Monday’s public hearing saw no opposition to preliminary plans for an equine camp in Egg Harbor.
Penny and Dave Geitner presented preliminary plans to the town board and other attendees for the establishment of Geitner Homestead Equine Campground, a 10-acre parcel on the family’s 97-acre farm in County I. The campground proposal would be on the west side of Oak Road which divides the property and would have 29 campsites with water and electric hookups. Preliminary plans indicate that 20 of the 29 sites will have steel gate panel corrals, each equal to two 12-foot-by-12 foot stalls. Seventeen of the 29 sites will have pull-through campsites.
Future plans include the addition of rustic, moveable cabins without running water or electric service to some sites. The bathroom and shower facilities are being designed in draft form. There will be three toilets, three sinks, and three shower stations in the women’s toilet; and two toilets for men and two sinks.
This plan would allow the family to continue the farm through a combination of a passion for agriculture and a background as a tourist. The family also owned Baileys Sunset Motel in Baileys Harbor and Cottages there for 16 years. The Geitners decided to sell the motel after none of their children expressed interest in the family business. However, their youngest daughter expressed an interest in keeping the family farm going.
After the public hearing that lasted less than 25 minutes, Dave Geitner stated that “it’s a natural coexistence between two different pieces: agriculture and horseback riding within Door County.” It’s a niche that is well-served by local riding groups. There is also a demand for it in the community.
Geitner stated that he sees the campground as a place for riders who live within an hour’s drive of Door County and want to ride their horses in a new area but are unable to transport their animals far.
He said, “This allows people to get away within an hour of home, do some riding, and then be in a position to go out to enjoy all that Door County has to give.”
Next, the Geitners plan to present their plans before the Town Plan Commission. The date has yet to be set.