"Here" being our very own Woodstock Equestrian Park. The land now belonging to the Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission was previously owned by our first president. President Washington used the land to raise crops and hunt fox.

Due to an extraordinary cooperative effort between generous local citizens, and the Park and Planning Commission, this large and beautiful tract of land will remain much as it was centuries ago.

It began with two significant tracts of land being donated specifically for an equestrian park. Mr. Hermen Greenberg donated 418 acres on the west side of 28, and Mr. William Rickman donated 118 acres on the East side of the road. Mr. Rickman made available an additional 236 acres, which MNCPPC purchased.

MNCPPC began soliciting input from local horse people, through a series of public meetings. These meetings were well attended, and input was enthusiastic on the part of local horse people. Our cooperative dream began to take shape.

A planning committee was formed to draw up a master plan. In addition to park personnel, Mr. Greenberg, and Mr. Rickman, several prominent local horsemen donated their expertise to help make the master plan a qualified and viable horseman’s dream. The committee included trail riders, endurance riders, 3 day event riders, the Masters of Potomac Hunt, polo players, and combined driving people. All the different equestrian sports were represented by people at the top of their game. People that had represented our country in various international competitions.

The fruits of their labor, the master plan, was published in 2002. That plan is now in the process of being implemented. Another volunteer organization, the Friends of Woodstock Park, has undertaken the task of organizing people to help. Several work parties have taken place, attended by representatives of local organizations such as the Potomac Hunt, Seneca Valley Pony club, and Trail Riders of Today (TROT). The bridge in the accompanying photo was completed by volunteers.

Hermen Greenberg’s vision of an Olympic class equestrian center is under way, a testament to the dedication of local landowners, horse people, and an innovative, forward thinking park commission. President Washington would be thrilled to see his old land still in crops, with Potomac’s award winning pack of foxhounds coursing over the fallow fields.

If you would like to help, call The Montgomery Parks Foundation, parent organization of the Friends of Woodstock Park. They can be reached at 301.767.0002. You can find out more about them at http://www.montgomeryparksfnd.org/