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Maplewood Farm in North Vancouver

Comments 72 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The other day I traveled about 10kms away from my home in downtown Vancouver and ended up at a 2.5 hectare farm on the North Shore. Maplewood Farm‘s rural heritage in a rapidly expanding urban setting is a rarity and I wanted to learn more about their history, experiences, and educational programs.

Maplewood Farm North Vancouver

Operated by the Parks Department of the District of North Vancouver and a collaboration of volunteers and full time staff, the farm is home to over 200 domestic animals from birds to ponies. Kids can feed the ducks who come to visit, watch a hand-milking demonstration, sign up for pony rides, meet farm hands and volunteers, look in on feeding time with the pigs and Belgian draft horses, and witness the “running of the goats” each day when they go from their paddock to the barn for supper.

Maplewood Farm North Vancouver Maplewood Farm North Vancouver

Maplewood Farm North Vancouver

Maplewood Farm North Vancouver Maplewood Farm North Vancouver

Maplewood Farm North Vancouver

Maplewood Farm North Vancouver Maplewood Farm North Vancouver

The rules are simple at Maplewood. Don’t feed the animals, don’t chase the birds, no loud noises, no swimming with the ducks, and no climbing on the fences. Other than that, kids have free-reign (with adult supervision) to explore the property. During my visit, there were dozens of children, probably between 2 and 5 years old, with their parents feeding ducks and hanging out with the Goat Hill Gang. It’s a great way to teach your kids about the farm animals they may read about in books, and allows them to learn about respecting these creatures.

Maplewood Farm North Vancouver

Maplewood Farm North Vancouver Maplewood Farm North Vancouver

Maplewood Farm North Vancouver

Maplewood Farm North Vancouver Maplewood Farm North Vancouver

Maplewood Farm North Vancouver

According to Find Family Fun, they also host special seasonal events like the Sheep Fair, Country Fair, Pumpkin Day, and the annual Country Christmas. Admission prices range from free (children 0-18 months) to $7 for adults (ages 17 and up). The farm is located just off Mount Seymour Parkway, about 2 minutes from the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, at 405 Seymour River Place, North Vancouver.

Maplewood Farm North Vancouver

If you would like to check out the farm for yourself, I have a family pass available that is good until December, 2011. To win, please leave a comment on this post and I’ll draw a winner next Tuesday, April 5, 2011. You can follow the farm on Twitter @Maplewood_Farm.

Update The winner is Kelly – congratulations!

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72 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. donTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 3:23pm PDT

    sounds fun!

  2. MelissaTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 3:25pm PDT

    I would love to visit the farm!

  3. nocalTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 3:34pm PDT

    Nice one!

  4. RuthTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 3:35pm PDT

    I’d love to take my daughter – so far the only goats she’s seen are in ‘Open the Barn Door’, even though her Dad grew up on a smallholding with goats and chickens. Makes up for losing the Stanley Park petting zoo!

  5. JasonTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 3:36pm PDT

    My boys go bat s*&% for that place.

  6. sherri robsonTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 4:00pm PDT

    My favorite place to take my boys (1 & 3) to burn off steam!! Sooo kid friendly

  7. JojoTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 4:02pm PDT

    It’s a great way to see and learn!

  8. PaulTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 5:29pm PDT

    We go there a couple times a year, good, inexpensive fun.

  9. ErinTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 5:51pm PDT

    Sounds like a fun place to visit

  10. BryanTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 6:20pm PDT

    I’ve decided the little brown goat’s name is Doug.

  11. NicoleTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 6:29pm PDT

    I love Maplewood Farm, I have fond memories of petting the goats when I was a child, they would chew my shoelaces.

    I’d love to go back there!

  12. SaraTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 6:39pm PDT

    Sounds fun!

  13. Henry LowTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 7:15pm PDT

    Nice write up – looks fun! Would like to check this place out to add to my Vancouver photo gallery.

