Members of the Jefferson Equestrian Association are one step closer to realizing their vision of a horse park for everyone – not just equine enthusiasts.

“We have, as a community, 80 acres of beautiful land to steward that belongs to all of us,” said Kim McGuire, a member of the association's board and project manager for the horse park, located at 1172 Cape George Road, just west of Port Townsend.

The property is on track to become Washington's largest equestrian park west of Cle Elum, where the 112-acre Washington State Horse Park is located.

After a six-year process, Jefferson County's Department of Community Development issued the association a conditional-use permit in December 2015, allowing it to move ahead with site development.

“That was the big hurdle for us,” McGuire said, noting that county planners were a big help. “By simplifying and being more direct in the proposed layout of the park, we were able to save a lot of money on permitting. That's part of the reason it took so long – we had to revamp our plan midway through. Now, we can start building the infrastructure to operate it as a park.”

McGuire and her fellow equestrians are hosting a celebration on Saturday, Aug. 27 at the park, complete with a ribbon cutting, refreshments, and an opportunity to tour the site, walk its trails and learn more about plans for the future.

With volunteer help from groups such as the Backcountry Horsemen, a multiple-use trail system is largely developed and open for use. The association has also developed a timber harvest plan with help from a master forester; proceeds from the harvest would go to the county.

Eventually, the property would feature a couple of 200-square-foot arenas and an 80-by-200-foot indoor arena for a variety of equestrian competitions, as well as space for other groups, such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Pony Club, and high school and middle school mountain biking teams.

“We're very excited to partner with other groups in the community,” McGuire said. “This really is a horse park for everyone.”

Over the next year, the association plans to install a gate at the park's entrance, construct a gravel parking lot, expand the trail system and construct a round pen, 60 feet in diameter, for horse-related events as well as dog agility events.

Accomplishing those goals requires raising money and attracting volunteers, McGuire said. Membership costs $25 for families and individuals, and $35 for businesses, she said.

As for fundraisers, “We'll probably start off with some auctions,” McGuire said. “We've always done really well with those. And next year we'll be able to start doing equestrian competitions at the park to raise funds, such as trail riding. There's a big interest in that.”

Another goal is to connect the park's trail system with the Larry Scott Trail by connecting the Larry Scott trailhead at Crutcher Road to the park's entrance across from Loftus Road on Cape George Road.

“We're going to have to have that connection route surveyed, and that could cost a bit of money,” McGuire said.

The investment of time, labor and donated money will all be worth it, McGuire said, whether for the many groups that stand to benefit or for the economy.

“The economic impact horse parks have on their surrounding areas has always been quite good,” said McGuire, who expects locals to start spin-off businesses, such as horse-boarding services. “You'll end up with hundreds of competitors sometimes, depending on the type of competition, and all those people bring dollars to spend locally.”