TRABUCO CANYON : Riding to Rescue of Park’s Addition

Arroyo Trabuco, a 1,000-acre expanse laced with riding and hiking trails, was just days from opening to the public last year when Orange County filed for bankruptcy protection.

The financial crisis froze funding, meaning that money was no longer available for patrolling or maintaining the scenic extension of O’Neill Regional Park.

A local equestrian club, longtime users of the park, rode to the rescue. Saddleback Riders, composed of 100 horse owners who live in the rural canyon areas near O’Neill Park, volunteered to keep up the trails and provide mounted patrols.

Thanks to their efforts, the wilderness area is now open.

“Make no mistake,” park supervisor Tim Miller said. “If they didn’t adopt the park, the Arroyo Trabuco would not be open.”

The group’s decision was easy and “maybe a little bit selfish,” spokesman Don Carr said. “We consider it to be our park because we all live nearby. To us it was a case of, if somebody doesn’t take care of the park, it won’t get done.”

The equestrians, who gained access to six miles of rustic trails, have been pushing for years to see the area opened, Carr said. “It’s beautiful and challenging. It’s full of wildlife. We can ride through here and see deer just standing and watching us.”

Arroyo Trabuco is also open to hikers and mountain bikers.

Though they won’t have law enforcement powers, the Saddleback Riders, who are affiliated with the statewide group Environmental Trails, say they will watch out for anyone in distress or causing damage to the park.

Miller said the equestrians “have been helping us in the park for many years. . . . They appreciate nature, and what they’re doing is giving back.”