  14. Henry LowTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 7:15pm PDT

    Nice write up – looks fun! Would like to check this place out to add to my Vancouver photo gallery.

  15. RobinTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 7:19pm PDT

    Heard it was a nice place from friends but your pictures make it look great!

  16. Emily HTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 7:42pm PDT

    Love the horses!

  17. JenTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 7:48pm PDT

    I’m 40 years old and this is one of my favourite places! You don’t need to be a kid to enjoy the antics of the goats and the sweet little lambs!

  18. MarthaTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 8:45pm PDT

    I was there today and it was awesome!! My daughter (and myself) had the greatest fun with the goats. It’s great that you can go in there and pet them. They also had baby sheep, one of the farmers was feeding them with a bottle.. soooo cute.
    + fun: Feeding the bunnies

    I love that place!

  19. vincentTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 9:24pm PDT

    haha! nice！　ＸＤ

  20. Suman CohoonTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 9:34pm PDT

    Thank you for sharing, I have never heard of the farm. I can’t wait to take my two boys there. Love your blog

  21. ashleyTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 9:54pm PDT

    I live and teach in north van. I would love to take my own 2 kids and my class there sometime. I hope I win the drw, but either way I will be checking it out! Thanks for sharing!

  22. JasTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 10:17pm PDT

    What a great way to spend time with the family!

  23. DebTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 11:00pm PDT

    I love Maplewood farm…lots of memories from when I was a child…love to share with my children too 🙂

  24. capistranoTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 11:22pm PDT

    i love to win it, plus, we’re a family of four! it’s one way to explore Vancouver, right?

  25. MaryAnnTuesday, March 29th, 2011 — 11:29pm PDT

    would love to visit the farm, love those goats!

  26. VancouverWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 7:17am PDT

    Not what first comes to mind when thinking of Vancouver, but its part of what makes us diverse and exciting. I love these types of places.

  27. AlbertWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 12:38pm PDT

    Maplewood farm is a great place. I would love to visit it again.

  28. ChristineWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 1:19pm PDT

    I would love to take my son..we’ve never been.

  29. Jon StrocelWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 1:34pm PDT

    My kids love Maplewood Farm, they regularly reminisce about the bunnies.

  30. mariaWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 3:53pm PDT

    sounds great!

  31. PhyWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 4:06pm PDT

    Aw those are adorable!

  32. KateWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 5:54pm PDT

    We live close by but I’ve never gone. Your photos have made up my mind and now it’s on my to-do list this spring to take the DH, a niece and a nephew as soon as the entire North Shore is no longer a mud pit…. Would be great to have a family pass to take the kids throughout the year to see the changes in the farm and animals! Gotta be a good Auntie!

  33. Nadine GibbonWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 5:57pm PDT

    Very nice work you did portraying the farm and your pictures were awesome!! From one of the farmers – Nadine

  34. KevinWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 6:34pm PDT

    Haven’t been in a barn for a while.

  35. TeresaWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 6:39pm PDT

    I’d love to check out this farm.

  36. DarcyWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 8:22pm PDT

    I’d like to check it out.

  37. Lori MWednesday, March 30th, 2011 — 8:24pm PDT

    I’ve lived in North Van and have never been. Would love to go…

  38. RebeccaThursday, March 31st, 2011 — 12:02am PDT

    My niece would really enjoy this.

  39. taniaFriday, April 1st, 2011 — 10:25am PDT

    The kids would love this!

  40. rinoFriday, April 1st, 2011 — 10:25am PDT

    Sounds like a lot of fun.

  41. KellyFriday, April 1st, 2011 — 12:06pm PDT

    Family of six here would LOVE to visit Maplewood Farm more often! Thanks for running the contest!

  42. GarrettSaturday, April 2nd, 2011 — 12:23am PDT

    Seems like a great place to take the niece and nephew!

  43. JohnSaturday, April 2nd, 2011 — 1:35am PDT

    Seems like a nice farm to check out !

