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WASHINGTON STATE HORSE PARK <br />The Washington State Horse Park is located on 106 acres of land adjacent to I-90inCleElum,Wash.The park will be the showcase of the Washington equestrianindustryandaworld-class facility,serving the recreational,competitive andeducationalneedsofridersandhorseenthusiastsacrossthestateandthroughouttheNorthwest.The proposed facility will provide ample facilities toaccommodateregional,national and international equestrian and recreationalpursuits.Special etnphasis is included to provide equestrian activities for youthandthedisabled. <br />HisTORicAL BACKGROUND <br />1986 -Washington State Legislature appropriates funds to the Washington StateDepartmentofAgricultureforinvestigationoftheeconomicimpactofWashington's horse industry.Study recommends the creation of a state-ownedandoperatedequestriancentertopromoteandservetherecreationalhorseindustryinthestateandprovideeconomicbenefitsthroughequineactivities. <br />1991 -Legislature authorizes expenditure of $200,000 for an equestrian centerplanningstudy.The Parks Cornmission approves $490,000 to purchase landadjacenttoLewisandClarkStateParkinLewisCountyasapotentialsitefor thePark. <br />1991 -1996 -After five years of planning,horse community input and siteanalysis,physical and environmental issues prove the Lewis County locationunsuitableforaworld-class equestrian center. <br />1995 -State Legislature,by RCW 67.18 (Recodified:79A.30),authorizes theWashingtonStateHorseParkAuthorityto"establish a first-class horse parkfacilityinWashingtontomeettheimportantneedsofthestate's horse industry,attract investment,enhance recreational opportunities,and bring new exhibitorsandtouriststothestatefromthroughouttheregionandbeyond."The legislaturefurtherstates,"a unique opportunity exists to form a partnership between state,county,and private interests to create a major horse park facilíty that will providepublicrecreationalopportunitiesandstatewideeconomicandemploymentbenefits." <br />1996 -Trendwest Resort Corporation offers to donate land for the horse parkinCleElum,Wash.adjacent to their planned resort community.Governor GaryLockeappolntsHorseParkAuthoritymembers. <br />1992 -A $46,000 grant is provided by the Legislature to develop an economicfeasibilitystudyanddraftaMasterPlanfortheWashingtonStateHorseParkinKittitasCounty.Aletter of intent to donate the property in Cle Elumis signed byaffiliatesofJELD-WEN and Lowe Enterprises,the newland owners. <br />3