Baltimore County will sell the 160-acre Merryland Farm, given to the county six years ago by a wealthy New York businessman -- a move that has angered the donor's family, the farm's managers and former Rep. Helen Delich Bentley, who helped negotiate the gift.

County officials once planned to transform the thoroughbred training farm into a major equestrian center, including an indoor show ring, to bolster Maryland's horse industry. But officials now say the property on the eastern edge of the Long Green Valley doesn't meet the county's park needs.

And while officials insist that any money from the auction will be used to protect other farmland -- and that Merryland will be preserved as a farm -- that hasn't mollified those who arranged the donation of the Bottom Road property, appraised at $4 million in 1993.

"It's an absolute slap in the face of the people who deeded the property, and negligence on the part of the county," said Bentley, adding that she believed the county could have developed the property into an equestrian center if it wanted.

Said Ann Chanin, niece of the donor, 88-year-old Manhattan real estate magnate Seymour Cohn: "We had hoped it would be something for young people to come to the farm and learn about horses."

Merryland Farm, founded in 1915, was a thoroughbred breeding and training operation when Cohn owned it, and produced a number of stakes winners, including Knightly Manor and Rock Talk. Now a training facility for 2-year-old thoroughbreds, it is home to about 50 horses.

Cohn's gift included a restored 100-year-old farmhouse; a cottage and tenant house; 82 horse stalls; breeding, yearling and training barns; a five-eighths-mile track; and farm equipment.

Bentley, a friend of Chanin's, said that Cohn debated whether to give the land to the state or to the county. She advised him to donate the land to the county.

"I'm very sorry I selected Baltimore County," she said.

But then-County Executive Roger B. Hayden was eager to have the property. A few months after the farm was given, Hayden announced that the property would be developed into a major equestrian center.

Plans included a 63,000-square-foot, two-level building that would have included a large, indoor show ring, bleachers for about 350 people, classrooms, meeting rooms, dining and other facilities. Hayden said the county would solicit private donations to help pay for the $2.5 million center.

A change in county administrations nine months later meant a change of plans.

John F. Weber III, who became director of the county's Department of Recreation and Parks in 1995, said Merryland Farm isn't suitable for an equestrian center because it is not easily accessible and because it lacks riding trails.

He said that selling the farm and using the proceeds to buy development rights in the county's Rural Legacy areas would be in keeping with the intent of the donation to save farmland.

The three development rights on the Merryland Farm will be donated to the Maryland Environmental Trust, assuring that the property cannot be developed, Weber said. The auction will be held as soon as possible, he said, although the county must first obtain new appraisals.

John Bernstein, director of the Maryland Environmental Trust, said he was pleased the county intends to donate the development rights on the land, adding to a bank of protected land in the valley. "It's a big preservation area," he said.

But Carole Rigione, who leases and operates the farm with her husband, John, is disappointed that the county did not fulfill its promise to build the equestrian center.

The Rigiones have operated the farm since Cohn purchased it in 1987 and spent money to improve the farm, she said. "We've done our part. They haven't done theirs," she said, adding they have not been notified about the sale.

Nancy Boyce, a neighbor and member of the Long Green Valley Association, said the community is relieved that the property will remain a farm, but she said she would like to see it stay a training facility.

"I do think it's necessary for the industry," said Boyce, whose husband was a horse trainer.

Tim Capps, executive vice president of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, said he expects the auction to draw interest from people wanting to buy a horse farm.

"It's a nice facility," he said. "I would imagine there is going to be interest from horse people looking at the property."

Pub Date: 3/11/99