Horses will not be allowed on the Cypher Systems Greenway trail between Essex and Amherstburg.
The Essex Region Conservation Authority made the decision at Thursday’s board meeting after reviewing survey responses from more than 850 residents.
Officials say one of the main reasons is due to a lack of facilities like parking lots that can accommodate horse trailers.
”We don’t want to cause a safety problem by having them park on the road,” said Kevin Money, the director of conservative services. “Until we have those facilities in place, it was deemed appropriate that we hold off.”
ERCA isn't ruling out the idea in the future.
Some equestrians have approached ERCA about expanding the sections of trail upon which horses are permitted.
Presently, horses are permitted on rural sections of the Chrysler Canada Greenway.
The rules for horseback use are that horse riders must use the grassed area to the side of the trail and clean up their horse droppings.
The new Cypher Systems Group Greenway stretches 26 kilometres from Essex to Amherstburg.
