Midpen’s board of directors approved a new management agreement for Bear Creek Stables, located within Midpen’s Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, with the local nonprofit Friends of Bear Creek Stables. The Friends group will oversee day-to-day stables operations and provide public programming while Midpen focuses on its core mission of land preservation, environmental restoration and ecologically sensitive public access.
Under this new model, every person boarding a horse at the stables will participate in public programming as a volunteer, creating a unique culture of service and community connection.
The Friends group has demonstrated their capacity to manage the stables. The group began overseeing day-to-day operations in January 2025, while the details of a longer-term agreement with Midpen were being negotiated.
The two-year agreement that the Midpen board approved February 25, 2026, includes a business plan, public programming and fundraising goals for the Friends group. Following the initial two-year agreement, there will be options for two five-year term extensions.
As the Friends manage the daily stables operation, Midpen is fulfilling its commitment to improve the 100-year-old stables’ infrastructure. Much of the initial phase of Midpen’s improvement plan has already been completed. This included essential repairs to water lines, road hardening and erosion control.
Looking ahead, the next phase will bring more enhancements including ADA-accessible parking, new restrooms and a dedicated caretaker house.