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YourHub.com \\ Jupiter Farms \\ Stories \\ Outdoor Sports, Activities \\ Other

Equestrians want preservation of Luckey Buck Ranch

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Contributed by: Beverly Bean on 4/10/2007

Imagine riding your horse with your family, on trails that cowboys and cattle ranchers rode in years past and being able to enjoy these from your home, on a day-to-day basis. Imagine taking your children and grand-children on a Saturday morning trail ride, among shade trees, and winding paths, then returning home on horseback.This rare opportunity could become a reality for four equestrian communities that border portions of the Loxahatchee Slough, formally known as the Luckey Buck Ranch. After 25 years of horse and cattle ranching history by the Luckey family, it was purchased by the County with taxpayer money in 1996.

Community Connection, Inc., a local not-for-profit charitable organization, compiled a 19 page Letter of Request for continued equestrian use in the historic cowboy-riding, cattle-working portion of the Loxahatchee Slough. The request specifically targets Sections 23 & 24, which would provide improved connectivity, and a "back-woods" experience while preserving the historic equestrian use. Four equestrian communities including Jupiter Farms, Palm Beach Country Estates, Wind in the Pines and Caloosa border the Loxahatchee Slough.

Additional benefits include economic preservation of the local equestrian industry, lifestyle diversity in Palm Beach County and an improved quality of life for bordering equestrian residents, which are the predominant user group of the area. For over a decade, through public perception and posted County signs, tax paying residents believed equestrian use of the trails was preserved. They continued riding in the Loxahatchee Slough because they thought they were welcome.

In 2005 Caloosa residents were told by the Wildland Task Force, under the direction of Environmental Resource Management (ERM), that equestrians could no longer use the trails because Natural Area Ordinance 94-13 prohibits "domestic animals and pets". Residents were not informed that horseback riding is supported under Sec. 13(c) of the same Ordinance by special permit. Recently ERM directed the Task Force to ticket equestrians $ 250.00 each for using the existing trails. Large "NO HORSE" signs started going up at the entrance of the trails equestrians have enjoyed for generations.

After the Letter of Request and the County receiving over 50 emails in several days, the County Administrator issued a "stop" on the putting up of any more signs until April 30, 2007, allowing time for the issue to be resolved. A "stop" on the $ 250.00 ticketing was also issued, however it is assumed that equestrians would not use the trails.

The Letter of Request was written to Richard Walesky of ERM who had asked for a short and long term Mission Statement in a Trail Review meeting with community and equestrian leaders. He also requested a trail selection that would be agreeable to the four bordering communities, have one beginning, one end and would utilize upland areas, which he described as having Palmettos and Pines. He stated that the length did not matter. The difficulty was that the four communities were located at four different directions from the Luckey Tract. The 3 part trail system was reviewed by community contacts and the Lieutenant of Unit 83 COP Mounted Patrol in Jupiter Farms, and proposed to the County.

The "Trail Review" meeting was Oct. 4, 2005. Since that time, extensive research was conducted by local volunteers, in-between working for a living, raising families, and caring for the elderly. After much work and dedication, the Letter of Request was completed March 5, 2007 and presented by Community Connection to Mr. Walesky with copies to Congressman Tim Mahoney, Congressman Ron Klein, State Senator Jeff Atwater, Palm Beach County Commissioners, Florida Metropolitan Planning Organization, 1000 Friends of Florida, Mr. & Mrs. Gary Luckey and the community contacts.

Congressman Tim Mahoney sent a letter of Support to include in the Request stating "I believe that it offers a rare opportunity to use a portion of land purchased with taxpayer's money to protect citizen's investments in their homes, provide educational and recreational enjoyment, preserve Florida's unique traditions and protect our precious environment."

State Senator Jeff Atwater's letter of support, received next by ERM and County Commissioners, stated his support and encouraged the County to support ..."continued equestrian use in the Loxahatchee Slough that will preserve historic riding trails used by our forefathers many years ago." Senator Atwater spoke twice at the Ocean to Lake Greenway Equestrian Events of 2005 and 2006, pioneered by Community Connection.

