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Quality journalism needs your support to thrive. Donate and keep the facts flowing. DECORAH — The Decorah City Council on Monday approved a scaled-back pilot program granting equestrian access to a limited selection of trails in Van Peenen Park. The decision, formalized by a 6-1 vote, affirms the "five-of-eight" plan previously endorsed by the Parks and Recreation Commission. Council member Emily Neal introduced the motion to pass the five-of-eight plan as a pilot for the year. Council members Kirsten Olson, Steve Zittergruen, Cody Whittle, Brent Parker, Chris Miculinich and Neal voted in favor. Council member Randy Shissel cast the lone dissenting vote. The five-of-eight plan includes access to Fire Road, Pines Connector, Pines East, Pines West and Prairie Loop. It excludes additional trails in Van Peenen and other parts of the Decorah park system previously used by equestrians. The meeting's public comment period reflected ongoing tensions between horseback riders and mountain biking advocates over trail access, environmental impact and the interpretation of donor intent. Danielle Dotzenrod, representing the Winneshiek County Saddle Club, said the group "did not approve of the five-of-eight plan." "We would like Van Peenen trails to be used in accordance with the Van Peenen donor wishes, allowing walking, horseback riding, backpacking and simple camping. We will then agree not to pursue access to any additional city trails, including the remainder of the trails we responsibly rented for over 50 years," Dotzenrod said. Several attendees echoed her concerns. Tom Massman posited that horseback riders had used the trails for over 50 years without incident "until the Decorah Human Powered Trails (DHPT) group expanded mountain biking access." "Now since mountain bikers and DHPT have been doing everything they can to not allow horses on the trails," he said, "I believe [it] is to take the real focus away from the damage bikers are causing to the parks…I think at this point, the best solution is to have no mountain bikers in Van Peenan Park and allow horseback riders in immediately." Opponents of unrestricted equestrian access defended the five-of-eight plan on safety and environmental grounds. Jes Ryerson thanked the council for pointing out the weight disparity between horses and bikes in their last meeting. Ryerson approximated the weight of a horse and rider at 1,250 pounds, placing the weight of four riders at 5,000 pounds. "If a bike and a rider is 250 [pounds], that'd be 24 bikes in the same place," he said. He emphasized that there are "seven places" within driving distance where horses can ride, unlike mountain biking trails, which he noted are less common. Ryerson maintained they were not opposed to horses outright. "We are not trying to take horses out," he said. "We want to cooperate, but we want to have horses on trails that are safer [for] horses." Thomas Johnson referenced a quote from Decorah Parks and Recreation Board member Brian Fuhrmann stating, "Trails in the five-of-eight meet the criteria for equestrian use on shared-use trails while other trails did not." He also quoted Council member Neal: "It's not this dichotomy between the horses and bikers. We've got to stop playing like it is. It's about Decorah's trails and what's best for them and all users," agreeing with Neal's sentiment. City officials said the pilot plan will be subject to review after one year. Become a part of the exclusive circle! Subscribe to the newsletter for free and gain access to special offers, bonus content and insider perks.

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City Council Approves "Five-of-Eight Plan", Subject to Review After One Year