NEW IN BIZ
Come Along For The Ride At DJ Wilderness Ranch Story And Photos By Dave Hall
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n Essex County couple are transforming a 25 acre property near Kingsville into a quiet peaceful haven for horseback enthusiasts and segway riders. Jamie Kerester and her partner Dave Sprague have opened DJ Wilderness Ranch on Road 3 West, just off the Arner Townline, where three acres of segway trails and 25 acres of obstacle courses await outdoor enthusiasts willing to try something new and different less than an hour from Windsor. Sprague has owned the property, which encompasses a total of 50 acres, for about nine years and just recently he and Kerester decided to convert it into an outdoor wilderness area. “There was a dirt bike track here for a while and we’ve had horses on the property as well and we decided it was time to try something new,” says Kerester. “And we thought it was perfect for horseback riding and segway riding.”
Devon Sprague, left, and his father Dave use a pair of segways at DJ Wilderness Ranch.
There are manicured gravel trails and obstacles courses along with a bunkhouse for overnight stays, as well as a westernthemed area complete with mock-ups of a
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general store, saloon, a Wells Fargo office and a sheriff’s jail. “It’s a great place for people to trailer their horses in and spend an entire morning or afternoon on the trails,” Sprague suggests. “I don’t think there’s anything like it anywhere near here. We want people to enjoy themselves in a beautiful outdoor setting.” Horse owners are encouraged to put their horses in trailers and enjoy the peaceful, tranquil setting amid trees and trails. There are also goats on the property for kids to pet and feed for a unique family day out. “Horse riders can use the trails and hills,” says Kerester. “We are also building some obstacles such as water crossings, teetertotters, bridges, tire obstacles, steps and hills.” She adds, “People can spend the afternoon doing the obstacles throughout the park, as well as going for walks though the 25 acres of bush trails.” Kerester, who is also a nurse at the Met campus of Windsor Regional Hospital and operates Paws for Love Inc. (333 Holden Avenue, Windsor; see more information on page 21 of this issue), believes her new business provides a peaceful respite from the pressures of city living. “It’s quiet and peaceful out here,” Kerester comments. “We’re surrounded by trees and it seems as if we are miles from the city and yet we’re still very close.” Kerester is encouraging groups to visit for parties, corporate and team-building events, as well as singles and couples who just want to bring their horses or rent segways and try something out of the ordinary. “We’re still working on fine-tuning some of the courses and obstacles, but we opened with a small group of horse riders in
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Jamie Kerester and her seven year old American Cream Draft Horse, Diesel, at DJ Wilderness Ranch in Kingsville where horseback riders and segway riders can roam more than 25 acres of trails.
mid-June and we’re expecting more to join us,” states Kerester. Sprague and his son Devon are also building a small store, which will sell a variety of products such as drinks and refreshments, as well as horse-themed key hooks, name plates and other items. “We are trying to make it as familyfriendly as possible,” Kerester indicates. The ranch is open by appointment only, at the moment, with plans to expand the hours once demand increases. Groups on horseback pay $35 per person for three to four hours while singles pay $60 per person. Segways can be rented for $29 per half-hour or $49 for an hour. For more information, visit their website: DjWildernessRanch.com.