ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. — Volusia County beaches could soon welcome horseback riders under a proposal that council members approved to move forward with on Tuesday night.
The county council voted 5-2 to proceed with a beach horseback riding proposal in the northern part of the county before an ordinance is presented to members.
The council asked staff to bring back the proposal with some options to questions the council had regarding waste, safety, locations, parking, permitting, regulations, etc.
Volusia County Council member Troy Kent suggested for horses to wear bags that catch their waste. However, the pros and cons of mandating bags will be addressed.
If the plan was to be implemented, nine miles of coastline at the Al Weeks North Shore Park in Ormond-by-the-Sea would serve as a riding corridor from Flagler County line to Granada Boulevard.
The other location of interest for this proposal is at the Neptune Beach Approach. However, the more popular location seemed to be Al Weeks North Shore Park.
But before anything official can happen, discussions took place since both of the proposed areas are within a Natural Beach Management Area — which require a close monitoring of turtle nests and the potential impact on protected species.
Council member Kent is behind the idea and he says parts of the county already allow for beach-side driving and dogs on the beach.
That is why he believes that allowing beach horseback riding would be a great addition.
Another council member was concerned about the implementation of horses on the beach and taking away nine miles of the beach for residents and visitors.
Right now, eight counties across the Sunshine State allow beach horseback riding, including Flagler and St. Johns counties. According to the county, these programs typically feature permits, designated areas and times, trailer parking and low-tide restrictions with fees that range from free to $200 annually.
Recommendations for the proposal include:
- Implementing beach horseback riding in non-beach driving areas
- Only allowing it during daylight hours
- Operating outside of sea turtle nesting season
- Ensuring that horses are ridden below the high tide and not interfering with turtle nests
- Ensuring that horse owners are responsible for their horses’ waste
Members heard from Jessica Fentress, Volusia County Coastal Director, and two residents — one of which owned a horseback riding business — before voting to advance the proposal to a trial stage.
Since it passed, Kent said he will direct county staff to bring the matter back as an ordinance, which could be taken up by the county council in the next six to eight weeks. They will likely approve a trial period for beach horseback riding.
View the council discussion from 5:48 to 6:42:
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