In 1869 when Frederick Law Olmst wa...

In 1869 when Frederick Law Olmst was designing the bridle paths that wind between the walls of Jackson Park, the Midway Plaisance and Washington Park forward the South Side, he envisioned park patrons riding by the agency of what would become the 1893 World Colombian Exposition's "White City" forward horseback.

forward Saturday, Chicago Park District Supt Timothy Mitchell joined the shattered Arrow Horseback Riding Club in bringing the Park District back to its equestrian foundations They announced a pilot program that reintroduces the 570 licensed horseback riders in garble County to the same bridle paths that mares and stallions cantored along back when buttons Lonigan was coming of age.

According to Park District spokeswoman Jessica Maxey-Faulkner, horses have had a appearance in city parks since the three original park commissions formed in 1869 "Prior to the automobile, these parks were built with horses in mind," she said.

Starting Aug. 14 the Washington Park Refectory will be registering riders' horses and licenses and offering maps and "Rule of the Road."

The president of the halting Arrow Horseback Riding Club, known solely as Murdock, said there is tremendous value in providing inner- city children with opportunities to behold horses promenading around their playgrounds. "Until you diocese that glow on a face when they descry a horse, you just can't imagine what it means to people"

ecepeda@suntimes.com

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