Horseback riders aren’t the only ones who noticed the horse trails at Miami Whitewater Forest were much improved last year.
Now, Great Parks of Hamilton County has won national recognition from the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials.
Great Parks and members of the local horse community teamed up to make the improvements. The nearly 20 miles of horse trails were widened and realigned, and they got improved creek crossings, GPS mapping, distance markers and a permanent trailhead map. Members of horseback-riding organizations raised $35,000 to match a $35,000 Great Parks Foundation fund.
Great Parks has the largest public horse trail systems in Hamilton County. They are ranked in the top 30 percent statewide by Ohio Horseman Council members as a favorite place to ride.
The award will be presented in July at an awards banquet in Long Beach, California.