Excerpts of WRSHP Equestrian & Livestock Management Plan
Will Rogers is famous for many reasons – as a vaudeville performer of rope tricks mixed with cowboy humor and as the highest paid movie star in Hollywood in the early 1930s. He was a uniquely American humorist and philosopher, an avid aviator, and an international figure. He was known as America’s Favorite Cowboy, and near the end of his life he lived on a ranch in Pacific Palisades. That ranch is now a state park, nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Horses and equestrian activities are a vital element of interpreting Will Rogers’ California ranch, now known as Will Rogers State Historic Park.
The purpose of the Equestrian and Livestock Management Plan is to provide guidelines and standards for equestrian and livestock activities at Will Rogers State Historic Park. Rather than prescribing specific activities or programs, this Plan contains policies and criteria that will assist Park staff and managers in determining which equestrian activities ought to occur, and the manner in which they should be carried out.
One of the goals of this plan is to have horses and other livestock at the Park, as visitors and as residents. By having livestock at the Park, visitors will experience the Park as it was in the 1930s, when it was a working ranch and the home of Will Rogers and his family. Although boarding (1) of privately-owned horses was allowed at one time, this activity is not contemplated in this Plan (see Appendix B).
1. Brief History
Will Rogers State Historic Park is located in Pacific Palisades, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It was the home of Will Rogers, his wife Betty, and their three children from 1928 to 1935. In 1935, Will Rogers died in a plane crash near Point Barrows, Alaska. Betty continued to live at the ranch until her death in 1944. She arranged to donate the ranch and its 186 surrounding acres to the State of California, and in August 1944 the ranch became a state park.
The ranch was a refuge and source of deep pleasure for Will Rogers, where he could relax with his family and close friends. Horses, roping, and polo were integral aspects of life at the ranch from the outset. When he bought the land in 1925, he first built temporary stables and a corral, and graded the polo field using a team of mules. Initially, he built a simple 6-room one story cabin, which eventually became the 31-room ranch house with two wings and a large connecting patio. He created a roping ring and a large stable with an elegant rotunda. The stable, called the “barn” by the family, was the center of activity and was equally, if not more, important than the house. An arena was built outside the stable, in a long and narrow configuration ideal for trick riding. A mule barn, hay barn, blacksmith shop, carpenter’s shop, and ranch foreman’s home were built across from the arena and stables.
Betty Rogers said that the ranch was the joy of Will Rogers’ life. With his polo field, his stables, roping corral, horses, and bridle trails into the hills, he had just about everything he wanted. He played polo frequently, and made a team with his three children, Mary, Jim, and Will Jr. All of the children learned to ride, rope, play polo, and do tricks on horseback under his tutelage. He spent hours with them practicing their riding and roping skills. Whenever Will was in town, there were polo games with show business luminaries such as Walt Disney, Spencer Tracy, Lesley Howard, and Clark Gable. Many famous movie stars, politicians, businessmen, and titled people visited the ranch and enjoyed its easy-going hospitality and outdoor living.
2. Park Operations and Activities
Will Rogers State Historic Park is open daily. Park users pay a fee to park on the property, and may take guided tours of the ranch with staff or volunteer docents, enjoy the open spaces of the polo field and lawns, and make use of the picnic area. They may hike or bike the 3-mile loop trail to Inspiration Point, and from there continue onto the large system of trails, including the Backbone Trail, by which they can go further into the Santa Monica Mountains. Equestrians can ride from Will Rogers to Topanga State Park, where there is an equestrian camp.
The ranch has been modified over the years to serve the public and to accommodate maintenance needs of a state park. The Guest House currently serves as the visitor center. Employee offices are located in the Guest House, the Ranch House, and the Ranch Foreman’s Quarters.
Until 2001, horse boarding and horseback riding were significant activities at the Park. As described in the following section, horse boarding was suspended in 2001. Since then, the main activities at the Park are the weekend polo matches sponsored by the Will Rogers Polo Association from April through October, weekend soccer matches during the fall, and daily ranch tours.
