Horse Stable to Open in Central Park

Source: New York Times

4 May 2011

Central Park was built with horses in mind. Paddocks and bridle paths snake their way throughout the area, mounted patrol officers rider through regularly, and carriage horses pass through from time to time. It is no surprise, then, that the Central Park Conservancy has been overseeing the construction of a new barn on the grounds over the past year. The goal being to bring an equine presence back to Central Park.

The barn will house two draft geldings named Monty and Pete. both ridden by the Parks Enforcement Patrol Mounted Auxillary Unit. 

Until four years ago, all of the mounted patrol horses were housed at Claremont Riding Academy, just a few blocks outside West 89th street. But the academy closed in 2007, and the horses were moved elsewhere. Because of a contract between Paul Novograd, the "long time proprietor of the academy" and the city, the closing of Claremont Riding Academy helped fun the construction for the new stable, which cost some $700,000. Novograd had agreed to provide free housing for patrol horses until 2008, so when the academy closed in 2007, he agreed to provide $400,000 towards the construction of the new facility.

To read more about the construction of the new facility and to learn more about New York's Mounted Patrol Units, read the full article here.