Lake Metroparks Farmpark turns 20

May 19, 2010

By: News-Herald Staff

Courtesy Lake Metroparks Farmpark

By Jeffery L. Frischkorn
JFrischkorn@News-Herald.com

Lake Metroparks Farmpark is no longer a teenager.

The Kirtland-based 235-acre farm-themed park turned 20 years old Wednesday. Since the park opened May 19, 1990, over 2.7 million visitors have participated in the park’s programs.

But hold your breath to blow out the birthday candles as Lake Metroparks will wait until Aug. 21 before the agency holds a celebratory bash.

“Right from the start we’ve continued to make improvements and additions to the buildings that were originally a part of the Locust Farm Arabian horse farm,” said Farmpark administrator Andy Baker.

These improvements and additions include the Dairy Parlor and Picnic Pavalion in 1991, followed the next year with the Plant Science Center and the Great Tomato Works in 1995.

“And in 1998 we built the Woodland Center and in 2001 we expanded and renovated the Equine Center’s area,” Baker said.

By 2002, the Farmpark began going green in a big way, Baker said.

That is when the park saw its solar array built, which was quickly followed the next year with a wind turbine and a solar tracker in 2007.

“The most recent structure is our machinery storage building, erected in 2009, which houses our valuable antique farm equipment and tractors,” Baker said.

Programming has become a chief Farmpark component.

“And our special events such as the Quilt Show, HorseFest, Fall Harvest, Country Lights and Halloween hayrides have become some our programs from the earliest years but have evolved in scope and popularity,” Baker said. “Also, over the years the landscape here has been developed to provide more shade, gardens and exhibits for the enjoyment and comfort of our visitors.”

The Country Lights program alone grew from six nights and two horse-drawn wagons to 20 nights, four horse-drawn wagons and carrying 17,000 visitors.

Other Farmpark attractions that were added include the Woolfest, Discovery Days, Working Dog Weekend, Railroads in the Parks and, new this year, Ice Cream Weekend, Baker said.

Meanwhile the Farmpark has become the venue of events hosted or co-hosted by others., among them being the America the Beautiful Concert/Air Force Band of Flight and Vintage Ohio. It also was the site selected in 2004 by then-president George W. Bush for a campaign rally, though the reserve was simply rented with no official connection with Lake Metroparks.

As for the Aug. 21 birthday bash, that will come as an appreciation to Lake County residents who have long supported the agency’s and the Farmpark’s mission, Baker said.

“It will be free to Lake County residents, too, for their continued support to both create and sustain the Farmpark,” Baker said.

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