The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders cut the ribbon today on a major renovation and expansion at the Watchung Stables, the County’s public horse riding facility, that included a new indoor riding ring to enable year-round use.
“The dream of year-round riding at the Watchung Stables has come true and will help spur the growth and accessibility to horse riding at our stables while attracting additional revenues to support this worthwhile program,” said the Freeholder Chairman.
The main features of the new project are:
· Construction of an energy-efficient indoor ring that requires no heating in winter;
· Renovation/construction of three outdoor riding rings and six paddocks;
· New surfaces, fencing, and landscaping throughout the facility;
· Installation of new barn doors to save energy and prevent heat loss in winter.
The Freeholder Board awarded a $2.3 million contract last September to JC Landscape Construction & Management Co., Inc. of Pequannock to build the improvements.
The Watchung Stables are located in the Watchung Reservation, on Summit Lane in Mountainside. The stables’ Watchung Mounted Troops youth program currently serves approximately 700 children yearly, many of whom volunteer at the stables and perform related community service projects when they are not riding.
The Watchung Stables also offers classes and programs for adults and casual riders, activities for non-riders, and boarding services for privately owned horses.
For more info: http://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/watchung-stable/
Three volunteer groups raise funds for equipment and help staff activities and programs at the stable: Watchung Stables Auxiliary, Watchung Jr. Hunt Club, and Watchung Riding and Driving Club.
The Auxiliary also includes a subcommittee called School Horses of Watchung Retirement Program, which arranges new homes for horses that are too old for stables work.
Photo Caption: (left to right) Union County Parks Director Ron Zuber, Watchung Stables Manager Rachel Baris Bechtold, Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, and County Manager Al Faella cut the ribbon on the new indoor arena at the Watchung Stables. Photo by Jim Lowney (County of Union)