Tri-Co Trail Assn.
History
The First 25 Years
Tri-Co was established in 1967 when the club took over the charter of the Hilltop Riders club. It was decided to take the name Tri-County Trail Association since its founding members came from Stark, Tuscarawas and Carroll counties in Ohio. Founding members included Al Zaleski, Gust & Audrey Malavite, Jerri & Hank Fitch, Janet Halter, George VanPelt, Pinky Cooper and Harry McNutt. By the end of 1967, the club already had 49 members. Trail preservation and protection has been and will remain the main focus of Tri-Co Trails.
Over the years, the club has had many different activities. In May of 1967, the club hosted its first endurance ride. In 1969, the club's first Trailways Newsletter was published by Audrey Malavite. In 1970, the club held its first Fun Show. Many founding members will remember the Relay races that were held through the early 1980s. For a while, the club was graciously allowed to use Malavite's large indoor arena, and Winter Horse Shows were a main fund-raiser of the club. 1971 was when the first Annual Banquet was held. It was also the first year that the club rode in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Parade. Our club has been invited back and has participated in this parade every year since. Also in 1971, Gust Malavite offered Tri-Co the use of a campsite area on their property. A work party was organized, and Gust excavated a road to it for us. Our club camped at this campsite through 1987. Tri-Co became active in the efforts to preserve trails throughout our area and our state. Tri-Co began holding the monthly meetings at the East Sparta Community Building in December of 1974. We continue to hold our meetings from October through April there. Meetings from May through September are held at the campground. In 1976, Tri-Co sent maps of our trails to the Ohio Horse Council, who was putting together a book of campgrounds and trails in Ohio. 1977 was the first year that Tri-Co sponsored a Ride-A-Thon for the United Way. This was an annual event for several years. In 1981 and 1982, the club ran Haunted Hayrides.
In 1988 Tri-Co purchased 15 acres of land in the Bear Creek area to build a horseman’s camp. This was possible by members giving the club personal loans and donations. This new "campsite" was basically a dense stand of woods! After many hours of hard work and dedication, the Tri-Co's Horsemen's Centre was opened. Personal campsites were made available to members for $100.00 per year in 1989. By 1990, the club had an enclosed shelter, a storage shed, electricity and several water pumps. The private campsites had been leased and corrals were being constructed on them. In 1992 Tri-Co Trails Association celebrated its 25th Anniversary!
The Second 25 Years
There have been many other activities and events since 1992 for Tri-Co. This section will be completed in the near future.
The Horsemen's Centre now boasts a beautiful facility complete with a large cement floored pavilion, with kitchen, a campground which has many areas for open camping, pit toilets, horse wash rack, water hydrants throughout the camp, and many tie-lines and hitching posts. The club maintains over 50 miles of color-coded trails passing through beautiful wood and rolling hills.
Directions to the Camp from nearest main route:
I-77 to Exit 99 at Fohl Road, go east about 1 mile to Dueber Ave. SW, turn south for 4 miles to Downing St. SW, turn left to horse camp on right (about ¼ mile)