Golf Pro Template
The Oaks, under construction in the Gainesville area of north Florida, in Lake City is modeled on successful golf-industry branding and management concepts, similar to communities that boast an Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus golf course.

Designed by Equestrian Services, LLC, the 1,222 acre community will be the first exclusively-branded O’Connor Signature equestrian facility, certified by equestrian experts and Olympians Karen and David O’Connor. The project is being developed by Dicks Realty, a family-owned development company, based in Lake City.

“Many times developers believe they know best but when the equestrian enthusiast comes, they say, ‘Who designed this?’  We have something that is designed by equestrians for equestrians,” said Brad Dicks, co-owner of Dicks Realty.­“We employed the expertise of Equestrian Services to design a community that meets the daily needs and dreams of the equestrian owner.

During the design process the O’Connor Signature program became available,” he said. “After a personal site visit by David O’Connor, we were granted the privilege to become the first branded equestrian facility in the world.”

When completed in 2008, it will feature more than 260 acres of open space and parks, more than 40 acres of fenced pasture, a 76 acre Gold O’Connor Signature competition quality equestrian center, cross-country course, stables and an outdoor arena.

On the home front, the development will accommodate 234 home sites, including 136 equestrian estate lots and 98 traditional lots with 15 miles of meandering trails for riding, hiking, jogging and walking throughout the community. Factoring in the amount of land needed for the array of amenities, the development averages out to approximately one dwelling for every five acres of land space, Dicks said. 

Residential lot sizes range from one and two acres up to larger four and one half to five and one half acre equestrian farmettes. Residents on the smaller lots can board or lease a horse from the central equestrian barn or, on the larger lots, stable their horses on their property.

“From where we have traveled, we have not found anything like this,” Dicks said. “The lots have direct access to greenways and recreation areas and all the trails are loop systems. You can use the main facility or within your own neighborhood, there are equestrian recreation areas.”  

The first phase of The Oaks is currently being marketed with the completion of the equestrian center expected in March. David O’Connor is scheduled to return to The Oaks in November to complete the design of the 12 acre cross country course.

“The facilities and amenities that will be incorporated into the community and landscape will ensure all community members may take full advantage of the equestrian lifestyle,” David O’Connor said.

New Ruralism
The Donovans contend that the attraction to equestrian centers and amenities is one manifestation of an overall movement they and others call, “New Ruralism.”

They say the “American Dream” of a nice home, friendly neighbors and satisfying work and play still exists, but has changed. The flow of people over the course of the last century from the country into cities and suburbs is reversing somewhat as people crave a closer connection to nature and the outdoors. But they still want the services and conveniences of city living.

They contend that New Ruralism encompasses the best of rural living with the best of suburban living and is being sought by a demographic spread from young adults with families to active baby-boomers set to leave the workforce.

“Drawn to a simpler time, New Ruralism neighborhoods are being developed where community connection, safety and activity for children, and the natural environment are the centerpieces,” the Donovans wrote in a recent article. “With dedicated open space and connections to a natural environment at the heart of the New Ruralism concept, community residents find it easier to connect with neighbors while also maintaining their privacy.”

They say that nearly two million people own the 9.2 million horses in the United States, with another two million people involved as equestrian volunteers or engaged in the equestrian lifestyle through family affiliation. Based on information from the American Horse Council Foundation (AHCF) horseback riding is among the five fastest growing sports in the U.S. SLDT