More than 60 people, some who traveled all the way to Los Altos from San Martin and Woodside, piled into a packed meeting, decked out in multi-colored plaid, cowboy hats and boots. They anxiously wrung their hands and wiped away tears as they advocated to save Bear Creek Stables from the threat of closure. For now, they’ve done it.
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space board of directors voted 5-2 on Wednesday to keep Bear Creek Stables open, with Director Yoriko Kishimoto and President Margaret MacNiven voting no. The stables, located in Los Gatos within the 1,430-acre Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, need up to $10.5 million in repairs after falling into disrepair over the last decade. The stables are boarding 12 horses, but can hold more than 70, according to Midpen officials.
The stables are slated to change management from Chaparral Corporation — which has been accused of animal abuse at other sites — to a nonprofit that hasn’t been selected yet, in an attempt to breathe life back into the treasured site.
Chaparral Country Corporation was unavailable for comment.
Melany Moore, vice president of nonprofit Friends of Bear Creek Stables and board member of Summit Riders Horsemen’s Association for 18 years, has been an advocate for the stables for about 11 years. The nonprofit could be selected to manage the site and she’s grateful the board didn’t close it down. Moore remains worried about the stables’ uncertain future because she sees the location as a gem for generations to come.
“I know our intentions are to work with Midpen. We would love to have the opportunity to be in a true partnership with Midpen, not just words on paper … to be treated like they can trust Friends of Bear Creek Stables,” she told San José Spotlight.
Director MacNiven saw it differently. She said the cost outweighed the benefits of keeping the boarding site open.
“The stables are in disrepair, the facility is a bit of a mess and $8 (million) to $10 million for repairs is totally unwarranted,” she said. “The current tenant can’t even run any of the programs — what makes you think that the Friends group that’s never done it before can do it?
Uncertain future
The future of the stables is undoubtedly precarious. The board voted unanimously for Midpen employees to draft a contract, hiring plan and fundraising targets. Upon review, the board could ask staff to rework the plans or halt them altogether. Under the plan, the stables are expected to cost up to $300,000 a year to run.
Director Craig Gleason, who represents Ward 1 where the stables are, said he voted to keep the stables open because of the advocates’ passion and various organizations that stepped up to help. He was on the ad hoc committee made up of 36 people in the community and board that worked on a plan to revitalize the stables.
“Certainly there is risk. The reason that I’m willing to take that risk is that I’ve been through this process with these people,” he said at the meeting. “They’ve given me the confidence that we will be able to overcome the challenges that are there.”
The stables have a lengthy history, which began in the 1930s. Midpen first identified needed repairs in 2015, and in 2019 determined up to $4.4 million was needed to restore the facility to its former glory. Midpen’s Measure AA, a 30-year, $300-million general obligation bond, passed in 2014 and the board allocated funding for a number of other needs first.
In 2020, bond funding was allocated for the stables, but lengthy permit delays stalled the project and costs skyrocketed to $10.5 million as of May. Some of the issues stemmed from inflation and numerous high-cost projects that had to be completed in tandem with basic repairs, such as fire department access. That’s also when the community heard about the looming closure and the ad hoc committee was formed.
The existing revitalization plan includes multiple phases. The initial phase includes volunteer-led programming, site cleanup and fundraising before moving into the next phase, which includes horse interaction programs, expanded fundraising and necessary road repairs. Staff also need to secure proper use permits.
Charles Whatley, who attended the meeting to support the stables, said he first learned to ride a horse there. He said his fiancee boarded her horses there for about 20 years before leaving approximately eight months ago due to grievances with management. He added his fiancee used to be able to lead horse therapy there.
“It’s going to take a while before they get things rolling in there, but at least we got to a point where we’re happy to see that there’s no threat of closing,” Whatley told San José Spotlight. “It would be terrible to see that place gone.”
Moore said while she wanted more stability for the stables, she’s relieved the site isn’t closing.
“Maintaining the stables as as a place for horses and family is is a gift, and that is a wonderful conclusion,” she said.
Contact Annalise Freimarck at [email protected] or follow @annalise_ellen on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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