2.1 Policies Governing WRSHP
A number of plans govern the uses and activities of the Park. These plans include the 1974 Interpretive Plan, the 1992 General Plan, and the 2003 Historic Landscape Management Plan. Several reports also contain relevant guidelines and policy suggestions. These include the 2001 Resource and Management Issues Report, the 2002 Interpretive Strategy Report, and the 2002 Equestrian Advisory Committee Report.
In addition to Department policies, the 1944 Grant Deed transferring the property to the State of California specified that the park must be used as a public park and a monument to the memory of Will Rogers. It contains a clause stipulating that any violation of the deed would cause the estate to revert to the family of Will Rogers.
See Appendix A for a summary of the General Plan, Historic Landscape Management Plan, and Interpretive Plan policies.
2.2 The Controversy over Boarded Horses
Beginning in the early 1950s, the Department allowed privately-owned horses to be boarded at the Park. A variety of concessionaires and contract mechanisms were used to manage the boarding operation. Boarding became a controversial issue because of the private use of public property, damage to the integrity of the historic structures and landscape, and concerns over soil erosion and water quality.
In 2001, the controversy over boarding at the Park reached its peak, with the family of Will Rogers expressing concerns that the Department’s operation of the Park was not consistent with the terms of the Grant Deed. In addition, articles appeared in the Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times, describing the conflict about boarding. Further, the Department’s auditors reviewed the boarding operator’s compliance with the terms of the lease, and found that there were significant violations and questions about the financial accounting.
In 2001, Department staff reviewed the history of equestrian operations at the Park. The staff report recommended, among other things, that Department should prepare an Equestrian Management Plan. (2)
In November 2001, the Department suspended boarding of privately-owned horses, effective January 10, 2002. The Department took this step to have an opportunity to conduct detailed studies of the situation, make necessary facility repairs and restoration, and begin planning for future equestrian use at the Park.
The boarders filed a lawsuit to prevent the Department from suspending boarding at the Park. In the case, Genesses Rivera, et al. vs Rusty Areias, et al., Case # SS010545, the court found for the Department based on three factors: first, the court found that the deed did not specify the level of equestrian activity required at the Park. Second, the General Plan contemplated equestrian activities among many other activities at the Park, which could continue even if the boarding of horses was suspended. Third, equestrian activities in the Park are conditioned on the activities not causing damage or risk to the environment. The Court concluded, therefore, that temporary removal of the horses from WRSHP was not a violation of either the deed or the General Plan. The order reserved the right of the petitioners to bring further action if the temporary suspension became permanent or of so long a duration as to become permanent. The court made no findings as to the appropriate method of providing for equestrian activity or presence at the Park, thus leaving it to the discretion of the Department as to how it would fulfill the General Plan requirement for equestrian activity. (3)
2.3 Equestrian Advisory Committee
The Department convened an Equestrian Advisory Committee for WRSHP. The group was charged with developing recommendations on appropriate equestrian activities at the
Park. Between February and August 2002, the 26 Committee members met one or two times each month. Members included individuals and organizations with concerns about environmental protection, historic preservation, equestrian activities, the neighborhood, and polo. Members of the Rogers family also participated in the Committee.
In its December 2002 report, the Committee described equestrian activities that could take place at the Park as part of an interpretive program. The Committee did not conduct economic studies, but evaluated a range of equestrian activities for their consistency with the General Plan, historic preservation, interpretation of Will Rogers and his time, and the Rogers family grant deed. They recommended that all equestrian activities be evaluated by and consistent with applicable provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the Public Resources Code. The Committee’s recommendations for equestrian activities at the Park were:
• Maintain Equestrian Presence
• Display Horse Artifacts (carriages and horse-drawn equipment)
• Offer Horsemanship Classes (grooming, saddling, care, and handling)
• Conduct Wrangler and Horse Shoeing Demonstrations
• Offer Rental Horses and Trail Riding
• Offer Riding and Roping Lessons
• Continue Polo Matches
• Develop a Wrangler School
The Committee made other recommendations for improving park operations and also recommended creating a mechanism for ongoing community input into equestrian activities.
