Woodstock park plan approved

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by Kristen Milton
Staff Writer

The Montgomery County Planning Board unanimously approved a facility plan for Woodstock Equestrian Park Thursday as discussion continued on possible amendments to the park's master plan.

Woodstock Equestrian Park is under development on both sides of Route 28, just north of Beallsville. In honor of donating families, the east side of the facility will be known as the Dr. William Rickman Equestrian Center and the west as Moritz Greenberg Equestrian Center.

The facilities plan approved Thursday includes an estimated $437,797 of work as the first phase of construction at the park. Donations, grants and volunteer labor will reduce the county's cost, a staff memo noted.

Monumental park entrances with gravel parking lots are planned for both sides of Route 28. Construction has already begun on the east side entrance and is expected to be completed in coming weeks. The west entrance will be completed by the park's opening, now delayed to the fall.

Other Phase I improvements include 16 miles of natural surface trails, fencing, surveys and signage.

There were five speakers at Thursday's public hearing on master plan amendments. Changes include purchasing 78 acres adjacent to the 765-acre site, allowing flexibility in the location of planned facilities and allowing vehicles to enter the park through an entrance on Wasche Road. A work session and vote on the amendments is planned for Thursday. The master plan for Woodstock was approved by the board in January 2002.

Planning staff recommended approving all three amendments. According to minutes from a Feb. 3 community meeting, Bill Gries, a land acquisition specialist for the Planning Board, said the cost of the additional 78 acres would be made up by dividing the lots and selling three buildable residential lots along Route 28. About 50 acres would be retained to be added to the park. Gries declined to name the price of the 78 acres because no contract has been finalized.

A March 8 letter from Lydia McClain, president of Friends of Woodstock Equestrian Park, supported the purchase of the additional property. The group, formed in October, now has more than 50 members.

Therapeutic Riding
program planned

The Montgomery County Planning Board has selected Great and Small to operate the Therapeutic Riding Center at the 100-acre Rickman Farm Horse Park, now under development at 17320 Bucklodge Road in Beallsville. Therapeutic riding programs provide physical, intellectual, emotional and recreational benefits for people with disabilities.

Sarah Phelps, president of Great and Small, will move on site to run the operation beginning April 1 and care for the horses around the clock.

William Rickman Sr. donated the farm to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in 1997 for use as a therapeutic riding center to serve physically and mentally challenged children. Those interested in volunteering or supporting the program may call Sarah Phelps at 202-294-3711.

Four more upcounty homes

Planning Board members said Thursday they have no objection to pre-preliminary plans showing four homes on the Hancock/Anderson Property -- approximately two acres at the end of Jonesville Court near Poolesville. The homes would have private wells and community sewer.

The developer, Chester Anderson, may now submit an application for further review.

Upcoming

On Thursday the Montgomery County Planning Board will discuss several upcounty projects. The day will start with a work session on the draft amendments to the Woodstock Equestrian Park Master Plan. Later the board will discuss a special exception request for a car/truck/trailer rental business at 19705 Waters Road in Germantown. Staff recommends denial. Finally there will be a pre-preliminary plan review for a house proposed for six acres in Goshen. The property is located on the east side of Rocky Creek Drive about 250 feet north of Rocky Road.