Children delight as they visit with animals at Farm in the City event at Halloran Park

by Chuck Hoven

(Plain Press, July 2019)    The Farm in the City program at Halloran Park on June 14^thdrew children and their families from throughout the Plain Pressreadership area. The children delighted in petting and feeding Jacob the Alpaca, a Holstein calf named Buckeye, and a small herd of goats.

Maurice Cook, age 5, smiled with delight as he reached out to touch Jacob, the Alpaca, but quickly drew back as the large animal turned suddenly. Cook was not deterred, he successfully petted both Jacob the Alpaca and Buckeye the Holstein calf before turning his attention to feeding the goats.

Zavier Scott, age 9, devoted some time to picking grass to feed to Buckeye the Holstein calf.

Children also had a chance to ride a pony. Janice Houston, age 8, took a turn riding a pony named Fudgesicle guided by Party Pals Farm staff member Sara Thomas. Next in line to ride Fudgesicle was Samya Bailey, age 3, whose Mom, Samantha Bailey, walked close by during the ride.

Two brave young sisters Aleshka Rodriguez, age 2, and Love Rodriguez, age 4, posed for a photo with a Ball Python named Hercules which was being held by Blanca Carrasquillo. The sisters came to the event along with their classmates from Treetop Day Care on Denison Avenue.

Eight members of Cleveland Police bike patrol visited the Farm in the City event and joined with Community Policing Captain Keith Sulzer in posing for a picture with a small Party Pals Farm piglet named Chip.

The event sponsored by Westown Community Development Corporation, Ward 11 Council Member Dona Brady, and Cuyahoga Arts and Culture featured animals from Party Pals Farm in North Bloomfield, Ohio.