Within the coronary heart of Howard County, Maryland, Clark’s Elioak Farm is the proper spot to get pleasure from old-time household enjoyable with the children.
Martha Clark, the sixth era proprietor of this farm, has lately introduced her daughter on board to hold on the household custom.
The farm’s historical past dates again to 1797 when the Clark brothers began the farm. Via the centuries, the farm has had many alternative functions — from milling to cattle and dairy. In 2002, Clark’s Elioak Farm added an agritourism petting zoo with a vegetable farm stand.
Then, in 2004, Clark’s Elioak Farm “inherited†the Enchanted Forest, and the whole lot modified. Right now, the fairytale Enchanted Forest is a serious draw. And, as its reputation has grown, the farm retains including kid-friendly enjoyable.
The Enchanted Forest at Elioak Farm
The unique Enchanted Forest opened alongside US Route 40 in close by Ellicott Metropolis, Maryland again in 1955 when quirky theme parks like this had been widespread all through the USA.
Unable to compete with curler coaster amusement parks, the Enchanted Forest closed completely in 1989. (You’ll be able to see memorabilia from the unique location once you go to the Museum of Howard County Historical past in downtown Ellicott Metropolis.)
Most of the fiberglass buildings sat, unused, till 2004 when the Clark household acquired the gathering.
They undertook a serious labor of affection. Each bit was meticulously restored, utilizing methods taught by a fiberglassing professional from Virginia. To avoid wasting Outdated Mom Hubbard’s shoe, which stands 23 toes tall and weighs 5,000 kilos, they’d it reduce in half for transport to Elioak Farm.
To maintain the whole lot in tip prime form, the buildings want ongoing fiberglass restore and paint, all executed as near the unique as attainable.
It’s an terrible lot of labor for a low-tech attraction, but it surely attracts grandparents who love sharing their recollections and expertise with their grandkids. And, effectively, have a look at me…. not a grandma, however actually enamored with the childlike enjoyable of this place!
The Enchanted Forest stretches throughout a lot of the 30 acres open to visitors, together with plenty of buildings tucked within the cool shade of the pine forest.
COOL FACT: (Cool, get it?) The pine forest was initially planted as a Christmas tree farm. However, when that didn’t work out, they transformed the pine forest to a shady path for households. Sensible enterprise selections like this are key to their potential to maintain costs low.
Different issues to do at Clark’s Elioak Farm
There’s tons extra to Clark’s Elioak Farm than the Enchanted Forest. Actually, this agritourism attraction started as a petting farm and market stand. There’s additionally a fairy forest, hay rides, practice rides and a pumpkin patch.
This jogs my memory of Discipline of Desires, “In case you construct it, [they] will come.†And, just like the film, it’s a reminder that the generations are linked.
We are able to transfer into the long run and nonetheless respect the previous. Clark’s proprietor, Martha Clark, shared how for elder relations, it’s a visit down reminiscence lane that strengthens bonds as they see it by means of the eyes of little ones.
The Petting Farm
Let’s begin the place all of it started, with the Elioak Petting Farm.
Top-of-the-line instances to go to the Petting Farm is in spring, when child animals are born. Although, regardless of once you go to, the children can get near all kinds of animals: pigs, bunnies, horses, goats, geese, cows, chickens and extra!
Children love pony rides ($3) and feeding the goats ($1 for feed).
Hay Rides
Take a little bit break throughout your go to to get pleasure from a hay trip ($3) by means of the farm. The hay trip goes by means of the grounds by means of the Enchanted Forest, previous the pumpkin patch and thru the woods.
For enjoyable alongside the way in which, faces are hidden within the bushes and alongside the fences, enjoyable for teenagers to search for!
In summer time, the hay trip goes previous the sunflower backyard. In fall, it stops on the pumpkin patch.
The Enchanted Specific Prepare ($5) and Cow Prepare ($3) are different choices.
The Fairy Forest
One of many latest additions at Clark’s Elioak Farm is the Fairy Forest. This wooded space is residence to whimsical fairy homes, butterflies and flowers hidden within the forest. Get pleasure from a e book within the storybook circle, with books obtainable to learn when you go to.
I cherished watching youngsters’ delight as they discovered fairy homes hidden among the many bushes. There are 60 fairy homes within the Fairy Forest, so benefit from the shaded stroll by means of the bushes as youngsters uncover magic round each flip.
Playground Space
It’s in all probability no shock that a spot geared for quaint household enjoyable gives numerous play house, together with slides and a lined house only for preschoolers. This can be a place meant to be loved!
Visiting Clark’s Elioak Farm
With numerous house and generations of household connection to Howard County, it’s no shock that Clark’s Elioak Farm is widespread with locals and guests alike. This can be a Household Travels on a Funds BEST PICK for funds journey AND child enjoyable. The Clark household’s dedication to retaining prices as little as attainable so all households can get pleasure from a day within the Enchanted Forest and wholesome farming practices replicate their generational dedication to Ellicott Metropolis.
Many of the 540 acres at Clark’s Elioak Farm is devoted to farming, managed by Martha Clark’s daughter (additionally her enterprise accomplice). The farm doesn’t use artificial chemical pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. It practices crop rotation and different essential farming methods to offer wholesome produce and shield the surroundings. The farmstand is positioned close by on Clarksville Pike (Route 108) throughout from the Iron Bridge Wine Firm.
Journey Suggestions and Suggestions
Have I satisfied you to plan a go to to Clark’s Elioak Farm in Ellicott Metropolis? Use these hyperlinks to get began!
- The place to remain: Turf Valley Resort, 2700 Turf Valley Highway, Ellicott Metropolis, MD. We just like the resort for its spacious rooms, indoor and out of doors swimming pools, a youngsters’ playground, tennis, waterslide, onsite golf, an onsite spa, free WiFi, free parking and nice eating places. For the scale of the rooms and facilities provided, the charges are extremely cheap. And, the beds are cozy! YAY!
Visiting Clark’s Elioak Farm introduced a smile to my face that lasted all day. As I wrote this submit, the grins got here proper again. Martha Clark, her household and her workers are pleasant and welcoming. Elioak Farm is designed for household enjoyable, significantly for ages 1-10, and the household’s dedication is obvious in the whole lot they do. This actually is a BEST PICK for reasonably priced household enjoyable.