Thirty-eight horse trail signs have recently been installed in the Darling Downs Equestrian Park (DDEP).
The DDEP comprises about 76 hectares of reserves, which include more than 21 kilometres of trails. Currently, a large community uses this extensive network of trails and other DDEP facilities more than 16,000 times annually, according to the Darling Downs Residents Association (DDRA), which conducts maintenance and development of these trails and facilities.
The DDRA has been receiving reports for some time of issues the community faces with the layout of the area.
“Community members have indicated that the extensive network of trails in the DDEP is somewhat bewildering, so these Public Open Spaces are not readily usable,” the signage modification proposal read.
“Additionally, some users have pointed out that fire and ambulance services have difficulty responding to emergencies in the DDEP because it is hard to find locations within the labyrinth of trails. A common theme of user community feedback is that the lack of adequate signage on the DDEP trails significantly exacerbates these problems.
“To address the lack of signage, the DDRA is initiating a project to provide appropriate trail signposting. As a first step in planning the project, the DDRA has collaborated with the user community to determine where signposts are needed to help people better use the DDEP and assist the emergency services.”
More than two decades ago, a signage project was undertaken by the DDRA, though a comprehensive trail naming convention was not applied, and very few signs were provided.
The previous signage did not give clear directions or navigational context to help the user community or emergency services find their way around the trails. Consequently, it was thought to be more confusing than helpful. The existing signs are also now in a very old state, and many are broken.
Due to the DDRA’s status as a not-for-profit, it has received an $11,000 community grant from Bendigo Bank and $25,000 from the WA Government, organised by Member for Darling Range Hugh Jones.
Given the significance of this event to the SJ equine community, a celebration will be held to commemorate the official commencement of the new signage on 21 July at 10:30am.
In attendance will be Hugh Jones MLA, Member for Darling Range, Rob Coales, Shire President of Serpentine Jarrahdale, various SJ councillors and administrators and Members of the Community Bank Byford & Districts.
DDRA President Bruce Hilliard said he believes that several key benefits have been brought by the renewed and improved signage.
“People now seem to be more willing to explore the maze of DDEP trails, and this appears to be increasing the use of this important Public Open Space. For example, the Facebook user group has already grown by over 200 people since the signs were installed,” he said.
“By implementing the signs, the large user community, roughly 4700 people, can now utilise common naming for the trails. This makes it easier to report problems and incidents, so they can be addressed expeditiously.
“The signage has also facilitated better community cohesion, as many people now use them to help manage the group rides and walks.”
