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Sale of Kensington Stables to City Falls Through, Parks Department Says

By Caroline Spivack | August 31, 2017 9:44am | Updated on August 31, 2017 12:30pm
 Kensington Stables offers horse trail rides and lessons in Prospect Park.
Kensington Stables offers horse trail rides and lessons in Prospect Park.
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DNAinfo/Nicholas Rizzi

KENSINGTON — A deal for the city to purchase the last stables offering horse rides in Prospect Park has fallen through, officials told DNAinfo New York on Thursday.

Facing bankruptcy, the owners of the Kensington Stables had reached a tentative agreement with the city to sell the equestrian center in July, but officials were unable to negotiate a deal, Parks Department spokeswoman Maeri Ferguson said.

"Parks is disappointed in the outcome of this deal, given that we had a clear understanding with the owner to bring the Stables under City ownership," Ferguson said. "We want the stables to remain a useful public amenity and will continue to work toward that goal."

The Blankenship family — which has run the Caton Place barn between East Eighth Street and Coney Island Avenue since the 1930s — was selling the property to satisfy outstanding debts.

They were headed toward a bankruptcy auction before calls by locals and Councilman Brad Lander to preserve the stables were initially heeded by the city.

But the Blankenships now have another offer on the table that they are considering, according to the Parks Department. The city's offer remains on the table should they change their mind. 

City officials and Walker Blankenship — who manages the stable on behalf of his mother, the actual owner — had planned to sign on the dotted line by the end of August.

The stable's owner, Massie Blankinship, declined to comment Thursday on why the sale fell through.