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MetroParks Farm shows off newest animals
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Ashley Rupert, of Canfield, and Jacob Wiery, of North Springfield, enjoyed petting the baby pigs at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s annual Baby Animal Shower April 1.
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Hailee Johannsmeier, of Niles, petted Louie, a French lop rabbit, at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s annual Baby Animal Shower April 1.
By ABBY SLANKER
Celebrating its 21st year, the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s annual Baby Animal Shower once again welcomed thousands of visitors April 1. They made their way through the numerous buildings to view and pet several baby animals, including chicks, ducks, geese, rabbits, sheep, goats and pigs.
According to Brenda Markley, agricultural facilities manager, the youngest of the animals were a baby draft horse and twin Holstein calves.
“Our baby draft horse was born Feb. 17 and was appropriately named Val because of the close proximity to Valentine’s Day. And the birth of Holstein calf twins is very rare. They were born mid-March so they are only a couple weeks old,” Markley said.
Markley also said since the Baby Animal Shower was held the week before Easter, a special display was set up, courtesy of 4-H rabbit clubs, so children could have their picture taken with a live rabbit.
Mill Creek MetroParks staff, volunteers and several members of Mahoning County Jr. Fair Youth Group, area 4-H clubs, Farm Bureau youth, AmeriCorps and Boy Scout Troop 115 were on hand to monitor the animal stations. The volunteers were available to answer questions and hold the animals for visitors to pet.
According to Markley, the farm is also conducting a coloring contest for children of all ages.
“There will be one winner per month and the winning entry will be displayed here at the farm. Winners will be able to pick an item from the gift shop as their prize. Anyone can pick up coloring pages here at the farm,” Markley said.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a true baby shower without cake and punch, which was provided by the farm to all visitors in McMahon Hall.
The farm will offer tractor and wagon tours Sundays from 1-4 p.m. during the spring season. Attendees will also be able to visit the animals and the gift shop will be open from 1-4 p.m.