Notice of Management Change
Effective January 1, 2023, Chaparral Country Corporation will be the new operator for Bear Creek Stables, located at 19100 Bear Creek Rd. in Los Gatos.
This change will affect all boarders. To continue boarding services at Bear Creek Stables, all current boarders will need to enter into a new agreement with Chaparral Country Corporation before December 5, 2022, as all existing boarding agreements will expire December 31, 2022.
District staff and representatives from Chaparral will be on site Saturday, November 19 from 9 – 11 a.m. to answer questions.
If you wish to continuing boarding at Bear Creek Stables, please email your contact information, your current stall number and name(s) of your horse(s) to PM@openspace.org.
Located within Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, Bear Creek Stables is a boarding and training facility for over 70 horses that has been in operation since the 1930s. Dr. Harry L. Tevis first developed the site in 1916 to accommodate his Tennessee walking horses on his extensive estate. Following the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s acquisition of the site in 1999, the stable has continued under lease with a tenant.
Midpen is keeping the century-old horse stable operational by completing capital maintenance and repairs that allow existing uses and public programs to continue. Planning and permitting are currently underway for capital maintenance and repair projects. These include:
- Repairing existing structures
- Replacing the caretaker’s cottage with a pre-fabricated residence
- Replacing the public restroom, septic and leach field
- Updating ADA parking, water system and driveway
In 2022, Midpen completed a competitive process to pursue a multiyear agreement with a selected concessionaire for operation of the Bear Creek Stables. Chaparral Country Corporation (Chaparral) was identified as the highest ranked candidate with the experience and background to implement the board-approved operational goals for the stables. Chaparral’s submittals and interviews demonstrate that they have the expertise, experience, resources and shared purpose to effectively manage and operate the stables and lead the public programs that are allowed at the site.
In response to public comment about the proposal process and the changes to the stables operations, please see these clarifying answers.