There are plenty of down-home happenings up on the Hill.
Round Hill Park and Exhibit Farm in Elizabeth Township has more than 1,100 acres of land stocked with farm animals and water fowl, soccer fields, picnic groves, a spray park, duck pond, walking and bridle trails, interpretive programs, demonstrations and more.
Located at 651 Round Hill Road, the Allegheny County Park is a modern working farm that is open year-round with activities scheduled throughout the four seasons.
Park manager Jerry LaFrankie of Elizabeth said the farm is home to white-faced Hereford beef cattle, Holstein, Jersey and Guernsey dairy cattle, Dorset sheep (known for prolific lambing), goats, chickens, ducks, turkeys, pigs, horses and a burrow that was rescued from the border of New Mexico.
Vegetable and herb gardens abound at the park, where visitors can peruse at their leisure or take a guided group tour. The park boasts 17 sheltered and non-sheltered groves, a visitor's center and plenty of exhibits.
“We use the vegetables that we grow for the farm program in the fall,” LaFrankie says. “We grow our own corn for grain and hay for the animals, and use the straw for bedding.”
The park manager says the fall Day on the Farm program has been a favorite for many years.
The four-hour program, designed for grades five and six, runs for two weeks — this year from Oct. 15 to 29. It includes a tour of the farm, cooking lunch and doing farm chores, then hopping into a wagon for a hayride.
“The kids pretty much entertain themselves,” LaFrankie says. “They make apple cider, then prepare soup and bread for dinner. They do farm chores that are incorporated into what the workers are doing at the time. We want to show them how an actual farm runs.”
Hot chocolate and cookies baked by the day campers are enjoyed afterward, LaFrankie says.
According to the manager, a new playground was installed this year and “is one of the largest in the county park system. We still have to add some shading and do a little landscaping around that area.”
New in 2010, a farm-themed spray park with spray fountain and water features provides fun and relief from the heat from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily June through Sept. 10. The aquatic playground at Clover Crest Grove is free to guests and is handicap accessible. LaFrankie says the pad area was widened around the spray park this year.
For some programs, LaFrankie says the park works in conjunction with the local Humane Society at nearby Fallen Timber Animal Shelter along Fallen Timber Road.
For example, the Hayride for the Homeless Animals gives people the chance to donate a canned pet product or make a monetary donation in exchange for a free hayride, he says. This year's event occurs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 13.
Also, the animal shelter will conduct the annual Blessing of the Animals at 2 p.m. Dec. 2 in the park's Upper Barn.
“They bring along some animals for adoption and gifts for the pets,” LaFrankie says. “There are treats such as cookies and hot chocolate for everyone afterward.”
For outdoor enthusiasts, Outdoor Survival teaches how avoid outdoor emergencies. This program will start at 10 a.m. Nov. 17. Animals lovers of all ages can learn how to create tasty decorations to please the palettes of a variety of critters in Edible Ornaments for Wildlife at 10 a.m. Dec. 8.
Winter programs this year included a Nature Show and Tell and Meteorites.
Maple Sugaring and Sheep Shearing are two popular demonstrations offered in the spring.
“We have our own maple trees here, and, in the spring, we tap the trees and boil down the sap to demonstrate how to make syrup,” LaFrankie says.
He says the Sheep Shearing event in May is conducted by Dean Sherwin of Mt. Pleasant.
The latter demonstration incorporates activities sponsored by the Oliver Miller Homestead of South Park, where reportedly the first shots were fired signaling the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794. LaFrankie said volunteers dressed in period clothing perform musket firing, yarn spinning/weaving and pioneer crafts at the event.
Once a year, families can relax under the stars during the annual Books to Life movie that is shown outdoors on the farm starting at dusk. This year's feature movie in July was Puss 'n Boots.
The historic Peairs/Scott House, built in 1838, is surrounded on three sides by the exhibit farm. It is home to the Park and Farm Exhibit Administration.
Colleen Pollock is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.
