Draft Mules Play in Peoria

by Dale Goodner

Giddyup!

Elroy Limmer makes final adjustments to Rosie's harness before going on a hayride. Photo by Mary Goodner

Together, Rosie and Nellie lunge forward in their harness. The hay wagon sets out on a journey into the past. Tree tops rustle by in the crisp autumn sky. Children laugh; handfuls of straw are tossed. The serenity of this country scene is enhanced by the clip-clop of hooves, the creak of the leather harness, and the smell of wheat straw. What is perhaps most impressive is what's missing: the reverberating raucous rumble of a tractor engine with its accompanying trail of choking exhaust. You can recreate this scene out of the past. Ingredients include a team of horses or mules, food and water, a wagon, a few green acres, and someone who knows one end of the harness from the other. About 10 years ago we started with a team of pony mules for our camp program. (Peoria Park District has operated Ancient Oaks Camp for nearly 20 years.) The mules have proved a popular addition. Because the little mules have been so popular with both kids and adults and have played such a vital role in building our popular camp program, we were able to convince our board to purchase a big team. Two years ago we brought in draft mules to see if they could "play in Peoria."

Rosie and Nellie have pulled their weight. By the end of the first year, hayride revenues paid for the team and harness. Better yet, they've helped us accomplish an important objective out at the camp. They draw people to the facility. On weekends in October, the demand for old-fashioned hayrides exceeds time slots available. The applicability of our hoof stock in recreational and interpretive

Illinois Parks and Recreation 24 March/April 1991

programming, however, has gone well beyond fall hayrides. They help us set the stage for the overall theme of W.H. Sommer Park, the location of our camp and outdoor school. It is a fee park where people attend scheduled programs or rent portions of the facility such as picnic shelters, or campfire rings. This has proved to be a perfect place for hoof stock.

For many years, we've provided fun and educational outdoor school programs in the spring and fall. Many of our summer campers were introduced to this park during a school outing. The mules have added a new dimension to this program — Adventure Outdoors. This unique class outing includes opportunities for canoeing, fishing, exploration, and old-fashioned hayrides. What

Rosie and Nellie take a wagon-load of children and adults on an afternoon hayride. Photo by Mary Goodner

you have is a perfect way for teachers to kick-off and wrap-up a great year.

How about a country birthday. You supply the kids, cake and presents. We provide a memorable experience with a campfire, party favors, and the mules and driver. Hayrides and Hot Dogs is a program we dreamed up in order to attract people for hayrides in May. On Thursday evenings in May we provide a campfire, complete with hot dogs, drinks and an old-fashioned hayride. Hundreds of people of all ages have participated and have loved it. Customers include families with young kids, and even a few van-loads from retirement homes. We now offer the same program Thursday evenings in October. Some people have no group affiliation. This program reaches out to them.

The mules have put a little pizazz into our shelter rentals. The team has also appeared in parades promoting the park district. It has also been featured at special events, and has even pulled Christmas Carolers consisting of park district employees and their families with one park board member, around a local shopping center parking lot.

It's not enough to have a good team of horses or mules. You also need a good wagon. Draft animals are strong enough to warrant some caution. We designed our wagon for safety. Not only is it a great people mover, it's a great anchor. We started with wheels, axles and a fifth-wheel from an old grain wagon. A group of creative park district employees built a flat-bed of oak milled from a tree that had to be cut down. The seating area is about four straw bales long by two bales wide. This leaves an aisle of about 3 feet-wide. A broken bale provides an ample amount of loose straw for cushion and additional safety.

The bales are great for seating. The railing around the wagon provides a back rest. The driver's area is separated from passengers by the railing and has a bench seat as wide as the wagon. On the rear end, there is a stairway with hand rails on each side. Our brake peddle serves as a conversation piece. The two-cylinder peddle goes to separate lines, one for the front and one for the rear. When we need to stop, we stop. There's nothing like hydraulic disc brakes to provide a little security.

Of course, there are other things you can do with draft animals. We were fortunate to obtain antique farm equipment including a couple of plows, a drag harrow and a corn sheller. We decided to give farming a try. Like many park systems, we have places where we can try good ideas. At the camp we were able to claim about three acres for a project. After work, we'd meet there and plow. Fortunately the mules were patient and eventually our rows became straight. This is a good way to gain respect for those who use animals for farming. We ended up with a little over an acre of

Illinois Parks and Recreation 25 March/April 1991

pumpkins we planted.

Eventually our pumpkin plants sprawled out so we had to quit cultivating between rows; we just let nature take its course. By the end of September, we had a beautiful field of "jack-o- lanterns." This provided something to talk about with our hayride groups and provided another source of income.

The pumpkin patch was a focal point for a new event: The Country Fest, which includes music, food, a fiddle contest, crafts, hayrides, and a place to take the family to pick pumpkins. Pumpkins have provided enough revenue to pay for the purchase of an antique farm wagon.

We now have two teams of pony-sized mules and one team of draft mules. Our farming is done with the big team. Other activities vary depending on the size of the groups. Birthdays can often be handled with the small wagon and team.

Our hoof stock tends to stimulate a lot of interest among the elderly. Many of our older customers come from farming backgrounds and it's surprising how many have worked with horses. Because the kids are so interested in our mules, they seem enthralled by the anecdotes that are sure to come from the older folks on the wagon.

I've mentioned revenue. This is important. There's a lot to be said for financial support from customers for what you are doing. Just as important, however, is the interpretive opportunity our hayrides provide. The wagon-loads of people are captive audiences. A mule skinner with a good background in natural, cultural and agricultural history, as well as a working knowledge of the park district, can serve as a catalyst for visitor discovery, appreciation and enjoyment. This individual is in a key public relations position for direct sales. The good will fostered toward parks and the conservation mission is hard to counteract.

Whether you choose horses or mules probably isn't as important as having animals with good dispositions. With thousands of people in a park or at an event, you will meet all kinds of people, so try to plan on a driver and helper to handle whatever comes up.

Your efforts could really pay off. Our draft animals have provided a link with the past. They've bolstered program attendance. They've enhanced our revenue. They've helped create a rustic aesthetic at W.H. Sommer Park. They've become mascots to our campers. In return, all they ask is a little food and water, some tender-loving care, and some space. I'm certain that draft animals could be a hit with your customers. Over the past 10 years, they've certainly played in Peoria.

About the Author

Dale Goodner is Chief Naturalist at the Forest Park Nature Center, Peoria Park District. Goodner and Elroy Limmer have worked with Peoria Park District's hoof stock on a volunteer basis for the past 10 years. Both are members of the Midstate Teamsters, a local draft horse club. Limmer is Supervisor of Contract Services for the Peoria Park District.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 26 March/April 1991