the water company or the city will figure out a way for us to get safely on the trail. Marion, thank you for the pictures, I'll post them when I get back from vacation.
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The Aera Park staging area is still a work in progress. There will be equestrian access at the opposite end from the bridge as soon as additional fencing is installed to keep people out of the canals. The KC Water Agency just met last week to discuss this access and fencing so it will take some time for it to get installed. This access will be adjacent to the double gate so there will be no need for horses to go across the bridge. However I felt comfortable riding my Arabian horse across the bridge even with its proximity to Stockdale and the posts at either end of the bridge. Signage will be placed on the fence indicating horse trailer parking only and the turn around will have no parking signs placed in it. I think those who tie their horse on the park side of their trailer will always need to be aware of vehicles and people since there will often be kids playing baseball. Carolyn Belli asked that the city stripe the length of the trailer parking area to allow for some separation but it won't be much more that a couple of feet off the edge of the asphalt. Keep up the good work with this blog as it is a great way to disemminate information.
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