Elawyn's Go Goats
/
Elawyn with her parents, David and Meghan.
For the past 502 days, visitors to the goat barn at Carl Sandburg Home could only observe the historic herd from behind the fence surrounding their pasture. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the sudden and disappointing separation of the genial goats from the thousands of visitors who have flocked to see them for the past 50 years.
This past Friday, however, Park Superintendent Polly Angelakis said a few words of welcome before a small group of visitors, staff, and Sandburg volunteers and then swung open the gate to the goat pastures … one more small step in the direction of normal park operations.
Bethany with daughters Maggie and Sofia and their “MiMi”, Christine.
The Sandburg goats will be accessible in the pasture from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day of the week. The barn will remain closed to visitors to help prevent people from clustering in a confined space as the country and the park continue to explore ways to keep people safe while doing the things they love.
Among the very first visitors were parents David and Meghan who brought their toddler, Elawyn to pet the goats - or as Elawyn calls them, the “go-goats” - for the very first time. She was born shortly before the pandemic lockdowns and the young family struggled to find ways to stay active with limited options. “Coming to Sandburg for walks was our saving grace. Elawyn loves the goats,” says David. “They are her favorite animal in large part because they were the first animals that she got to see and hang out with.”
Bethany was also among the very first visitors to the goat pasture, along with her young daughters Maggie and Sofia, and mom Christine (aka MiMi.) The family had dropped off eldest daughter, Elysia, at a Flat Rock Playhouse summer camp and then headed for the goat barn. “The girls love being around the goats. They were playing with Carolina’s ears making her fly and singing songs to them. They are such easy goats to be around,” says Bethany.
Perhaps no one is happier than the staff at Sandburg. “We’ve missed everybody,” explains Polly. “Throughout the pandemic, it was hard to not fully share the Park and not share these wonderful animals and the full story of the Sandburg’s.”
Park Ranger and Barn Manager, Lia Beddingfield, is also thankful to have her volunteers back in the barn. “I have missed the volunteers and missed the visitors. The barn is a beautiful peaceful place but it does get a little lonely when we don’t have our wonderful visitors around.”
Polly admitted to a little nervousness about reintroducing the goat herd to a daily stream of visitors. “ I feel like a parent sending a child off to 1st grade. Our goats have not been in contact with large crowds for a year and half.” Indeed, of the 15 goats in the herd, 5 of them were born in 2020 and have never experienced having admiring adults and excited children anxious to get up close and personal. But, judging by their laid back reaction to the first wave of visitors, they seem ready to greet their adoring public.
Lia and her volunteers are certainly happy to have people back wandering around the pastures. “This is what the park is supposed to be. We are supposed to have smiling faces all around us and share this wonderful story. I love the story of the Sandburg’s. I connect to it. Mrs. Sandburg is such a role model for female leaders and I love to see visitors coming in to learn about their story.”
Polly thinks the return of visitors to the pasture will be good for the herd … and for visitors to the park. “The staff did a fantastic job of working with the goats and giving them as much attention as possible, but that doesn’t replace the love that they get from our visitors. This goat herd is truly beloved. We are so happy to welcome people back.”
