Many have asked why the carriage horses could not be permanently moved (stabled) in Central Park. Although this would seem to be a perfect solution ( to a non-problem), below is a reasoned,well researched explanation why this has not, and most likely will not be allowed to happen.... Thank you Eva for this information. ************************************************* From Eva Hughes , spokesperson: Eva Hughes MOVING STABLES TO THE PARK: Central Park is 843 acres of man-made park. Every road, tree, bush and blade of grass have been laid out in a deliberate fashion, with only the giant outcroppings of Manhattan schist rock being natural. Its overall design hews *thisclose* to its original 1800s layout by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux to this day. Any and all deviations and changes for the last 120 years have been fiercely debated, and its preservation is jealously guarded today more than ever. We have, at any given time, 140 horses in the city; for there to be stables and individual turnout built (of course we would need individual turnouts since the horses are shod), we roughly estimate that we would need 10-15 acres for even modest digs. In a Park where it takes a year of bureaucracy and $7,500 to have a BENCH PLAQUE installed in memorial of a loved one on an EXISTING BENCH (we went through this process to dedicate a bench to a beloved long-time driver), can you even imagine approaching the Central Park Conservancy with a plan to take over 10-15 ACRES? Aside from the fact that its historic layout is vigorously protected, the property appraisal firm, Miller Samuel, estimated Central Parks value to be $528,783,552,000 in December 2005. Thats 5.5 BILLION dollars, and that was 2005 lol. Then of course is the actual cost of building. It boggles the mind, truly. There arent many things one can say itll never happen with certainty, but carriage horse stables in Central Park is one of them. TRAFFIC: The roads in Central Park ALLOW VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, Monday thru Friday. The cabs go even FASTER in the park than on the streets. The carriages are SUPPOSED to have the right lane to themselves, and indeed 50% of the standard ride is on a dedicated carriage lane, perpendicular to the zoo. As for traveling in traffic to and from the stables, more than half the horses in the city live in the 52nd St barn, just 10 blocks from the Park (7 north and 3 east.) The other horses travel from W48th, W38th, and W37th. We have 68 carriages leaving and returning from the stables TWICE a day, the day and night shifts (different drivers/horses.) In the last 25 years, that makes 3 MILLION trips back and forth, and we have had only ONE equine fatality due to an accident in transit to the barn (Spotty, 2006) , and no human fatalities. Any reasonable person would agree that this is an extraordinary safety record for ANY equine pursuit. Over 100 people got hit and killed in NYC just last year. So no matter what it may look like to the casual observer, our trips back and forth to our barns are extremely safe. CARRIAGES AT THE HACKLINE: There are definite modifications that could be made for the comfort of the horse and safety for all involved at our hacklines. We have been asking for hitching posts for 25 YEARS, the city has refused. In recent years, the city has totally neglected oversight of tour buses, limos, hot dog stands, and street vendors, and we have been forced to negotiate our way around them as they encroach on our legal spots. We periodically bring up shade shelters, we are told no way. But as it is, about 50% of our designated spots are in tree shade. The horses have access to constantly running water troughs not once, but TWICE on every ride. Every driver carries a bucket and a wrench or hydrant key for opening fire hydrants in an emergency, and it is legal for us to do so. IN CLOSING: The horses in the NYC carriage industry are only a few generations removed from the everyday working horse in NYC, such as the milk wagon horse who stopped and started by himself along the route. Our guys are jaded, blue collar, work-a-day types; we dont use traditional carriage types, we have drafts, draft Xs, and STBs. They all fit the bill perfectly - the ones that dont, dont stay. We are proactive in every way possible -- we FORCED the city last year to obey its own 1989 law by finally assembling a Horse Advisory Committee, and we participate fully. We are always open to concerns and suggestions from HORSEPEOPLE who acknowledge our right to exist; however, the lunatic animal rights people will NEVER have a say in our industry until they pry the lines from our cold, dead hands. Horsemen all over the world are fighting for their roadrights. As citizens, they have the same right as everyone else to use the public byways. There is a renaissance of urban working horses across the globe, from grocery delivery in Vermont to garbage collection in 60 towns in France. Urban working horses are green, sustainable, preserve endangered working horse breeds, and add to the quality of life for citizens of the areas where they work just by virtue of their presence. Share the Road, Horses Paved the Way.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 15:59:09 +0000
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