THE SAVE THE HORSE FARM CAMPAIGN

In September of 2005, the Independent Weekly broke a news story that the property formerly known as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Equine Center (nicknamed the "Horse Farm") was under the threat of commercial development. Immediately, a few students sprung into action, planning and publicizing a community meeting to discuss concerns, plans of action, and alternatives. More than 60 people, including several media outlets, attended this meeting and many joined the different committees that addressed the various concerns that accompanied the issue.

The original deal was a land swap. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (which owns the property) was going to trade the front 36 acres of the Horse Farm (facing Johnston Street, Lafayette's main thoroughfare) for 4.1 residential acres closer to campus. A newly formed corporation, BRE-ARD, was set to make the transaction as soon as ULL successfully rezoned the property from residential to business. Our first major victory came in December 12, 2005, when the Zoning Commission recommended to the City Council that the Horse Farm not be rezoned, citing issues such as traffic congestion in the area, vehicular access, and flooding. Before the City Council could vote on the issue, the University withdrew its zoning request, killing the deal with BRE-ARD and Jimmy Davidson, the 4.1-acre property owner.

Opposition to the development of the Horse Farm was community-wide, and the reasons were varied. Ultimately, the Lafayette community wanted to see the 100-acre greenspace preserved for future generations, while ensuring that the university received fair market value for the property. This is evident in the yard signs and bumper stickers dotting the Lafayette landscape, the thousands of petition signatures, and the many letters that have been sent to those who control the fate of the Horse Farm.

There have been other, more official forms of community support: Soon after the campaign began, City-Parish President Joey Durel endorsed our efforts and has been working with the university administration ever since to develop an alternative plan that would serve both the public and ULL. In June of 2007, the City Council passed a resolution reaffirming their constituents' desires to "Save the Horse Farm" as a new city park as well. Additionally, numerous community leaders have stepped up and spoken out on behalf of the cause.

For more than two years, a few dedicated Lafayette citizens and ULL students have donated their time, skills and resources towards educating the public and developing alternative plans for the Horse Farm where all parties will be happy. If you have any questions or comments about the Horse Farm or the campaign, please contact us at horsefarm@gmail.com.

To see an aerial shot of the Horse Farm and Lafayette, please click here.

To see a visualization of a few of the possiblities in the future park, click here.

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