Bringing the farm to urban children

By Karlyn Barker
The Washington Post

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Related stories What's new at the zoo: kinder, gentler keepers

Cows and playground equipment at the zoo?

These and other novelties are part of the $5 million Kids' Farm that opened Saturday. The nearly 2-acre expanse at the end of the zoo is designed to teach children about farm animals, including grooming and feeding.

In addition to cows and miniature donkeys, the farm features two breeds of goats, six breeds of chickens and a pond with a small flock of ducks. Visitors can view the animals in a pasture, a bright red barn and special enclosures. Interactive graphics and quizzes provide information about the animals and their care.

For the first time at the zoo, children will have a chance to touch some of the animals.

"The kids here are so urban, they only know these animals from picture books," said David Philhower, a founding teacher at Capital City Public Charter School who brought his delighted third- and fourth-graders to a preview last week.

According to the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, nearly 70 percent of its 163 member zoos have or will soon open "petting zoos" featuring goats, sheep, cows and occasionally chickens.

The impetus for Kids' Farm began several years ago when Rep. Ralph Regula, R-Ohio, who owns a working farm, decided that urban youths should "know where food comes from." A Smithsonian Institution regent who has helped increase the zoo's budget, Regula earmarked funds for the project.

Construction of Kids' Farm began in April 2003. The species on display were selected because of their gentle dispositions. Except for two goats, all the animals come from farms in Maryland.

"It's all about animal care," said Susan Ades, the zoo's acting head of exhibition planning and design. "Visitors will be helping in brushing the donkeys, giving water and shoveling poop — that's an important part of animal care."

Hand-washing stations have been set up at the Caring Corral's entrance and exit, and there is a kid-friendly graphic illustrating good hygiene. Staff will make sure children don't bring food into the exhibit or try to eat something after touching an animal.

In another zoo first, Kids' Farm has a recreation site for young visitors — the pizza play area and garden. Youngsters can pick up, crawl through or slide down various vegetarian, rubberized pizza toppings. There is also a real vegetable garden with tomatoes, corn, wheat and thyme, and children will learn how to make pizza sauce and how a cow's milk becomes cheese.

The idea, said zoo spokeswoman Peper Long, is to show youngsters that pizza and other food items don't just land in their lunchboxes. But given the target audience of 3- to 8-year-olds, the zoo has steered clear of discussing how chickens, cows and other farm animals end up on dinner plates.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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