RIVERVIEW, Fla. — A Hillsborough-based horseback riding group recently gave their time and effort to help restore a historic horse trail at a county-owned park in Riverview, and the group says their work isn't done yet.
- Triple B Riding Group helped restore trail at Stephen J. Wortham Park
- Group plans to assist county with restoring hiking trails in the park, as well
- More Good News stories
For Cathy Moore, a trip down a horse riding trail in Stephen J. Wortham Park in Riverview is like going back in time.
“We'd come and ride and spend the whole day out here, making little jumps and make the horses go over,” said Moore.
She's referring to the 1970s, when she and her neighbors were regulars at the park, riding at all hours down the trails. The area was once known for its lush acreage, but these days that's in short supply.
“We don't have much green left in the area,” she said. “Everything is concrete and this is an area not for just horses, but hikers and picnickers.”
Moore and her fellow equestrians with Triple B Riding Club decided they would volunteer their time to clearing away the overgrown brush covering the once-popular riding trail.
Chris Kiddy, who coordinates environmental restoration programs for Hillsborough County, just happened to be walking by a county office as Moore was discussing her proposal with an official.
“I said ‘Hey, I'm working with volunteers to do hiking trails,’" Kiddy said. “Would your group be interested in helping me work on these trails and help them get opened back up? And she said 'Definitely. Let's do something.'"
The restoration took just a few weeks to complete and did not require any additional taxpayer money. The county agreed to provide heavy equipment to assist the group with the project.
On Wednesday, the riders took to the trail for the first time in years.
“This is a little bit different than just a riding ring,” said Moore. “This is really getting back to nature.”
Going forward, the county plans to start restoring hiking trails and other multiuse trails in Wortham Park. Moore and her group plan to assist in those projects, as well.