Are Horses Coming To Roosevelt Island? RIOC Real Estate Development Committee Agenda Item Includes Presentation On Proposed Equestrian Center

 Image From Animal Planet

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
AMENDED AGENDA
1. Potential Uses of Sportspark Mezzanine;
2. Availability of Additional Community Spaces;
3. Retail Master Lease Performance;
4. Presentation Regarding a Proposed Equestrian Center; and
5. Any Other Committee Business That May be Brought Before the Committee.

The Roosevelt Island Child School Director and RIOC Director Sal Ferrera has expressed interest in the past to develop an equestrian center on Roosevelt Island. According to this 2011 NY Daily News article:

... "We could create a miracle," said Sal Ferrera, the school's executive director. "All the research I've done tells me the equine therapy does wonders for kids that are facing learning challenges."

Ferrera said he'd like to see an indoor equestrian arena with a handful of horses and a circular 21/2-mile riding path built on the island

Here's a video showing the Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center.


Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center from Ann Jessen on Vimeo.

No matter how beneficial therapeutic horse riding may be for special needs children, the question becomes if it is appropriate for a small residential community such as Roosevelt Island?