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    Services - Barron Park Donkeys

    Community Service/Non-Profit

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    Chris L.

    "Visit Mama and Baby Donkeys" This is one of the few places in the Bay Area where you can walk right up and get close to donkeys. In my hometown of Dublin, we hardly ever see any donkeys walking around. I didn't try to pet them, as I wasn't sure we were supposed to. But mostly because I wasn't sure if they bite. You can park pretty close by, it's just a short walk to see this wonderful place. When I first arrived at their quarters, I didn't see any donkeys. Then I noticed they were far away, resting. In a few minutes they both came up to say hello to me. There is a young donkey, and apparently his mother, Jenny. They probably thought I had some food, but we're not supposed to feed them. After a while, they both got tired of me and went back to their sleeping quarters. I tried calling their name, but they ignored me. They knew I didn't have any food. A delightful place to visit. Your young children will be especially delighted.

    Carmen V.

    Visiting the Cornelis Bol park of course I must visit the Barron Park donkeys (I am still confused about those 2 parks that for me are the same big one). I think Barron Park is the hood and Cornelis is the park-park and where the adorable donkeys are. I am into drawing donkeys lately (for some strange reason I got tired of painting people's faces and now venturing to animals more and more). I read about the history and stories behind these donkeys and took my sketch book with me and changed the color of one of the donkeys to pink (the donkey who dreamed to be a pig, my 'piggierrito', a blend between burrito -donkey in Spanish- and pig, inspiration for my future book for children:). Even with the fence and all, you can interact with the donkeys as they are so well behaved and love to pose for pictures when are not eating (which is most of the time). It is a very bucolic view and relaxing time.

    Sylvia Y.

    Was at Bol Park on Sunday and was surprised to see a pair of donkeys! They were minding their own business chewing on the grass and accompanied by 2 handlers who were also friendly and gave me some background on the donkeys. Apparently they are there every Sunday for an hour. A fun sight if you're already planning on hanging around Bol Park.

    Niner and Perry greet their fans
    John D.

    "We can stay up late, swapping manly stories, and in the morning, I'm making waffles!"―Donkey (Eddie Murphy), "Shrek" Donkeys in Palo Alto?! Surely this is a joke, but nayyyyyy! Donkeys have been a long-held tradition of the Barron Park neighborhood since the '30s, when this area served as an animal pasture. Thanks to some donations from individuals like Cornelis Bol, who sold the land at half the market value; James Witt, who owns the land the Donkeys live on; and the whole Barron Park Neighborhood, who banded together ―in conjunction with the City of Palo Alto― to get Bol Park (http://goo.gl/qJqbfL) built, and the area preserved for future generations. But, that's enough history―let's meet the stars! Miner Forty-Niner (aka Niner) is a Standard Donkey who was born in the Mojave Desert in 1984 and sold off when the owners were culling the herd, to someone in Los Altos. He joined the Barron Park Donkeys (BPD) in 1998 and has been happily munching away ever since. Pericles (aka Perry) is a Miniature Donkey who was born in 1994 in upstate NY, and had a previous life as a companion animal for Race Horses. He joined the BPD in 1997 and was soon discovered by, then nearby, Dreamworks animators to serve as the model for the character "Donkey" in the 2001 animated film, "Shrek." The BPD is **NOT** financed by the City of PA, as many believe, but is privately funded by donations and entirely run by volunteers. If you visit please make a tax-deductable donation on their PayPal donation site (https://goo.gl/Z4ErBo). The BPD is highly recommended as a fun little outing to take the kids on a lazy Sunday morning. The Donkey handlers are really knowledgable and nice, and the Donkeys themselves are very friendly and don't mind the attention. Enjoy!

    Niner and Perry in March of 2026. Beloved Niner has died at age 32 on September 28, 2016 of respiratory illness
    Grey R.

    I was very sad to have learned couple of weeks ago that Niner, Barron Park's famed donkey, has died at age 32 of respiratory related illness, on September 28, 2016. He was a friend and a long time standard sized companion to the miniature sized Perry, the real Shrek (who was the model for the movie). Niner and Perry lived behind the Bol Park in Palo Alto, on their own private pasture, and were the neighborhood celebrities. It's unclear what the future holds for Perry, now that his best friend is gone. Niner has died at an animal hospital in Salinas, the Steinbeck Country Equine Clinic, his miniature donkey best friend, Perry, in a stall beside him. His thoughtful caring donkey handlers camped there for Niner's last days, staying with him and Perry all day, petting them and talking to them. Perry, who is 22 and ten years junior to Niner, remained at the hospital, grieving for his herd mate. He would be too depressed coming back to the paddock in Barron Park without his mate Niner. He has been relocated for a short stay until, hopefully, another donkey companion can be found for him. Niner shall be remembered as a kind and loving animal. He had a friendly and curious nature, and would regularly hang his head over the fence to receive pets from visitors. He used to have somewhat rebellious nature in his teenage years, but mellowed into his 20s. He was born in the Mojave Desert. He has spent the first 14 years of his life living with a family in Los Altos, where he was adopted while still a yearling. He was given to Barron Park as a companion to another donkey, Mickey, who was the last surviving donkey born at Bol's farm. Niner lived at the Bol Park with Perry for 18 years. There is a great article about Niner in the Palo Alto Weekly, dated on October 4, 2016 and updated October 10, 2016. It includes his story and the farewell written by his handler, very touching. "Whenever you visit my pasture, always remember my long happy life with you all! No matter how deep my eternal sleep, I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from welcoming you with my usual bray." By Inge Harding-Barlow, Niner's handler. http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2016/10/04/beloved-palo-alto-donkey-dies-at-32

    Barron Park Donkeys
    Carl F.

    Did you know that Shrek's Donkey from the Shrek movies was modeled after a real deal donkey that resides on a quaint farm tucked away behind a small park and up a short trail in residential Palo Alto? Who knew? There's two donkeys that live there, Niner & Perry, and they're sweet little dudes that love a good pet and going for walks around the park with their handlers. Perry is the miniature donkey and the one Eddie Murphy's Donkey character is modeled after. He's a little more shy than Niner but they both love to hang out by the fences and steal as many face pets as they can get. There's a small mailbox near there gate that's labeled "D-mail" and you can leave donkey mail for these guys. Pretty darn cute. And these donkeys are actually a part of a pretty cool non-profit, so feel free to send a donation to keep the donkey love alive.

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    4 years ago

    Go see Perry and Buddy but don't feed them apples or they will get too big! Serene space in the middle of the park.

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    5 years ago

    I am planning to go there but noticed Google Maps shows only street parking, correct ?

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    Ask the Community - Barron Park Donkeys

    Planning on going there but Google Maps suggests street parking, is this correct ? Thanks

    yes, park near the playground and walk up the trail. see their website, they walk to the park on Sundays at 10 to 11 am. Feeding at the pasture is at 5pm and 4pm in the winter

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    Review Highlights - Barron Park Donkeys

    Perry, a third donkey they used to have on site and the inspiration for Shrek, was a miniature breed.

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