Banshee Reeks Update 6 16 25
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It appears that our efforts to open trails at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve (BRNP) are nearing fruition!

The recent recommendation by the Transportation and Land Use (TLUC) subcommittee is currently on the June 17 full board agenda as a “consent item”.

This means the TLUC subcommittee’s recommendation has been reviewed by the full Board of Supervisors (BOS) and does not require further deliberation or discussion on it. It can be passed as is, along with other consent items, in one large vote.

Here’s where we stand:

“Transportation and Land Use Committee (TLUC): At the TLUC meeting on May 21, 2025, the TLUC recommended (4-0-1: Randall absent) that the Board of Supervisors approve Alternative 4* and direct staff to update the language of the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve Master Plan to include these specific equestrian trails. Additionally, TLUC further recommended that the Board of Supervisors direct staff to conduct further assessment to obtain additional equestrian trail mileage within Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, including without limitation, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) Easement, with such further assessment to occur within a requested period of twelve months.”

*Alternative 4 is just over 4 miles in northern third of BRNP.

This is great news and brings us so close to finalizing a project that LCEA has been working on for the benefit of all equestrians for over 7 years!  But before we get too excited, it must be noted that money allocated to improvements to BRNP that are tied to equestrian use has not been approved as noted in the fiscal impact statement within the board item packet (see below).

“FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with updating the BRNP Master Plan to include any of the Options listed below. However, the request to fund the implementation of any of the Options would be sent to a future Capital Improvement Program budget process for consideration and prioritization by the Finance/Government Operations and Economic Development Committee (FGOEDC) and the full BOS. The fiscal impact of Alternative 4, as recommended by the PROS Board, is estimated to be between $570,000 and $795,000.”

LCEA agrees with PROS board that this estimate is overly high, and recommendations for trail remediation is overly engineered for equestrian use.

At this time, we don’t feel the need to ask for your attendance at the June 17 meeting, but your letters encouraging supervisors to fund this project are still important.

You can email all supervisors at once using BOS@loudoun.gov. You may also want to contact your own supervisor https://www.loudoun.gov/86/Board-of-Supervisors.  Or you can call the Comment Line, 703-777-0115.

Please see the attached letters from LCEA to Board of Supervisors members that can help you craft your letters.  Or, your phone or email message can be as simple as, “Please pass the May 21, 2025 recommendations by TLUC and approve all necessary funding.”

LCEA June 2025 letter to BOS on Banshee Reeks

LCEA USTR PHTA concerns BRNP recommendation

Please spread the word!

The board of LCEA greatly appreciates your continued support.

Take Action: Emails to Support Equestrian Park
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On June 11, 2025, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Finance Committee discussed the merits of an equestrian and agriculture center in Loudoun.  Except for Chair Randall, the finance committee is composed entirely of “eastern” supervisors who are not familiar with and do not appreciate the equestrian industry.  They include Supervisors Briskman, Letourneau, Saines, and Umstattd.
Because an earlier Department of Economic Development study for a multi-purpose equestrian coliseum became the focal point of discussion, the supervisors were understandably concerned about the cost, and felt that any equestrian park would need to be revenue neutral or better, bring a “return on investment”.  The infrastructure that LCEA has recommended is much less costly than a 5,000 seat coliseum.  Further, we envision this as a Loudoun County Park.  No park in Loudoun is revenue neutral even when tournaments pay for use.
Unfortunately, the recommendations that LCEA provided were not fully considered, and committee did not commit money for a park study.  It was instead tabled to return to the committee at another time.  LCEA is requesting meetings with Supervisors to better emphasize what LCEA supports.

Update:  Despite this disappointing meeting, Loudoun Equine Alliance (LCEA) continues its efforts to support the creation of an equestrian park.

 

LCEA has already been in touch with supervisors to arrange for meaningful meetings to help move this forward. See our previous letter to BOS on this matter.

We will continue to keep you updated!

