09/22/2026
September 17, 2026
The Bill Kennedy family has a long legacy as caretakers of the rodeo grounds at Clay County Park. They've recently worked closely with the board to prepare for their retirement while finding a way for both the rodeo grounds and their family's legacy of service to live on, preserving a place for generations to ride, train, and rodeo at CCP.
By design, our board includes members with a wide range of interests and passions for the park. However, we don’t have the specialized knowledge or experience needed to operate the rodeo grounds in the manner that would best serve the riding community, and simply adding a new board member would not entirely solve this challenge. The Kennedys generously devoted their time and resources to the arena, much like the members and officers of the other sporting clubs located at Clay County Park —but unlike those clubs, the Kennedy family itself has traditionally done most of the heavy-lifting. To keep the legacy of their commitment to equine events alive, we hope the equine community will come together to form its own riding organization.
What would that look like? It would be located on park parcel #10—the same area the rodeo ground occupies today. They would have their own leadership and members, collect funds to cover costs, carry insurance, and hold a lease with the park. Duties would include facilitating events and care of the grounds and facility in a manner aligned with best practices. They would select one member to sit on the CCP board of directors, just as the other clubs have. CCPA will welcome the new club just like the other sporting clubs, and we anticipate the same kind of positive, collaborative relationship.
Our Executive Committee will guide interested parties through the process by answering questions and helping define the necessary details. The process will conclude with a final approval vote by the full board. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out to [email protected] to express interest or ask for details. We hope to begin connecting with such parties in the next 30 days to begin preparing for the 2027 riding season.
A heartfelt thanks to the Kennedy family as they hang up their spurs at CCP, and a warm welcome to others who are willing to help take the reins to ensure this facility can continue to serve the local equine community for years to come.
-Clay County Park Board Association
