At 2781 Packard Rd. is a barnyard, set back sufficiently from the road so that it may routinely be passed unnoticed by motorists.
In the barnyard is Flash! Well, actually, the exclamation mark is an exaggeration. Flash is a Welsh pony between thirty-two and thirty-five years of age, and though the origin of his name is lost to history, it may refer to the white blaze, or “flash” on his face, rather than to any particular reputation for speed. While he is still seen occasionally galloping around, he generally comports himself with the dignity and decorum befitting his senior status.
The barnyard in which Flash is spending his retirement is part of Cobblestone Farm. Named for the historic Ticknor-Campbell farmhouse, with its striking, herringbone-patterned stone walls, the farm is within the jurisdiction of the city’s Parks and Recreation Services. According to Parks and Rec’s Jessica Black and Janet Farrell, the physical property and the farm animals are owned and maintained by the city; the gardens are maintained on a volunteer basis by a crew of master gardeners; and the historical programs are managed by the Cobblestone Farm Association in partnership with the city.
Flash and the other farm animals are “period appropriate” to the time when the farm was in operation, a period spanning 1824 to 1973. Flash’s companions include assorted barnyard birds and three quite inquisitive goats: an Alpine goat born in 2008 and two Toggenburg goats born in 2009. A full-time caretaker lives at the farm and takes care of the animals’ needs. They are well fed, and the farm’s staff requests that the public not feed the animals. Flash, as you might expect, is on a special senior diet.
Flash is usually found in the yard, not the animal barn (not to be confused with the “big” barn–see below). We are told that Flash does not like being inside the barn. He likes being outside –and therefore is a suitable subject for “Outside.”
Looking for a short winter walk surrounded by history and anchored by some neat livestock? Consider Cobblestone Farm. A self-guided walking tour can be found on the website of the Cobblestone Farm Association: cobblestonefarm.org.
There is ample parking, and the main pathways and parking lots are cleared during the winter. That said, the maintenance here is by the city’s maintenance crews, not dedicated staff, so Cobblestone Farm has to wait its turn. In bad weather, it may be wise to call ahead during normal business hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday) to inquire about conditions. (The number is 794-6230; when the auto attendant picks up, dial 0 for a human being.) Outside of business hours, take a look at the entry road, parking areas, and path conditions before stepping out. We have encountered varying degrees of mud, ice, and snow on some of our walks.
Cobblestone Farm also has a much larger barn of relatively recent construction that is rented out for weddings, parties, and other special events. As we understand it, on those occasions the entire property is closed for the private party. Black’s calendar showed bookings for most weekends throughout the winter, and many Fridays as well.
The best time to visit, then, is Monday through Thursday. If you are considering going to see Flash on a weekend, call to find out whether the Farm will be open to the general public. (Event closures are not posted on the website.) Admission is free.
