Lake Metroparks’ Farmpark has a calendar chock-full of fun outdoor activities in the coming months
By Mimi Vanderhaven
Interacting with newborn farm animals might be life’s greatest de-stressing experience. Last spring Mimi took a field trip to Lake Metroparks Farmpark to check out the baby lambs and stayed all day relishing these precious, precocious compilations of cuteness.
Lambing season is in February and March, and according to Jenny Greskovich, head of Farmpark Animal Care, there’s a bumper crop of 15 expectant sheep ready to deliver soon.
“With growing interest in our lambs, this year we’re introducing a weekend of family-friendly activities—Lamb Jam,” she says. “In late-April, we’re inviting attendees to help shear a sheep, weave on a loom and enjoy make-and-take crafts, as well as offer photo ops with these adorable animals. Anytime this spring, people might even see a lamb being born, which is pretty amazing.”
She adds that baby lambs are particularly playful and docile and love to cuddle with people. Most sheep give birth to two to three lambs, and they take their first steps within moments of being born.
In addition to lambs, there’s a bevy of newborn baby animals to interact with at the park, including piglets and calves.
Another don’t-miss, nature-centric activity is Maple Sugaring Weekends, set for Saturdays and Sundays, March 4-5 and 11-12.
“The goal with our 1,000-plus taps, network of tubing and collection buckets is to get people interested in nature and where their food comes from,” says Farmpark Events Manager Andy McGovern. “With the warm days and colder nights, the timing is perfect to collect the sweet sap. If you can boil water, you can make delicious maple syrup. There are many educational activities, and we offer maple sugar candy and other culinary products, as well as pancakes served all day, on these weekends to make the most of all that scrumptious syrup.”
Lake Metroparks Farmpark is located at 8800 Euclid Chardon Road (Route 6) in Kirtland. Lamb Jam takes place Saturday and Sunday, April 29 and 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Maple Sugaring Weekends are March 4-5 and 11-12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Farmpark admission rates apply.
For a look at upcoming events at Farmpark, visit goto.lakemetroparks.com/farmpark-events.