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Luckey Buck Ranch: access granted to equestrians

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Contributed by: Beverly Bean on 4/24/2007

Equestrians, local equestrian business owners, families and residents of four equestrian communities packed the Jupiter Town Hall April 18th, 2007 to discuss continued equestrian access in the portion of the Loxahatchee Slough previously known as the Luckey Buck Ranch. The meeting was arranged by Commissioner Marcus and included Commissioner Koons, County Administrator Robert Weisman and Richard Walesky of Environmental Resource Management (ERM). The meeting was a response by the county to a 19 page "Letter of Request" for continued equestrian access, with long-term inclusion on future county and greenway plans. The "Letter of Request" was researched, compiled and presented by Community Connection, Inc., a not-for-profit organization in response to a request from Mr. Walesky, October 2005.

After listening to the concerns of citizens, Mr. Weisman concluded the "NO HORSE" signs will be removed and equestrians have access to ride on existing trails. This does not include equestrian use of the FTA (Florida Trail Association) trail for hikers. It was also stated that citizens will be part of meetings with the county and ERM until a Management Plan is completed, estimated as 18 months. The county is expected to release a more detailed report.

The Luckey Buck Ranch was a working cattle operation from 1971-1996, when it was purchased by the county. For over a decade, families from bordering equestrian communities continued riding on the existing trails and roads that cowboys and locals previously used to "work cattle." Equestrian residents from the bordering communities of Jupiter Farms, Wind in the Pines, Caloosa and Palm Beach Country Estates, had previously applauded the county for purchasing the land, as it was their perception that horseback riding was protected as passive use. Marcus explained that the county purchased the land in an effort to save it from being developed, and indicated that she was unaware that it had previously been a ranch.

The balance between environmental restoration and recreation as well as the Northeast Everglade Natural Area plan (NENA) was discussed by Koons, as being the start of a process regarding opportunities. Walesky stated that "the purpose of the Natural Areas System is to protect historic native ecosystems and their biological diversity throughout Palm Beach County" and that public use shall not take precedence over ecosystem protections.

Walesky reviewed the Ocean to Lake equestrian trail from Riverbend to Lake Okeechobee and indicated that two of the perimeter trails within the Luckey Buck Ranch area could be considered because they were uplands. There was mention of utilizing alternate upland areas for a Central Trail concept, which would provide important connective opportunities for all four communities. According to staff and other reports, the concerns of ERM include: damage caused by horses by "off-trail" riding, and trails becoming unusable because of plans to raise the water level of the slough 1-2 feet, or 1/2 foot per year over the next 3 years. This was a concern to Wind in the Pine residents because their properties directly border the Slough.

Steve Hinkle, president of DuPuis Horsemen's Assn., spoke about the management of trails at DuPuis Management Area, a Save our Rivers project. He stated they have found no damage done by horses going "off trail". He gave an example of the Palm Beach Hounds, a fox hunting organization, who go out once a week during season. He clarified, through a four year study and examples, that there was no indication of damage to the ecosystem or wetlands. This was reviewed by the Martin County Native Plant Society, the Martin County Soil and Conservation Service, the Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. In short, if equestrians ride "off-trail" there are no legal or damage issues.

Hinkle described DuPuis trails as going through cypress head natural areas and wetlands, which was not an issue because equestrians generally do not want to go through wet areas. A Special Use Permit has been issued for the Palm Beach Hounds to accommodate their hounds, which generally are not allowed. It was stated that: if the trails do not meet the needs of the users, the users will create what they need.

Residents, families and children told of experiences riding horses in the slough and how important this has been in the values of their lives. They spoke of outdoor adventures, educational opportunities, responsibilities, animals and making good grades as compared to children who stayed indoors in front of a computer and did recreational drugs.

One child's story painted very emotional moments for many attending and influenced the speech of a local teacher, who was brought to tears, on the thought of losing this opportunity for future children. The general overlapping consensus was that roads are being paved and equestrians need a safe place to go. They want the freedom of a "back-woods" experience they can get to, without a trailer, on a day-to-day basis: a non-structured trail system utilizing the existing roads / trails in the historical portions of the Luckey Buck Ranch. Preserving trails helps preserve local equestrian businesses.

Marcus indicated that Palm Beach County has purchased very large amounts of land for preservation. The specific areas equestrians are targeting include Sections 23 and 24 which would provide a safe destination for many residents to ride on a day-to-day basis. The requested area is a very small portion of the Loxahatchee Slough and is connected by the state designated Greenway. The previous ranching history of horseback riders (cow-hunters), is accessible by all four communities. The unlimited trails have been used by equestrians for over a decade, are allowable by the same Ordinance previously used to ticket equestrians, and require no additional expense for the County because the trails are established and have been used for generations. Residents want the beautiful trails in the Luckey Buck Ranch to be compatible with the countys' restoration efforts; they want it preserved; they want access from their backyard. This unique opportunity is supported at Congressional, State and local levels.

Concerns were expressed that current equestrian access in the C18 triangle has not been referenced in county articles, the NENA plan has omitted existing equestrian trails on maps that were to be updated, and equestrian use was not included on the C18 Canal in the recent PBC Strategic Economic Development Plan, March 2007. Walesky stated that acquiring trails was part of a public process, such as this meeting. Concerns were expressed regarding the number of previous public meetings, focus groups, and written responses that have requested the same equestrian access in the Loxahatchee Slough. It was suggested that if the intention was to increase the water level, a plan should be formed to create ecological diversity, within the hydrology, which could support both needs.

The meeting was an excellent next step in the process of joint planning. Participants on both sides of the podium received important information and equestrian communities will continue to work toward cooperatively developing community accessible upland trail systems.

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