Press release [Nov. 22, 2004B]

Georgia House of Representatives

Public Information Office

Room 505, Legislative Office Building

Atlanta, Georgia 30334

11-2122-5280

404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800

November 22, 2004

For Immediate Release:

State Parks Could Become Large Draw for Horseback Riding

Lawmakers Want to Explore Issue of Creating More Riding Trails

Atlanta Speaker Terry Coleman (D-Eastman) and other House lawmakers are proposing further

study into the creation of riding trails in Georgia's state parks and charging horseback enthusiasts

a minimal fee to use them. The concept was discussed in a recent Atlanta Journal Constitution

article entitled "Trail riders could aid state parks." Coleman has asked Game Fish and Parks

Committee Chairman Jay Shaw (D-Lakeland) to plan a December committee meeting, at which

all interested parties could discuss the idea. Legislators believe the trails would increase

recreational opportunities in the state and that the fees generated would contribute to the

operational costs of the parks.

"Thousands of Georgians own horses and have indicated they want the opportunity to go to their local state parks and would gladly pay a fee to ride their horse," Coleman stated. "This project would be a great asset to the state of Georgia, providing an opportunity for families and individuals to get together and enjoy a fun outdoor activity that will encourage the public to develop a greater appreciation of our state's natural resources."

Only five of Georgia's 60 state parks and historic sites currently provide horse back riding trails. At those locations, horse riders pay around $14 a night to use trails and camp for the night. Because of recent revenue shortfalls, the Department of Natural Resources has been forced to consider closing as many as five state parks and historic sites and has already trimmed its budget by approximately 17 percent. Coleman and Shaw believe that the horse trail concept could renew interest in Georgia's state parks and increase the recreational and tourism options of the state's citizens.

"We are going to schedule a meeting as soon as possible to get some feedback and move this issue forward. It appears there is quite a market for places to ride and this would be a great opportunity to open our state parks up and generate some revenue so they can remain vibrant," stated Chairman Shaw.

Representative Robert Ray (D-Fort Valley), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and a long time supporter of Georgia's equine industry said, "The limited trails in our state parks have been very popular and if we had more of them it would bring in tourist from all over the country."

According to statistics from the University of Georgia's Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, in 2002, horses generated $248 million for the state's economy. In 2003, that number increased to $376 million, a 50 percent jump. These statistics were cited by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
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For further information please contact Speaker Coleman's office at 404-656-5020