By Mary Drier
Staff Writer
CARO — State lawmakers are proposing Tuscola County take ownership of parts of the former Tuscola County Re-Entry / former prison facility outside of Caro to develop as a park for horseback riders.
Sen. Mike Green (R – Mayville) pitched the idea to commissioners in February.
While commissioners aren’t exactly “looking a gift horse in the mouth” regarding the state’s offer of approximately 640 acres, they are cautious of costs, liability, environmental concerns, and other issues. The county’s legal counsel was contacted for advice and a list of questions and concerns was complied to talk over with the state before deciding about the offer.
Commissioner Craig Kirkpatrick, who has taken the project by the reins, wants even more land than the state is offering.
“There is other land around the prison the state owns. If we go with this, why not ask the state for that area too?” said Kirkpatrick noting it would make it a bigger area to develop equine trails. “It’s not DNR land… where no hunting is allowed. It is land owned by the state that could easily be added to this proposal.”
With the state land that’s being offered along with the state land Kirkpatrick hopes to add, the total land for trails would be about 1,000 acres.
The former re-entry – prison complex is owned by the Department of Management and Budget. Before the buildings were re-purposed for a prison and then a re-entry center, they were part of the Caro Regional Center, which started out housing primarily individuals with epilepsy and mental handicaps.
“There’s been meetings with horse folks in Millington and Lapeer County who want a place to ride, and they are willing to help,” said Green when he first pitched the plan to commissioners. “Some travel to other states just to ride their horses. This could be a economic great opportunity for the county.
“There could be miles of riding trails and campsites developed, and there are grants that could help with development.”
Green noted the offer isn’t a done deal, but the state wants an answer soon.
Some horse riding enthusiasts are ready to gallop full speed ahead with the offer. Sue Osbrone, owner of Osbrone Realty LLC, Caro, and Jim Dun of Vassar recently attended a county meeting express support of the plan to develop trails for horse-back riding. They are members of the Michigan Trailer Riders Association and Draft-Horse Association, and noted the associations and riders are excited about the opportunity and would be willing to help with development if the project moves forward.
While the offer is generous, commissioners are considered about the state’s sudden rush for an answer, potential liability, costs, property lines, that the buildings included not be included, and more.
Both Kirkpatrick and commission Chair Thom Bardwell cautioned the county is just exploring the state’s offer, and they want to know a lot more of what is entailed before accepting. Green also noted the proposal is in the “very preliminary stages.”
Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.