2.4 Restoration of Historic Landscape and Structures
In 2001 and 2002, the Department conducted a series of reports and evaluations of the conditions at the Park. Among these were a Resource and Management Issues report; several historic structures reports; an Interpretive Strategy Report; and an assessment of ecological conditions at the Park. In March 2003, the Department adopted an Historic Landscape Management Plan, which contains policies and guidelines for restoring the Park to its appearance in the early 1930s.
Subsequently, the Department has embarked on a program of restoration and repairs to the Park. The ranch house is being restored, with new climate control systems installed to better preserve the historic structure and the collection of Rogers family furnishings and objects displayed at the house. Restoration of the historic landscape is underway, including removal of trees that have grown large and now block the views desired by Will Rogers when he designed the ranch. Fence lines are being restored to their appearance in 1935. The practice polo arena on Sarah’s Point has been removed (as a non-historic facility). The area will be restored, with Sarah’s Pasture recreated as a multi-use facility for pasture, biofiltration, drainage detention, riding lessons, equestrian events, and overflow parking.
3. Equestrian Management Plan
This document is a policy plan with guidelines and standards that govern development of an equestrian program at the Park. It is a tool for managing equestrian interpretive programs, special events, and agreements that will assist Park management in balancing equestrian activities with historic preservation, other interpretive activities, and general Park operations.
These policies and criteria create a framework of allowable uses and desired outcomes of an equestrian program. As a policy plan, this document does not prescribe which activities or programs should occur, the intensity of any specific activity, nor the locations for such activities. Those questions shall be addressed by Park management when implementing this plan through an equestrian program. The equestrian program will vary, depending on the Park budget, staff, and other resources available. This approach offers Park managers the flexibility to determine which equestrian activities ought to occur, and the manner in which they should be carried out.
3.1 Background
After boarding was suspended in 2001, the Department completed its evaluation of the Park, and recommended the development of an Equestrian Management Plan. The Equestrian Advisory Committee also recommended developing an Equestrian Management Plan.
Preparation of this Plan began in March 2005. Department staff conducted a series of informal meetings with a wide range of community members, interest groups, and Department staff to obtain information. Staff also reviewed the General Plan, Equestrian Advisory Committee Report, Historic Landscape Management Plan, the Interpretive Plan, Interpretive Strategy Report, and other relevant documents. One public meeting took place in April 2005 to obtain community input on the scope and contents of the Plan. A second public meeting will take place to obtain comments on the Draft Plan prior to adoption by the Department.
3.2 Objectives
a. Equestrian activities will be part of a balanced program of events and activities that inform the public about
Will Rogers as a horseman and as a man who made extraordinary contributions to American history, folk life, and
national character.
b. By learning about the care and management of horses, polo, roping, and riding, the general public will
experience something of the Rogers family’s lifestyle at the ranch when they visit WRSHP. Will Rogers loved
horses, polo, roping, and trick riding. These are the activities he enjoyed with family and friends at his
California ranch.
3.3 General Policies
a. The Department intends to have a program of regularly scheduled equestrian activities and
events at WRSHP. The events and activities shall have an interpretive and/or educational component.
b. At its discretion, the Department may allow horses or other livestock to live at the Park, consistent with
Section 3.6 below.
c. When feasible, the Department will use Mounted Patrol at WRSHP.
3.4 Policies for use of the Historic Stables
a. The Historic Stables will be restored to and maintained in their 1935-condition as financial resources
are available for the restoration.
b. Horses shall not stay overnight in the Historic Stables.
c. Horses may be placed in the Historic Stables for day-use only for educational or interpretive programs or for
special events. All such use of the Historic Stables shall be subject to terms and conditions specified by
Park Management, including but not limited to requirements for repair of impacts to the historic structure.
