Wagon rides available in Anderson Park

RIDING IN THE PARK: Janis Hill of Cottonwood brings her horse and cart to the Mosquito Serenade each week and offers rides around the park in her horse-drawn wagon.

The pastoral clip-clop of horse hooves rhythmically striking asphalt at a slow, syncopated pace are once again a welcome sound in Anderson River Park.

Most summer Wednesday evenings - just prior to Mosquito Serenade - weekends and other special occasions scheduled for the park throughout the mild-weathered months, Janis Hill and her horse-drawn wagon can be found offering nostalgic rides to the curious, the romantic and the adventurous.

"This is a unique experience for our community and our park users. I can't think of another park in the north state that has something like this," said Ken Hartman, Anderson's parks and recreation director, when the idea was first proposed in mid-June by Hill, owner of Dove Hollow Farm in Cottonwood.

"Ms. Hill is an accomplished and experienced horsewoman and wagon driver," Hartman told Anderson's five-member city council prior to their unanimous consent to allow the concession to operate.

"If they do it in (New York City's) Central Park, it is good enough for Anderson River Park," said council member Melissa Hunt.

Hill, who retired June 30 from a career with Shasta Animal Control, has previously provided horse and wagon services to weddings, festivals and special events held sporadically at the Anderson River Park, but this is her first venture at making it a regular feature for park visitors. She recently retired her horse from regular wagon pulls through Old Sacramento

"I have more fun than anyone down there," Hill told the council regarding the wagon rides that she has previously provided.

Under a use agreement also approved by the council, Hill agrees to operate under and display a City of Anderson business license; provide a certificate of insurance for at least $1 million that names the city as an additional insured; provide for inspection of her equipment, tack and animals at any time by city staff or animal control officer of the city; and diaper or make other arrangements to contain and dispose of any horse droppings.

Hill has also agreed to provide the city with a ridership count and make a donation to the city's Mosquito Serenade concert series.

The agreement runs from June 10 through Oct. 18, but may be cancelled upon 24-hour notice in writing or verbally by either party.

As compensation for her services, Hill will be permitted to charge her passengers a fare.

"My fares cost from $5 to $10 per person, depending on the length of the drive. Children age 4 and younger are free as long as they ride with a paying adult passenger," Hill stated in a May 22 letter to Hartman when initially proposing the service.