Who Is JEA?
Local equestrian groups including: the Olympic Dressage Club, the Back Country Horsemen, 4-H clubs, Discovery Pony Club, Equitese Pony Club, Equimasters Adult Pony Club, as well as unaffiliated riders, organized themselves into one body, the Jefferson Equestrian Association (JEA) in order to help facilitate the development of additional equestrian public facilities and amenities within Jefferson County as well as to provide a communication system between the various horse related groups.  Membership in the JEA is open to anyone or any group.

The First Five Years
In the first five years of the Horse Park, the focus will be on building community by providing a place for youth groups (including for those at risk), adult recreation and initial competitive opportunities for all ages.

In addition, the sustainable forestry management plan will begin to be implemented with educational programs launched for local students to learn first-hand about the stewardship of the land.

In the first five years, at least one outdoor arena will be constructed, along with a road and public parking, so events can begin, raising awareness about the Horse Park and immediately giving back to the community. This will provide a place for youth competitions and an annual fundraising extravaganza like the Dancing With Horses JEA did in September 2008.

As public awareness is garnered, a capital campaign will be underway to build the additional arenas (including the covered one), a cross country course and horse enclosures.

Stewardship of the Land
The Horse Park will fully use an under-utilized piece of land. Currently, the 80 acres is sitting idle. Facilities in the Horse Park will be designed to integrate into the natural environment inherent in the park as much as possible. Natural materials and earth tone colors will be used on the buildings and fencing.

There are also tremendous opportunities to partner with the schools on the Olympic Peninsula to educate students about sustainable forestry and land stewardship. Walking the park, having hands-on, engaging learning experiences and participating first-hand in the care for the property will raise awareness about ecology and life sciences. Field trips can encompass such topics as plant structure, water cycles, local ecosystems and even recycling by taking advantage of the close proximity of the County’s Recycling Center next door. It’s the perfect venue for many aspects of environmental education.

JEA can apply for grants for restoration of habitat, sustainable timber, with partnerships developed with non-equestrian groups such as the Quimper Trails Association, etc.

Economic Development
Completion of the Horse Park will draw participants and spectators from not only across the Olympic Peninsula but from the entire western region of the United States with benefits to local businesses. There is no public, serious cross country course within four hours of Port Townsend. Building such a course would prove to be a major draw for riders from throughout western Washington and the full West Coast. Competitions using the arenas would do the same.

Citizens of all ages in Jefferson County will acquire a much needed recreational facility without any outlay of public funds. With the private fundraising, business sponsorships and volunteer labor, a beautifully landscaped and much needed County Park can be created.