Wisconsin residents want to pull back on the reins on a proposed variance change that would expand the equestrian trails at Newport State Park. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources collected public comment for nearly a month in August, garnering almost 100 responses.

The proposed variance would allow the DNR to increase the mileage of authorized equestrian trails from 4-6 miles to up to 10 miles. It would also extend the trails into Newport State Park’s Management Area 2 and co-locate them where hiking and biking trails currently exist. The DNR’s summary of the public comment highlighted the appropriateness of equestrian trails at a wilderness park, the possible impact of equestrian uses on the environment and visitors, and the funding and maintenance of the trails. Some respondents said there needs to be more horseback riding opportunities in northern Door County, especially since the network of equestrian trails using private land has deteriorated recently.

There was concern about how many people could take advantage of the opportunity based on the location and the number of horses in the county. Safety of interactions, spread of invasive species, erosion, and crowding were other concerns during the public comment period. The DNR will now decide if they will continue the process of developing the equestrian trail or if they will drop their pursuit of the variance change. That decision is expected to come by the end of November.

You can read the public comment summary by clicking this link.