Danada Equestrian Center
Since 1984, the Danada Equestrian Center, located within the Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton, has provided educational and recreational equestrian experiences for DuPage County residents. The Center is operated by volunteers with supervision and oversight from a few Forest Preserve employees. Danada programs are designed to give a holistic approach to horses and their daily care and to teach basic riding skills to participants 12 and older. Programs include introductory and advanced horsemanship classes, group tours, summer camps, seminars and clinics. Horse-drawn hayrides and sleigh rides are available seasonally for groups and individuals. In addition, on the second Sunday of every October, the equestrian center hosts the Danada Fall Festival, a day-long celebration of the horse that features demonstrations by several breeds, educational displays, food, music and children’s activities.The Danada Equestrian Center uses a 26-stall Kentucky barn and outdoor arena to offer year-round programs to the public. Activities include group, private or semi-private horseback-riding lessons, “Horse Sense” and “Riding Sense”camps for children, and guided tours of the barn including meeting a Danada horse. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County purchased the property in 1980 and opened the Equestrian Center in 1984. The number of horses who call Danada home varies from 20-25. The horses earn their keep by being used in the riding program, or painting as in Nick’s case, or enjoying a well-deserved retirement as in the case of Rosie and June, two Percheron draft horses. The Center is managed by Forest Preserve staff with the help of roughly 100 volunteers who work weekly 4-hour shifts involving horse care and site maintenance. The Danada volunteers complete 15 hours of training before starting. Volunteer applications are accepted throughout the year; volunteer orientation takes place twice a year. Volunteers must be 14 years of age. In order to take the riding lessons at Danada, which are offered April through October, applicants must be 12 or older. Many adults participate! The Spring, Summer and Winter Camps are for children 10-14 years of age; the camps introduce kids to the daily activities of a working barn, and include horse related arts, crafts and games. Throughout the year, groups can schedule a guided tour of the barn including the history of Danada. (link to Forest Preserve site about Danada: http://www.dupageforest.com/danada/).