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September 13th, 2005, 11:00 AM
Fairhill NRMA in northeastern Maryland may be a little outside the normal range of most members of the club but the folks up there have asked for our help in getting the word out about a potential commercial horse park development that's threatening this amazing riding and racing destination. To get an idea of the amount of riding at Fairhill the annual Fairhill Classic race is a single 25 mile loop (and it doesn't cover all of the trails in the park).
Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area Concerned Citizens and Users
The Maryland Stadium Authority, and our local politicians, are proposing Fair Hill NRMA as the location for a commercial Horse Park.
Act NOW & vote to keep Fair Hill NRMA as it is today!
Our County Commissioners and the Office of Economic Development, at the urging of the Horse Industry, have forwarded Fair Hill NRMA as a candidate for a future Maryland Horse Park. If accepted, this proposal will dedicate 800 acres or more to a commercial equestrian center. This will include the Fairgrounds area and the entire Saw Mill Field area (currently open grassland and woods). Fair Hill is a 5600 Acre Natural Resource Management Area, purchased by the state from the Open Space Fund. The Horse Park will be administered by the Maryland Stadium Authority.
In 1997, hundreds of local citizens expressed a desire to ensure that future generations could enjoy the natural, cultural and recreational resources at Fair Hill for many years to come, in the creation of the Fair Hill Land Unit Plan. This plan states that there should be no commercial development of Fair Hill outside the existing fairgrounds area, that it’s rural, unimproved nature should be preserved, and that it should be retained for future generations to enjoy it as we all do today. This is in stark contrast to the image of a mega-stadium, loudspeakers, food stands, and the trash & noise that 1100 RVs and campers would undoubtedly bring.
The exact details of the project are not yet known, however the Maryland Stadium Authority details some requirements in its Request for Proposals, which include the following: One enclosed 5000 seat arena, An outdoor amphitheater, 6 to 12 outdoor show rings, 800 to 1200 stalls, Campground area with RV hookups, Restaurant, Museum, Offices. In support of this, there is talk of a new exit off I-95 at Rte 213.
The proposal submitted by Cecil County offers up an immediate 800 acres, consisting of the Fairgrounds area and the whole of the Saw Mill Field area (an area that is currently open grassland and woodland, with many hiking trails). The proposal also claims that the project has public support, although there has been no public participation in this process so far.
However on Monday September 19th at 7pm there will be an opportunity for public comment at the Cecil Community College (See next page for details).
Approval of this proposal would mean increased traffic, unknown economic and tax consequences for Country residents, an impact on water, sewer, and other infrastructure needed, ass a spur to other development nearby. The Maryland State officials have not yet conducted feasibility studies or analysis on issues, but will nevertheless make their final decision very soon despite a lack of data!
What can you do?
Check out these websites: www.savefairhill.com and www.savececil.org.
Come to the meeting on the 19th September – see next page.
Come to the support rally on the 17th – see next page
Write to / call as many of the contacts on the reverse of this page.
Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area Concerned Citizens and Users
The Maryland Stadium Authority, and our local politicians, are proposing Fair Hill NRMA as the location for a commercial Horse Park.
Act NOW & vote to keep Fair Hill NRMA as it is today!
Our County Commissioners and the Office of Economic Development, at the urging of the Horse Industry, have forwarded Fair Hill NRMA as a candidate for a future Maryland Horse Park. If accepted, this proposal will dedicate 800 acres or more to a commercial equestrian center. This will include the Fairgrounds area and the entire Saw Mill Field area (currently open grassland and woods). Fair Hill is a 5600 Acre Natural Resource Management Area, purchased by the state from the Open Space Fund. The Horse Park will be administered by the Maryland Stadium Authority.
In 1997, hundreds of local citizens expressed a desire to ensure that future generations could enjoy the natural, cultural and recreational resources at Fair Hill for many years to come, in the creation of the Fair Hill Land Unit Plan. This plan states that there should be no commercial development of Fair Hill outside the existing fairgrounds area, that it’s rural, unimproved nature should be preserved, and that it should be retained for future generations to enjoy it as we all do today. This is in stark contrast to the image of a mega-stadium, loudspeakers, food stands, and the trash & noise that 1100 RVs and campers would undoubtedly bring.
The exact details of the project are not yet known, however the Maryland Stadium Authority details some requirements in its Request for Proposals, which include the following: One enclosed 5000 seat arena, An outdoor amphitheater, 6 to 12 outdoor show rings, 800 to 1200 stalls, Campground area with RV hookups, Restaurant, Museum, Offices. In support of this, there is talk of a new exit off I-95 at Rte 213.
The proposal submitted by Cecil County offers up an immediate 800 acres, consisting of the Fairgrounds area and the whole of the Saw Mill Field area (an area that is currently open grassland and woodland, with many hiking trails). The proposal also claims that the project has public support, although there has been no public participation in this process so far.
However on Monday September 19th at 7pm there will be an opportunity for public comment at the Cecil Community College (See next page for details).
Approval of this proposal would mean increased traffic, unknown economic and tax consequences for Country residents, an impact on water, sewer, and other infrastructure needed, ass a spur to other development nearby. The Maryland State officials have not yet conducted feasibility studies or analysis on issues, but will nevertheless make their final decision very soon despite a lack of data!
What can you do?
Check out these websites: www.savefairhill.com and www.savececil.org.
Come to the meeting on the 19th September – see next page.
Come to the support rally on the 17th – see next page
Write to / call as many of the contacts on the reverse of this page.