Barron Park Donkeys
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Barron Park Donkeys offers a unique, community-supported opportunity for families to interact with gentle donkeys in a park setting. It provides educational insights from knowledgeable volunteers and scheduled activities, making it an engaging and memorable outdoor experience, even after the passing of its most famous donkey, Perry.
Key Highlights
- ✓Direct, supervised interaction with gentle donkeys (April and Buddy are mentioned).
- ✓Scheduled activities on Sundays, including a 10 am walk to Bol Park and feeding at 4 pm (winter) or 5 pm (summer).
- ✓Highly knowledgeable and friendly volunteer handlers who provide detailed information about the donkeys' history and care.
- ✓Donkeys are described as 'very chill and good with kids', making interactions pleasant and safe.
- ✓Integration with Bol Park and a nearby playground offers additional activities for children and extends the visit.
- ✓Informative signage is available for self-guided learning.
- ✓Dog-friendly environment (with caution and awareness for individual donkey temperaments).
Standout Features
- ⭐Opportunity to walk alongside donkeys with volunteer guidance, offering a more immersive experience than a typical petting zoo.
- ⭐Educational value from volunteer-provided information about the donkeys' individual personalities and history.
- ⭐The strong community collaboration (volunteers, donors, local government) supporting the donkeys' welfare.
- ⭐The donkeys' calm and kid-friendly temperament.
- ⭐Location along walking trails in Bol Park, allowing for extended outdoor recreation.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Plan your visit for Sunday mornings at 10 am for a donkey walk to Bol Park, or 4 pm (winter) / 5 pm (summer) for feeding activities.
- →Be aware that Monday through Saturday donkeys also walk, but without a set schedule.
- →Consider bringing a donation to help cover the expenses of keeping the donkeys.
- →If bringing a dog, be prepared to give donkeys ample space and follow volunteer instructions to ensure a safe interaction for everyone.
- →Look out for informative signage to learn more about the donkeys even during unscheduled visits.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Perry, the donkey famously associated with 'Shrek', has passed away (as of January 2025), so expectations about seeing him specifically should be managed.
- ⚠Can 'attract a crowd of families' during popular activity times or when donkeys are at high-traffic spots like the playground, potentially leading to less intimate interactions.
- ⚠One donkey (Perry, now deceased) was known to be nervous around dogs, suggesting visitors should always be observant and give any donkeys space if they appear agitated.
Price & Value
Free to visit and interact with the donkeys. Donations are encouraged to support their care and expenses, offering exceptional value for a unique and educational family experience without an admission fee.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations are mentioned.
- •The location is described as being 'along a walking trail' and in a 'park,' which generally implies outdoor paths that may vary in terrain and accessibility.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No specific food policy for visitors is mentioned, but as an outdoor park area, personal snacks are generally acceptable.
- •Visitors should never feed the donkeys without explicit instruction and supervision from a volunteer.
🚗Parking Info
- •Not explicitly mentioned in the reviews, but being located in a 'park' and 'along a walking trail' suggests standard park parking or street parking would be available nearby. No difficulties or costs for parking were reported.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Can 'attract a crowd of families' during popular scheduled activities (especially Sundays) or when donkeys are in high-visibility areas like the playground.
- •Likely quieter and more 'sleepy' during unscheduled times or weekdays, offering a more peaceful experience.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Volunteer handlers are present during activities to supervise interactions and provide guidance, ensuring a safe environment.
- •Donkeys are described as 'very chill and good with kids', indicating a naturally calm temperament.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If your primary expectation is to see Perry, the famous 'Shrek' donkey, as he has unfortunately passed away.
- • Parents expecting a highly commercialized or structured petting zoo with multiple animal types; this is focused specifically on donkeys in a natural, community-run setting.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Perry Memorial Service
Plans to be announced soon
A memorial service for the incomparable Perry, who passed away recently.
🍎Food Policy
- • Never bring food for the donkeys; they are fed a special diet.
- • Foods high in sugar like carrots, apples, and even fresh grass are not healthy for donkeys.
- • Donkeys are prone to diabetes, which can lead to laminitis, a painful hoof condition.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Visitors cannot enter the donkey pasture.
- • Volunteer walks require three (or more) handlers for the safety of persons and donkeys.
📅Booking Policy
- • To volunteer, fill out the application form and email it to barronparkdonkeys@gmail.com.
🚗Parking Information
- • Location is near Bol Park; parking details are not specified but implied to be accessible for visitors to the park/pasture.
Photos
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
devinewind123
5 months agoWe had a great time with the 3 donkeys. On Sundays there are planned activities, 10am walk to Bol Park and 4pm feeding in winter (5pm summer). Our dog likes horses and got along well with his new BFF, April, and Buddy. Perry is nervous around dogs so we gave him more space. Met up at the pasture and walked to Bol Park where Perry hung out at the upper park and April and Buddy walked to the playground and attracted a crowd of families there. The volunteer handlers provide a wealth information about the history of the Barron Park donkeys. The donkeys are very chill and good with kids. Perry attracted a large crowd at the upper park and volunteer Michael provided a lot of information, while April and Perry took a 2nd lap around the park. On Monday through Saturday the donkeys walk but there is no schedule. We'll be sending a donation to help with the expenses of keeping the donkeys. This is a great collaboration of local community, volunteers, donors, and Palo Alto government.
Vineet Sinha
4 months agoGo at 4pm in the winters to see them feed the terrific trio. Fun, chill, along a walking trail.
Jeremy Robinson
3 months ago*UPDATE* January 2025. Perry the Donkey, the inspiration for the Donkey in Shrek, has passed away. Definitely still recommend saying hello to the other donkeys when you visit. Want to see the Donkey that modeled for Shrek? His name is Perry and you can’t miss him among the herd! Take a stop on the trail at this sleepy pasture full of grazing donkeys. I especially liked the shoes on the one in my photo. Such a fun stop!
E C
3 months agoNice park with a place where they have a couple of donkeys. Super cool for kids. Unfortunately Perry, the famous Shrek donkey just passed away 😪😪😪 a couple of days after we visited.
NeddyNineIron
a year agoHappened upon this place out of dumb luck as I randomly walked by after work one day when traveling Palo Alto for work. Wonderful doesn't begin to describe. Friendly volunteers, informative signage and best of all, Shrek's 'donkay' was here.