PLANS PROCEEDING FOR HORSE CENTER.

Byline: Charles F. Bostwick  Staff Writer

PALMDALE - The city will hire an architect to design a horse arena, corral and other features for an equestrian center at the proposed 17-acre Tejon Park, which is now only a parking area at the end of Barrel Springs Trail.

Parks bonds approved by Los Angeles County voters in 1992 and 1996 provided $161,000 through Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich's office for the project, which was suggested by local horse owners.

``It's going to be a start,'' said John Lasagna, Palmdale Parks and Recreation director.

The proposed facility - on Barrel Springs Road east of Sierra Highway, in the city's largely undeveloped southern end - could be used for horse shows, club competitions, fund-raisers, clinics and other events for local equestrian groups and 4-H, FFA and scout organizations, supporters say.

How many of the desired facilities can be financed with the $161,000 isn't known, Lasagna said. The city will hire an architect, who will meet with equestrian group representatives and come up with a prioritized list of improvements and cost estimates, he said.

Once the architectural plans are finished, Lasagna added, the city will be able to seek grants to add facilities.

At 17 acres, Tejon Park is nearly as big as 20-acre McAdam Park. The land was originally owned by Los Angeles County, but never developed, and was transferred to city control when Palmdale annexed the area. Palmdale created a parking area there in 1996 when it built the 1.5-mile-long Barrel Springs Trail, also financed with a county grant.

Local equestrian group representatives estimate there are 45,000 horses - and mules and donkeys - in the Antelope Valley.

During their discussions with Lasagna about the need for a public equestrian facility, equestrian group representatives talked to local feed stores to find out how much horse feed they sold, and from that arrived at their 45,000-horse estimate.

``Not only would an equestrian facility help preserve open space that is rapidly disappearing; it would preserve our Western heritage and a precious rural lifestyle in the face of increasing urban pressure,'' said Elaine Macdonald, a leader of the Antelope Valley Trails, Recreation and Environmental Council.

The Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank is an example of how an equestrian center located in an urban area can serve a large community, Macdonald said.

More than a dozen Los Angeles County equestrian groups support the facility, Macdonald said. Horse enthusiasts who worked with Lasagna on the proposal came from the trails council, Back Country Horsemen, Equestrian Trail Inc. and 4-H.

The money for the equestrian facility was awarded after Antonovich asked for park proposals from cities in the Fifth Supervisorial District, which he represents.

Antonovich provided an additional $160,000 to the city of Lancaster, which will use its money to construct a tree-shaded plaza at the activity building at the Lancaster National Soccer Center.

About 150 feet by 150 feet, the plaza will resemble the plaza in front of City Hall, with trees and benches, Lancaster Parks, Recreation and Arts Director Lyle Norton said.

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Proposed Tejon Park