Winter storm collapses equestrian center at Madison County’s Fred Young Park

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — The equestrian center at Fred Young Park is a pile of rubble following a winter storm in late January that caused significant damage to Madison County Parks and Recreation facilities.

The building, which previously hosted horse shows and rodeos, was added to the park three years ago. Madison County Parks and Recreation Executive Director Matthew Martin said the extent of the damage came as a surprise.

“I didn’t believe it, until I saw the pictures, and it was a shock to the system but you know it is what it is, things happen, could’ve been worse, there wasn’t any horses out here, no people, nobody got hurt,” Martin said.

Martin said the equestrian center represented the most severe damage across county park facilities, though other locations sustained minor damage as well.

“This is our major damage to most of our parks, we had a little bit, some minor stuff here and there but this was the biggie right here,” Martin said.

Despite the destruction, Martin said the damage is expected to be covered by insurance. All events previously planned for the facility have been postponed until further notice.

Madison County Parks and Recreation is accepting renovation ideas at parksandrec@madisoncountytn.gov.

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