Proposed regulations could bring changes for horse-drawn carriages

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Horse-drawn carriages have been a tourist hotspot in Wilmington for years, but new proposed regulations could bring some changes.

“You know, it’s been around forever. It’s like a part of the culture here,” said Rick Klein, a Wilmington resident who thinks the carriages are a major part of the city’s history.

Klein plays his guitar right by the horse-drawn carriage site on Market Street every week. He says the tours are something he would not want to change.

“It’s part of the experience here. And I can’t imagine Wilmington being without it,” said Klein.

City council has been discussing new regulations to limit the route carriage tours can take. If approved, carriages would not be allowed on 3rd Street during the day, or on streets with a speed limit of 35 mph or more.

“When it’s busy down here, everything is a traffic problem. They’re out of the way fairly quickly,” said Klein, who does not see the carriage tours as a major traffic issue.

Springbrook Farms Inc. has been the sole owner of horse-drawn carriages in the city. Right now, the company owns all five permits allowed for carriages, but new regulations would open the door for more carriage owners to join the city. City council is talking about changing the number of carriage permits to seven.

Council is also talking about requiring safety equipment for horses and setting temperature limits for operation. But Klein thinks operators do a great job of looking out for these horses..

“I see people come down here and that’s why they come down here. It’s just part of the experience,” said Klein.

An experience that he thinks gives this coastal city a special charm and keeps people coming back.

We reached out to carriage operators, but they declined to comment. Council will discuss the proposal Tuesday night.