Marina Equestrian Center seeks operator: October 28 site visit and November 30 proposal deadline

MARINA, Monterey County — October 26, 2026. Marina is seeking qualified operators for concession services at its Equestrian Center Park, part of an effort to determine the future of a roughly 27-acre public recreation property. Interested businesses and organizations have an upcoming optional site visit and less than six weeks to submit a proposal.

Four dates prospective applicants should know

The city’s official request for proposals was issued October 13, 2026. The optional pre-proposal meeting and site visit is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, at 11 a.m. Applicants should request participation instructions from the city, because the bid posting requires direct email contact. Questions must be submitted by November 6 at 5 p.m. Final proposals are due November 30, 2026, at 5 p.m.

What does Marina want?

Marina’s public notice seeks individuals, businesses and organizations qualified to provide concession services at the location. The notice directs applicants to the complete RFP document for permitted activities, selection criteria and contractual requirements. A request for proposals is a competition, not a signed agreement or confirmation that an operator has been selected.

The city’s broader Talk of the Town update explains that the Council initiated work on the Equestrian Center’s future in March and authorized the RFP in September. The approximately 27-acre site is subject to National Park Service-related public-use and recreation requirements stemming from its transfer to the city. Any proposed operating model must be evaluated within those limitations.

How to submit or ask questions

Marina’s official listing instructs prospective participants to request site-visit information via ecrisante@cityofmarina.org, copying ihernandez@cityofmarina.org. The same official bid listing directs that PDF proposals be emailed to both addresses by the deadline. Applicants should download and read the source document rather than rely only on this editorial summary.

Why the decision matters to Marina

The eventual operation of a public recreation site can influence programming, local access and maintenance costs. Specific prices, services and public benefits have not been established by this RFP alone. Residents should follow the city’s subsequent award decisions and any public agenda documents before treating a particular use as finalized.

For ongoing local coverage, visit Marina News and California58’s local newspapers.

Official sources

Verified October 26, 2026. All dates are the city’s posted dates and should be rechecked in the official RFP for amendments.

YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER NEEDS YOU

Help this community newspaper grow

Your support helps build coverage for the people and places this local newspaper serves.

Donate once by card ↗

Help Marina News grow Help strengthen reporting on Marina: community voices, important decisions and local life.

Support Marina News

Choose how to support Marina News:

Credit / Debit Card via Stripe

Choose an amount from $1. One-time support through the publisher's LINKERNO Stripe account.

Continue with PayPal Continue with Zelle

Zelle payments go to Vitaly Ataev Troshin. Please verify the recipient in your bank before sending. Availability depends on your bank.

Optional reader support. When possible, add “Marina News” to the payment note. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible. Support does not influence editorial decisions.

Optional support through the publisher. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible and never buy editorial influence.

Marina News — Your Community Newspaper

Have a correction, news tip, local announcement, or story to submit? Contact our editorial team. All submissions are reviewed before publication.