Conference moira::parenting_v3

    There's the Stone Zoo in Stoneham. I know nothing about it except
    that Kat enjoyed it when she went there on a class field trip in
    third grade.
    
    --bonnie

    Check out other notes (like the one on one-day trips) - there's the
    animal farm south of Worcester whose name totally escapes me at the
    moment.  If you want a little one (don't know the age of your child)
    Greenhill Park in Worcester (off Belmont St/Rte 9) has animals.
    
    

    there is Southwicks wild animal park (don't know where its located),
    and the Stoneham zoo in Stoneham.  Also I think that they opened up the
    Franklin Park Zoo in Boston.
    
    Have fun.
    
    Liz

    Brian is 3 and he loves Greenhill Park, but he's been there often.  I'm
    looking for more of an all day trip.  The Stone Zoo could be a
    possibility -- thanks.
    
                                               Tracy

    
    Southwick Animal Farm is in Mendon, MA.  Quite a few of the animals
    from Benson's now reside at Southwick.  
    
    Directions:  From RTE. 495 - take the Milford Rt 109 exit. Follow
    until it merges with RTE 16.  The merge is at the first set of lights.
    Stay on RTE 16 - Go through Milford and Hopedale into Mendon. appx
    10 - 15 minutes drive.  There's large sign  that's on the left hand
    side of the road for Southwick.  Take the left as indicated and
    follow the signs to Southwick.
    
    Gotta Go,
    
    Pat K.
    

Call the Stone Zoo before you drive all the way out there.  I hear they
are closing (already closed?) soon due to state budget cuts.

-Amy

    Southwick Fram cost $6.00 for adults and 3.00? for children under 3....
    
    REK

    Roger Williams Park is in Providence, R.I.  It is located off of Rte 95
    about 6 miles after you pass the Statehouse or Civic Center heading
    south.  Take the Elmwood Ave exit off of 95 (there is a sign for the
    Park), Turn left on Elmwood Ave (heading south again) and in about 1/4
    mile there will be an entrance to the Park.  The Park is large and
    there are many entrances to it and much more to it than the Zoo Area.
    I do recommend the Zoo, the Temple of Music, the new Merry-Go-Round is
    very nice.  The Park is being renovated.  It's a friendly place, lots
    of parents with their young children.  We were there just 2 weeks ago
    to take in the Merry-Go-Round.  It is full size just and located next
    to the one that used to be in the park.  I don't know how many of you
    out there went to the park as kids but the 2 small scale trains that
    was my favourite ride as a kid are coming back.  Remember the trains
    you sat in and pedalled with your hands.  There is also a Museum which
    may still be closed due to renovations.  If you live within 50 miles
    of the Park it would be worth a day trip there just to check it out.
    
    
    
    pedalled around the track with your hands?  

    
    
    We live very close to the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, and thoroughly
    recommend it.  They have a large children's zoo, with lots of animals
    to touch and plenty of activities, a couple of wonderful bird exhibits
    and the new African Tropical Forest.  The latter is a world-class
    exhibit - we take all of our visitors there, as there is plenty to see
    for everyone, from baby to adult.  I recently visited the Stone Zoo,
    and while children seem to enjoy it, and it is mobbed on weekends, it
    is more of a traditional place, with cages and concrete.  Franklin Park
    Zoo is for the most part anything but.  There are wide open spaces to
    run in, and no shortage of things to see.  The area itself - Franklin
    Park, has recently undergone a tremendous number of renovations, being
    part of the "necklace", and is now quite safe, especially during zoo
    hours.  
    
    Jane

 Roger Williams Park is located in Providence, RI.  Take rte 95S to the 
Elmwood Ave exit, take a left off the exit and it's on your left.  It's 
easy to get to, but may be a little too far for you, it's about 20 minutes
from the MA/RI border.
 We were there a couple weeks ago (about 10mins from our house), it's
changed since I was a kid but is really nice.  The Zoo part of it can't
be beat, polar bears, penguins, petting zoo, bald eagles, bird house (just
redone), etc.. The Park is very large and has beautiful gardens and lots
of open spaces for picnics, a pony ride area, an old-time carousel, pedal
boat rentals, statues, ducks to feed in the ponds.  Beware, on the weekends
it gets crowded.  There is no admission to the Park but the Zoo is something
like $3.  Personally, I like Roger Williams better than the Stone Zoo.
 If you go, definitely pack a lunch, the prices in the Menagerie (gift shop/
food) are pretty expensive (like most places).  Have fun, wherever you go!
            Laura

    We went to Southwick's for father's day, really enjoyed it!  They
    seem to be getting better every year.  They do have a petting zoo
    too with goats and sheep, my daughter (18 mo.) just loved it.  They
    also have a few kiddie rides as well as pony and elephant rides.
    It is a nice day, I recommend this place for kids and adults.
           
    They also have a show but we did not see it.
    
    -Darlene

    Try the Friendly Farm in Dublin, NH.  This is a petting farm with lots
    of animals to see, including a brand new baby donkey!  It's located
    just west of Dublin New Hampshire, on Rt 101.  Definately worth a trip
    up to NH. (We've been there a zillion times).
    

    How about Forest Park in Springfield, MA? It's on Sumner Avenue - I
    can't remember the route number but it is right off the interstate
    (I-91??).
    
    They have a good sized zoo - petting included. Also some ponds you can
    rent paddle boats, feed the ducks, there's a public swimming pool, a
    train that goes around the whole park, picnic tables and quite an extensive
    play area for the children. It's definitely a full day with
    assorted activities. There is no charge to get into the park itself but
    the zoo, pool and train cost something - not much though. I think the
    admission for the zoo was about $1.50 for adults and $.50 for children,
    but don't quote me.
    
    The most "exotic" animals you will find are bears and lammas. There are
    no lions or tigers. Lots of cute baby animals (piglets and colts), the 
    biggest bullfrog I've EVER seen in my life and lots of traditional farm
    animals. They used to even have horse rides but I think the horses are
    just used and maintained for the park patrol.   
    
    The Springfield area code is 413 so give information a call for more
    details.
    
    Have a fun day!!
                         

    Thanks to everyone for all the information.  I talked to a co-worker
    over lunch about Roger William's Zoo and it sounds wonderful.  I think
    Brian and I will go there tomorrow but I'm going to keep all the other
    places in mind too.  Brian's got a brand new little brother at home, so
    I'm planning to do a lot of day trips with him this summer -- both as
    special times for him and to let his Mom get some rest.  Thanks again
    for the help.
    
                                                  Tracy

    Another vote for Southwick's in Mendon.  My wife took our two there and
    they had a blast.  My daughter (2.5yrs) didn't want to leave.  She
    loved to pet and hug the animals.  (Of course being a Mendon resident,
    I might be just a little biased...-)
    
    Dan

    
    Can anyone provide directions to the Friendly Farm mentioned in 56.12?
    I've tried to send mail to HYSTER::DELISLE since last Friday, and
    keep getting error messages.
    
    We'll be coming north from Mass. 495 to Route 3...
    
    Thank you,
    
    Laurie
    

    Here are directions to Friendly Farm.  
    
    Take Exit 8 from Route 3 North, and head west on Route 101A.  
    
    Take a left onto Route 101 West (sign says Keene, NH).
    
    Remain on Route 101W until you reach Friendly Farm.  It is just a few
    miles past the center of Dublin, NH, on the left.