Important note: The following recommendation was approved by the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 6, 2016:

DISTRICT 3 (Supervisor Don Horsley) FYs 2016-17 Measure A Request Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich County Parks Improvements to the arena located in Wunderlich County Park $30,000 Services Agreement  

This is a request to authorize an agreement with the Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich County Parks (“Friends”) for the term September 6, 2016 through June 30, 2017 in an amount not to exceed $30,000 to provide improvements to the arena located in Wunderlich County Park. The improvements to the 20,000 square foot arena will include a new drainage swell to collect and disperse water, a new mesh drainage system, and a silica sand and textile additive that will hold water while creating a softer surface for the horses. The proposed agreement will be administered and managed by the County Parks Department.

The Friends is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the local environmental and historical legacies of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks, located in Woodside, California. The Friends are a combination of volunteers, donors, paid staff, and board members all collaborating with County Parks to preserve and protect these special resources.  

Representatives of the Friends, along with avid equestrians approached San Mateo County Parks Department in April 2016 with a proposal to improve the arena located in Wunderlich County Park. In 2014, San Mateo County Parks improved the horse riding arena by  improving the drainage, replacing the fence and adding 1600 tons of base rock covered with sand. Despite the County’s efforts in 2014 and regular maintenance, the arena has become hard packed and requires water to keep the dust down. The arena as it currently exists is less than ideal for use by the community and uses more water than ideal, particulary in the drought.

The Friends are proposing to improve the footing in the arena, while reducing the water consumption. The upgrade to the 20,000 square foot arena will include a new drainage swell to collect and disperse water, a new mesh drainage system, and a silica sand and textile additive that will hold water while creating a softer surface for the horses. The product is non- toxic, comprised of a sand, fiber and felt blend. While a standard arena can consume 3,000 gallons of water a day, this improved surface will only utilize up to 250 gallons of water a day and be better footing for the horses. Similar arena footing is found at Westwind Stable arena in Palo Alto, as an example.  

The arena will continue to be open to the public, through management by Chaparral, current concessionaire under contract with San Mateo County Parks. The upgrade will increase the use of the arena and the desirability for equestrians to board at Folger Stable.

The total cost for the arena upgrade is approximately $70,000. The Friends have a verbal award of a $30,000 grant from the Woodside Horse Owners Association (WHOA) as well as $5,000 in pledges from individuals. The Friends are seeking $30,000 from the County in Measure A funds to contribute to the project in Wunderlich County Park.

Total Measure A Request: $30,000   Important note: This is a copy of the official report -- item 12 on the Board's agenda.