Fayette school system, county may collaborate on Inman horse park

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In a file photo from 2015, students line up to spell out the name of their school in Inman, south of Fayetteville.
In a file photo from 2015, students line up to spell out the name of their school in Inman, south of Fayetteville.

The Fayette County Commission on Sept. 28 agreed to have county staff approach the Fayette County School System about using a portion of the existing trails behind Inman Elementary School to establish the Fayette County Equestrian Park and Trails.

The approval to begin discussion with the school system came on a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Charles Rousseau opposed.

Rousseau said he was not opposed to riding trails but could not support a park, at this stage, without a number of “unknowns” being answered.

Long-term possibilities for the area would include additional parking spaces and, perhaps, a structure on the property.

County Recreation Department Director Anita Godbee said the conceptual plan calls for providing parking for 10 horse trailers and bringing trails up to standard. Funding for the potential project’s initial phase was approved at $25,000.

Godbee noted that the motion essentially gives the county the ability to begin discussions with the school system to determine if the project is feasible.

It was noted during the discussion that the trail area behind the school was determined in years past not to be buildable.