3.5 Policies for Equestrian Activities
a. Permission to use Park facilities for equestrian activities shall be at the discretion of Park Management.
b. Activities shall have a public benefit and be open to the public.
c. Activities shall have interpretive value, relating to Will Rogers’ California ranch life-style, the workings of a
ranch, the care and management of horses, or other connection to Will Rogers. Equestrian activities could
include (but are not limited to) horse shoeing, riding lessons, programs for the disabled, horsemanship, trick riding
or roping, polo, trail riding, dressage, and jumping clinics and demonstrations.
d. Horse program providers or operators shall be experienced and reliable providers of services, and
shall present references and qualifications to Park Management.
e. Park Management may authorize multiple-day special events such as clinics, shows,
demonstrations, or performances.
f. Privately-owned horses may board temporarily at the Park for special events or activities. There shall be
a limit of 3 consecutive nights for privately-owned horses to board temporarily at the Park, unless
Park Management extends this limit for events of longer duration.
g. Temporary boarding of horses or other livestock may occur in Jimmy’s Barn or in portable corrals erected on
Sarah’s Point or at another location determined by Park Management.
h. Park Management may limit use of equestrian facilities in consideration of safety, footing, and other concerns.
The frequency of events and the number of participants may also be limited by the condition of the
footing in the riding arenas, Sarah’s Point, the trails, and other facilities.
3.6 Policies for Resident Livestock
a. Park Management may determine that horses or livestock used for interpretive or educational programs
or public service or available for use by the general public may live at the Park. Examples of such
livestock include:
• Horses or mules used for mounted patrol;
• Horses or mules used for lessons or demonstrations;
• Goats, cattle, and calves used for demonstrations;
• Animals used for grazing to manage brush; and
• Horses or mules used for public trail rides.
b. Privately-owned horses shall not be boarded at the Park.
c. The number of animals living at the Park shall be determined by a variety of operational conditions, including:
• season, rainfall, and soil condition;
• condition of pastures and forage; and
• staff, budget, and other management concerns.
d. Park Management will develop and implement a regular pasture rotation program.
3.7 Performance Standards and Best Management Practices
a. Any equestrian program shall begin with small scale activities on a pilot basis. Park Management may then
expand the pilot program to use more horses or offer more frequent services.
b. Park Management may limit equestrian programs in order to reduce environmental impacts.
c. If Park Management determines that it is appropriate and necessary for horses to reside at the Park for
interpretive or educational purposes, then those resident horses will be kept primarily in pastures.
They may be kept overnight in Jimmy’s Barn for health and safety reasons or in inclement weather.
d. Mitt, Heart, and Bone Canyon pastures may be used for livestock as long as the animals are
rotated among the pastures so as to maintain adequate forage. To maintain forage, livestock
must be removed periodically.
e. Pastures shall be managed to provide forage and to meet the requirements of the Historic Landscape
Management Plan.
f. Pastures and trails shall be managed to minimize polluted runoff and erosion using best management practices.
g. Jimmy’s Barn, temporary corrals, the Historic Stables, and any other animal facilities shall be maintained in
sanitary condition, with regular removal of manure and bedding.
h. All hay and feed used on the premises shall be certified “weed free.”
i. Facilities for storing feed, hay, and other supplies shall be consistent with the historic character of the Park.
j. Unless there are inadequate resources, the Department will:
• provide appropriate and safe footing in areas used for equestrian activities;
• regularly groom the riding and roping arenas and the riding area on Sarah’s Point;
• provide regular maintenance of trails; and
• provide appropriate maintenance of the polo field.
k. The Department may further specify maintenance criteria and responsibilities in maintenance plans,
special event permits, or contracts with third-party users of the facilities.
1) “Boarding” refers to housing, care, and feeding of resident animals.
2) Resources and Management Issues at Will Rogers State Historic Park. September 2001
3) Judge Terry B. Friedman's order dated March 8, 2002.
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