Barron Park Donkeys

Name: Barron Park Donkeys
Address: 3590 Laguna Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA, Sunnyvale, CA, US
Telephone: (650) 464-9426
Rating: 4.8

4.8(144) Sunnyvale, CA

Directions Website

About Barron Park Donkeys

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.

What parents should know

Summarized from real visitor reviews.

Best for: Families seeking a free, gentle, and educational outdoor activity involving animals.Parents looking for a relaxed outing that combines animal interaction with a walk in a park setting.Dog owners who want to enjoy a walk with their pet alongside unique animal encounters (with caution).Community members interested in supporting local animal welfare and volunteer efforts.A casual, unplanned stop during a walk on a local trail.

Why families love it

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.

Insider tips

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.

Good to know before you go

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.
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.

Crowds: Can 'attract a crowd of families' during popular scheduled activities (especially Sundays) or when donkeys are in high-visibility areas like the playground.
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.
Food: No specific food policy for visitors is mentioned, but as an outdoor park area, personal snacks are generally acceptable.
Accessibility: No specific accessibility accommodations are mentioned.
Safety: Volunteer handlers are present during activities to supervise interactions and provide guidance, ensuring a safe environment.

What parents say

devinewind123

5.0

"We 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 a"

5 months ago

Vineet Sinha

5.0

"Go at 4pm in the winters to see them feed the terrific trio. Fun, chill, along a walking trail."

4 months ago

Jeremy Robinson

5.0

"*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!"

3 months ago

Reviews sourced from public Google data.