LINDENWOOD — A therapeutic horse program has been selected to take over and renovate a controversial stable whose previous operators were investigated after six horses died in a few months.
GallopNYC is in the process of finalizing its contract with the Parks Department to operate Gemini Fields and Cedar Lane Stables in Lindenwood, to meet the high demand for its rehabilitative treatment for riders, according to officials.
The group currently works with 350 riders at five locations across the city — Jamaica Bay, Bronx Equestrian, Riverdale and Lynn's Riding Center in Forest Hills, as well as bringing horses a few times a week from Jamaica Bay to Prospect Park.
But there's still a waitlist that's more than double the number of riders they can accommodate, according to Alicia Kershaw, who runs the program.
"Our goal of this site is to expand and get more people riding," she said, adding that the majority of their clients are children who are on the autism spectrum, but they also serve people "with every disability you can think of," as well as veterans.
The Parks Department put out a request for proposals in August for a new operator of the site, which would include renovations to the stables.
A spokeswoman for the Parks Department said GallopNYC "demonstrated the strongest long-term financial solvency, outreach programming, job training and potential to make a positive impact on the local community."
Once the contract is finalized, GallopNYC intends to spend the summer renovating the space and plans to open by the fall, Kershaw said.
GallopNYC relies mostly on private funds and subsidizes riders with help from fundraisers — like a Kentucky Derby party this weekend and a "barn raising" on May 19.
Once relocated, GallopNYC will continue to work at sites throughout the city to ensure riders continued access, Kershaw said.
The stables were temporarily shut down in 2013 after six horses died there within a few months. The ASPCA didn't find any evidence of cruelty after conducting an investigation, according to a report.
