Aug. 16-Visitors to the Lake Metroparks Farmpark can test their ability to navigate three acres of winding paths and dead ends when the park's corn maze opens on Aug. 20.
Farmpark Event Manager Andy McGovern said that this year's maze will provide a more traditional experience and "a very good challenge," in contrast to previous years that have had themes or provided direction signs with questions to answer.
The goal is to allow visitors of all ages to "have fun getting lost."
The park allowed a group of 10- to 13-year-old campers to test the maze. McGovern said that they spent about 20 to 30 minutes inside.
"I think it's going to be a lot of fun for people to come in," he said.
The corn is both thick and tall, McGovern said, with some stalks being 9 feet tall.
He added that picnic tables will be located outside the maze and, starting Aug. 23, a playground from Playground World will be available for visitors. Food vendors will also attend the maze's opening weekend.
This year's maze is sponsored by Coca-Cola and is located in the "Triangle Field," one of the two fields the park traditionally uses for the annual event. McGovern said that this rotation is necessary because corn uses a large amount of nutrients from the soil.
Farmpark began planting the field in May, with equine staff focusing on the crops while the event staff designed the maze. McGovern said that once the corn reached a height of about a foot, they used tractors to cut the maze path and various dead ends. They decided to open as soon as they determined the field was ready.
"We're always kind of the first one in the region to open up our corn maze," he said. "Usually, people don't open them up until September for a fall feel, and we're like, 'Hey, it's ready, let's open it up, let's have fun,' and people have a good time."
He added, "It's good Northeast Ohio family fun."
Ahead of the maze's opening, McGovern noted that Farmpark staff will work to add decorations and remove overhanging leaves and dead plants.
He added that staff members want the maze, which started when the Farmpark opened more than 30 years ago, to be both "fun and educational."
"Farmpark is about where your food and fiber comes from, and everybody loves corn," McGovern said. "Yes, this is animal corn, but it's the same principle when they grow sweet corn. Sweet corn stalks are just a little shorter."
He explained that the corn that visitors see will be stored in the winter, and then ground the next year into feed for the Farmpark's animals.
Lake Metroparks Farmpark is located at 8800 Euclid Chardon Road in Kirtland. The corn maze will be available from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Sundays, weather permitting, with Oct. 16 as the maze's final day.
The news release also notes that access to the maze is included in the price of admission. Admission to the Farmpark is between $6 and $8, though it is free for Farmpark members, children under the age of 2 and active military personnel and their families.
For more information visit lakemetroparks.com.
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