  44. KevinSaturday, April 2nd, 2011 — 10:06am PDT

    Looks fun!

  45. RenfrewSaturday, April 2nd, 2011 — 8:55pm PDT

    My kids love, love, love to visit the farm.

  46. YingSunday, April 3rd, 2011 — 9:41am PDT

    My granddaughter loves to go visit again and again.

  47. aloSunday, April 3rd, 2011 — 9:44am PDT

    Love to check them out.

  48. ariaSunday, April 3rd, 2011 — 9:46am PDT

    Love to take my daughter.

  49. KeshyraSunday, April 3rd, 2011 — 10:11am PDT

    My whole family loves Maple Wood Farm! It’s a great place for the kids to run around and they love feeding the ducks and bunnies.

  50. FayeSunday, April 3rd, 2011 — 11:21am PDT

    You didn’t mention any peacocks. Are they still there at the farm? I remember a spectacular white one!

  51. LoriSunday, April 3rd, 2011 — 4:22pm PDT

    We can’t wait to go!!

  52. Michelle WilliamsonMonday, April 4th, 2011 — 10:47am PDT

    Looks great!

  53. ACMonday, April 4th, 2011 — 7:44pm PDT

    never knew this place existed. sounds great.

  54. roseMonday, April 4th, 2011 — 10:08pm PDT

    Love to take my daughter.

  55. peteMonday, April 4th, 2011 — 10:12pm PDT

    My daughter’s daycare just went there for a field trip. She wants to revisit it.

  56. aloMonday, April 4th, 2011 — 10:17pm PDT

    Adorable little animals…

  57. P LMonday, April 4th, 2011 — 10:23pm PDT

    We’ve only been to the Queen’s park petting zoo. Maplewood Farm must be nicer.

  58. MattMonday, April 4th, 2011 — 10:30pm PDT

    Wow – pictures look great! I can’t wait to take our boys for the first time!

  59. Stewart RogersTuesday, April 5th, 2011 — 8:52am PDT

    I have never been, sounds interesting.

  60. CandaceTuesday, April 5th, 2011 — 8:53am PDT

    What a great way to spend the day :). Thank you for the give away 🙂

  61. AlexTuesday, April 5th, 2011 — 8:54am PDT

    I live in North Van and take my 2 young boys there. It’s alot of fun. I would live to win a pass and take them more!

  62. Tracey FlattesTuesday, April 5th, 2011 — 8:54am PDT

    My little one loves Maplewood. We visit at least once a month during the summer!

  63. amfriesenTuesday, April 5th, 2011 — 8:59am PDT

    dang hope i’m not too late to enter; know a couple of families who would love this prize

  64. Cecilia FlamingTuesday, April 5th, 2011 — 9:04am PDT

    I would love to visit the farm! What a great idea for a family!

  65. Jean-PaulTuesday, April 5th, 2011 — 9:09am PDT

    My daughter loves going there!

  66. Megan C.Tuesday, April 5th, 2011 — 9:11am PDT

    We would love this! My littles love maplewood!

  67. C_DubTuesday, April 5th, 2011 — 9:26am PDT

    ♡ Maplewood Farm! What a great prize!!

  68. Shannon dTuesday, April 5th, 2011 — 9:30am PDT

    My daughter loves farm animals. We would love to visit the farm

  69. JuliaTuesday, April 5th, 2011 — 9:38am PDT

    Would love to pet the cute little animals!

  70. the AndersonsTuesday, April 5th, 2011 — 9:50am PDT

    Our son loves the goats. Last time we went he named a little black and white one Oreo. We would get lots of use out of a family pass!

  71. Jeremy DysonTuesday, April 5th, 2011 — 2:13pm PDT

    My boy loves hugging the little goats!

  72. JessicaTuesday, April 5th, 2011 — 10:50pm PDT

    I love wonderful places for animals:)

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