"The access preserves an historical equestrian use in the Lucky Tract, Luckey Buck Ranch and neighboring communities." stated Congressman Ron Klein in his Letter of Support. Congressman Klein has recently opened a new office in West Palm Beach. The Loxahatchee Slough falls in both Congressional Districts.

The Letter of Request is asking for immediate access by general public permit on the existing trails / roads. This would not involve additional expenditures or facilities by the County. A general public equestrian access permit has already been issued by ERM for use of the C-18 Canal, also located within the Loxahatchee Slough; this access was previously permitted by South Florida Water Management (SFWMD) in the later mid 1990s. SFWMD installed 5 equestrian gates for Jupiter Farms and Palm Beach Country Estates in 1999.

The research showed consistencies between the suggested trail system, National Geographic TOPO maps that showed existing roads in the Slough, routes mapped by equestrians on GPS, and a map of trails GPS'ed by ERM that was supplied at the "Trail Review" meeting. In an effort to comply with Mr. Walesky's guidelines, equestrians specifically requested sections 23 & 24 as they were the most upland, dryer areas.

Mr. & Mrs. Gary Luckey, previous users of the land, supplied a Letter of Support, unfolding stories of the cowboy-riding, cattle working activities and wonderful horseback riding experiences that had been enjoyed on their ranch. They had their residence on 10 acres in the adjoining community of Wind in the Pines and their cattle were worked and grazed in the Loxahatchee Slough, where they also had cattle pens.

The Luckeys loaned family photos of cattle pens in the Slough, and related topics to included in the Letter of Request. One of the photos was an old wagon wheel found by Betty Luckey along one of the requested trails. "Horseback riding was an exciting adventure as old trails and paths were taken across the ranch just as they had been used for many decades even before our family arrived" reminisced Betty Luckey.

Community Connection has received a response from Mr. Walesky of ERM. ERM expressed concerns that "ATVs, berry pickers and hunters" could claim "entitlement"; however this is a non-issue as these activities are not supported by Ordinance 94-13. ERM disagrees with the long history of equestrian use and states that neither a management plan nor approved permit have been issued to allow equestrian use. Equestrian trail supporters have noted that in spite of the lack of a management plan, "work" and "enforcement" have been implemented including the FTA hiking trail which was created through the wettest portion of the Luckey Buck Ranch; the FTA trail is open for public use.

ERM states that they intend to raise the water level 1-2 feet and cannot allow trail use that may be under water. They do agree however on the possibility of salvaging 2 trails for equestrian use. The "water system" is not currently approved so we believe this is a perfect time to request preservation of this portion of the Luckey Buck Ranch as an equestrian use area.

Residents in Wind in the Pines, which directly border the Luckey Buck Ranch portion of the Slough, have expressed concern about their properties flooding and increased mosquitoes with the potential of increased water levels. Animal lovers are concerned about what will happen to the plants and animals in the area and have expressed support for preserving sections 23 & 24 in its' current state.

ERM states in the final paragraph summary of Staff Recommendations that "the most appropriate part of the Slough for equestrian use is the Luckey tract. This portion is considerably drier than the northeastern portion, although it contains numerous wetlands. It will not be as affected by the operation of the new water control structures."

Regarding the loss of land, trails and riding areas accessible from home, tax-paying equestrians say: "The Buck stops here!"

There is a general Town Hall Meeting, Thursday April 12th at the Juno Beach Town Hall intended for a variety of issues involving the Northern Palm Beach County area. Commissioner Marcus has arranged a Special Meeting for the communities to discuss the recommendations made by County staff regarding the Letter of Request. This meeting has been scheduled on April 18, 2007 at 7 PM.Town of Jupiter Town Hall, 210 Military Trail.

To download pdf copies of the Letter of Request and more information visit the iDisk library:
http://homepage.mac.com/communityconnection/
folder: Luckey Buck Ranch Slough Access

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