County Equestrian Park Moving Forward

James Rada, Jr.

Not much has been heard about the Richard W. Kanode Farm Park—a new county park that will focus on agricultural and equestrian pursuits—since the public hearings last year.

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater approved the park master plan in May 2024. Later in the year, Phase 1 Design began with an emphasis on the entrance road, trail development, parking, restoring farm structures, and agricultural education. By February 2025, 90 percent of the design plans were completed.

Construction is expected to start sometime this quarter.

Richard W. Kanode, who passed away in 2020, donated a 183-acre parcel to the county in 2017 to be used as a park “for the use and enjoyment of the general public, containing agricultural, equestrian, educational and recreational facilities consistent with the terms of the Agricultural Preservation Easement,” according to Kanode’s agreement with the county. He also donated $1 million to the Community Foundation of Frederick County to establish an endowment fund for the park.

The proposed park, which has been in the works since 2022, is expected to include an obstacle course, a western riding arena, an outdoor practice arena, three miles of riding trails, and an enclosed arena for barrel racing and jumping. There will also be lawn parking for horse trailers, tent space for events, and a manure storage bay.

It will also have 64 acres for active farming, 6 acres for a managed meadow or orchard, a 10-acre native plant arboretum, and smaller garden plots for agricultural research and demonstrations.

The plans for the park have not been without some detractors. Horse riders support it, but local farmers, not so much. Many of them feel the park will attract too many people for events.

Full development of the park is expected to be a five-year project. It would seem to be a good fit with Frederick County. The preliminary plan pointed out that Frederick County has a long horse history, starting with Frederick as a main stop on the National Highway with horses transporting goods from Baltimore to the West. The county has been the setting for large draft horse breeding operations. There have also been large horse racing farms.

The Maryland Horse Census, compiled by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, found that the county has 7,850 horses, “making it the third largest county horse population-wise in Maryland, only trailing Baltimore and Montgomery counties.” Horses are kept in 1,600 places throughout the county, totaling 21,400 acres. All equine assets in the county total $442 million in value.

The county also has four “horse discovery centers.” These are farms that have similar programs to what Kanode Park would offer, although Kanode might offer even a greater variety. The horse discovery centers are: Good Intentions Farm in Keymar, Foxie G Thoroughbred Rescue in Libertytown, Paradise Stables in New Market, and Silverado Frederick County 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program in Thurmont.