The letter that LCEA sent to the finance committee in advance of last night’s meeting is attached.   LCEA envisions a park with a focus on unsanctioned shows and clinics.  It would help to support a pipeline of  competitors and their horses to move up to sanctioned shows, or for equestrians to simply to enjoy riding.  There would be a rental revenue stream from shows and clinics as well as from equestrian campsites.
If you haven’t already done so, please take the time to write to your Supervisor to show your continued support for an equestrian park in Loudoun.
Emails for your Supervisor can be found on this link  https://www.loudoun.gov/86/Board-of-Supervisors
The full Board email is BOS@loudoun.gov
The following is the letter the LCEA provided to the BOS:

Loudoun County Board of Supervisors:

The Loudoun County Equine Alliance (LCEA) supports a Board of Supervisors’ directive to staff to prepare a study on an Equine and Agricultural Center AND to authorize the study’s inclusion into the 2025 CIP (Capital Improvement Program). This is a long awaited and necessary catalyst to further the economic impact of the equestrian, agriculture and tourism industries in Loudoun. To date, there is one park that contains a properly constructed equestrian ring (Lovettsville), and no county park with more than 4 miles of equestrian trails. The few county parks that contain “equestrian areas” within the master plan are not funded and are of inadequate size.  Our board has previously recommended infrastructure items of high importance for inclusion in an equestrian center. They include acreage sufficient for

1. A minimum of 2 large outdoor LIGHTED arenas of the size of Lovettsville. At least one should have sand footing and another geo-tech footing to accommodate additional equine disciplines.
2. Indoor with competition area of at least 150 x 300 plus adjoining covered warm up area approximately 100-225. The pavilion and indoor arenas at VA Horse Center are good examples.
3. Outside course acreage for cross-country jumps.
4. Flexible grass arena for combined driving. At least 700 x 300 feet.
5. Minimum of 8-12 permanent stalls with added area sufficient to accommodate at least 75-100 additional temporary stalls. Temporary stall area should have electrical and sufficient number of spigots for water.
6. Wash areas with drains near stalls for horses.
7. Bathrooms with showers (in at least some of them).
8. Manure management bays.
9. Separate parking for trailers and spectator vehicles. Spillover for both could be field parking.
10. Electric and water hookup for tent, horse trailer or RV camping.
11. Area for primitive camping that would allow for trailer parking and room to make temporary corrals for horses.
12. Trails of at least 8 miles on site and preferably more to add interest for multi-day campers.  This could be part of LPAT/Trails and Waterways.
13. Storage bays for the bedding, and jumps.
14. Storage bays for all the equipment needed to care for the place – mowers, forklifts, back hoes, arena dragging equipment, etc.

In addition to the comparable facilities provided by the Johnson Group, LCEA would offer the
World Equestrian Center’s two locations for review.

LCEA does not recommend linking a quarantine facility to an equestrian park but does recommend that the County support the Cuticelli group of investors and owners of the Ark quarantine station in NY, in their efforts to build a similar operation at Dulles.

Kelly S. Foltman, DVM
President, LCEA

Helpful links:
More BOS contact and meeting information can be found on the Loudoun.gov website
Banshee Reeks Update – Action needed!
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Banshee Reeks Update!
We once again need your support in gaining equestrian access to the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve trails. The Transportation and Land Use Committee will meet next Wednesday, May 21st, at 5:00 p.m. in the Board Room on the first floor of the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E. in Leesburg, to discuss the results of a study completed this winter pursuant to a request by the Board of Supervisors.
PLEASE JOIN US to demonstrate to the Board of Supervisors how important our access to these public park trails are to Loudoun County equestrians!
Update:  If you are unable to attend in person, please send an email to BOS@loudoun.gov, or leave a comment on their comment line, 703-777-0115, to urge them to allow equestrian trail access in Banshee Reeks!
Simple sample email:  Sample-Banshee-Reeks-letter-to-BOS