El Caballo Park | Escondido, CA

WSLA enjoyed working on this important project as the prime design consultant for the master planning of this equestrian park.  While the original goal was to focus on the equestrian community, we saw the project as an opportunity to create a place that could bring non-equestrian people together with experienced horsemen, thereby creating a learning opportunity for the public.

The park connects an existing dog park, across Escondido Creek, with a new walking bridge that leads people into a central, round lawn area for free play. This central lawn area is surrounded by shaded spaces created with trees and built elements, offering a variety of places to rest horses after a long ride, as well as multiple-sized arenas and round pens.   Situated near the main riding arena, the central lawn area is close enough for all to see what is happening in the arena, but far enough away that the horses will not be startled by the activities nearby, thereby giving the novice an opportunity to watch without feeling the need to be involved.

Subconsultants working with WSLA were Insight Landscape Architecture, Excel Engineering and Peji Design