AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler
Last weekend was sunny, the temperatures mild, and everywhere you looked at Kinder Farm Park, some sort of activity was taking place. The Visitor’s Center, barns and buildings were closed because of the Coronavirus, but 288 acres of wide open spaces remained open to the public. There were so many things to do and observe.
All across the park’s vast sports fields, improvised games were underway. On one field, players were gathering for an impromptu soccer game. Nearby, two young fellows were doing stretches prior to a run.
On the basketball court, three teens were shooting hoops while a fourth exercised on a set of rings.
As the sun moved lower in the afternoon sky, visitors entering or leaving the farm complex could hear a gentle rustling from various pastures.
In the field nearest Kinder Farm Park’s tractor barn, sheep’s ears perked up as a familiar family showed up and bustled about. It was clear that feeding time was near.
The sheep quickly waded through a field of geese toward a small barn where a Farm Education Program Livestock Group family appeared with buckets of feed.
In a pasture across the way, goats and cows looked westward toward the sound of Roy Fielder’s truck as it approached bearing “dinner”. They crowded the truck as several children helped Fielder unload bales of hay.
Goats crowded round as the kids unloaded hay….. 
One curious goat jumped into the truck bed to investigate food in the silver can.
Cows hustled up to one of the pasture fences mooing and looking hopeful. Unfortunately, they’d have a bit longer to wait.
Fielder, who heads the Friends of Kinder Farm Park’s Farm Education Livestock Group, explained to visitors observing them how the animals are cared for.
“At the moment we have 49 families with 300 people caring for 42 animals that include four dairy cows, four beef cows, six Nigerian goats, three full-sized dairy goats, one breeding sow and her piglets, two alpacas and five rabbits,” he said. “We also work with the farm’s organic gardening division on back acreage where we keep seventeen chickens for pest control (they eat bugs) and fertilizer.”
None of the children with Fielder were part of his family. They were Farm Education Program kids who love helping with chores any way they can.
“Where else can kids ride on the back of a truck these days,” he said. “It’s completely safe and so much fun for them.”
He noted that Kinder Farm Park’s 40-member 4H Livestock Club is a separate and completely different program that only involves children whereas the Farm Education Program is comprised of families and requires that parents be actively involved.
Animals that the 4H Club raises go to market.
As of late August, 4H members were raising seven market pigs, two breeding meat goats, three market goats, two dairy goats, 25 chickens and 19 turkeys.
Last weekend, visitors marveled over various breeds of chickens and 17 of 19 turkeys. Visitors – especially children – were fascinated by the turkeys. Four were Toms (males) who strutted among the hens puffing their chests out and fanning their tail feathers. By Monday all the turkeys were gone and on their way to market, They’d end up on some family’s Thanksgiving table – a reality of farm life that’s important for 4H members to learn and experience.
According to Friends of Kinder Farm Park board member Mike Lowman, park attendance has never been higher and there is still plenty to see. It was tremendous fun, for instance, to observe a pair of alpacas as they nibbled grass in the shelter of the farm’s grain silos. They’re relatively new additions to the park and, according to Fielder, it’s hoped draft horses will be joining the other animals in the spring.
Watching the antics of Peppa the Pig’s playful piglets was a definite delight……
……but watching people watch the animals and photograph them was interesting too.
Kinder Farm Park superintendent Brad Hunt said he loves overseeing the acreage. Like Lowman and Fielder, he believes the county-owned property captures the essence of what a “working farm” is all about with its 1940’s era farmhouse, outbuildings, saw mill, blacksmith shop, and vintage tractor collection. But it also offers the recreational facilities, walking trails, and gardens locals long for. He’s happy to see the public enjoying it all.
“We were disappointed the virus forced us to cancel our annual harvest festival this year and we’ve also had to cancel our traditional Jingle Bell Hayrides,” Hunt said. “However, in keeping with the spirit of the holidays, we’re replacing the event with a Jingle Bell Food Drive on December 5 and 6 from noon to 3 pm. Visitors are invited to bring non-perishable food donations to our Visitors Center to fill our Santa Sleigh. All donations will be given to SPAN’s food pantry.”
He added that already purchased hayride tickets will be good through December of 2022.
Meanwhile, there’s lots to do. Buildings and barns are kept closed with the exception of the Comfort Station,but everything else is available.. Some “safe” park programs are now back on the KFP schedule. Park Ranger Jessica Furr is leading programs that include a Heart Smart Nature Hike, a Ride With a Ranger outing, Paint in the Park opportunities and Pollinator Walks. For a Program Guide visit: https://www.aacounty.org/departments/recreation-parks/recreation/program-guide/index.html
For Kinder Farm Park news, visit https://kinderfarmpark.org/.
Christmas is a-coming and some events are still on
Severna Park Community Center’s “Jolly Holiday Jubilee”
Severna Park Community Center invites the public to join them for free on Sunday, December 6 from 1 to 6 pm for an afternoon of fun at their “Jolly Holiday Jubilee”. A strolling Santa will be on hand for selfies, there will be holiday music, and the Girls Scouts will have crafts for children. There will also be a craft fair with local products like soaps or homemade jewelry that would make lovely gifts. There will also be a Christmas giving tree from which to pick a tag to help a family in need. Free mini-dance classes will be available in the Dance Center but you must make an appointment beforehand. There will also be free Fitness Center visits provided you make an appointment beforehand. To do so….or for information, visit https://www.spcommunitycenter.org/ or call 410-647-7851.
Trick or Tree at The Chamber
The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce will be holding a “Trick or Tree” event this year in front of its offices at 1 Holly Avenue on Friday, December 11 from 5 to 6:30 pm. Unlike previous years’ open houses, the event will be held outside with social distancing. The Chamber Christmas tree will be lit and both Santa and The Grinch will be on hand. There will be Kiddie Goodie Bags and Adult Goodie Bags containing coupons for local restaurants and retailers. For information, visit https://www.gspacc.com/.
