The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-09-02, Page 29Feet
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GODEItICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1987—PAGE 7A
Local man's ho
BY YV ETTE ZANDBERGEN
Local rewident..Hariy Burgsma believes
in the saying "no nappiows. is. ce.a.fruil+'s`+
you share it with others," and he certainly
has an impressive hobby to share.
Burgsma, who has a chicken and hog
operation and owns another farm one mile
north of his home, has his own personal
park, fully equipped with fountains, exotic
animals and remnants of his past.
In the actual park across the street from
his Ashfield Township farm just off County
Road 1, black neck swans, mute swans,
ducks and geese can be seen wallowing_ in
the ponds. A trail can be taken which leads
to the bizarre eland and the ostrich family
and beyond the trail, deer can be found...
According to Burgsma, deer come out
most frequently in early evening. The park
is like a dream come true for the Holland
native and his natural ability with animals
is. evident. On the property adjacent to his
house one could see goats, zebras, llamas
and donkeys.
He insists his park is a hobby and has no
by is
FEATURE_-
R F ORT
intention to commercialize it for profit. He
created it out of his "love for God's
creation."
"I am a first generation immigrant and I
believe in giving back to the country what
the country has given me.
He started the park six years ago by
transforming the property across the read
from his house. The seven and one half
acre of land was a swamp with a river
flowing through it which Burgsma thought
made a natural setting. Through the years,
he dug ponds, planted trees and built up
the area in general. Eventually, he added
a fence and began buying a few animals.
He obtained the more unusual animals
Here, Burgsma sits in front of a windmill he
made. It is an actual windmill, which could
be found in Holland, which pushes the water
up from the ground and makes the land
dry. (photo by Yvette Zandbergen)
The eland is from the antelope family and
can be a dangerous animal. The eland can
jump a standard fence with no effort and is
capable of killing.
nother m
from such sources as private individuals,
the African Lion Safari and zoos. These
animals, he said, require a special kind of
feed and it usually takes him 5 minutes a
day just to complete this chore.
Burgsma said he learned to take care of
animals like the eland and ostrich through
trial and error.
"I had worked with poultry and hogs
before so I was familiar with animals," he
said. "I learned by listening to others and
through trial and error. Each animal has
his own character and it is interesting to
work with them."
According to Burgsma, the eland is
perhaps the most dangerous animal he
owns. The eland is from the antelope fami-
ly and possesses a horn in the middle of its
head. The face of an eland is similar to that
of a deer. Burgsma said it could jump a
standard fence with no effort and it is
capable of killing.
The zebra, originally from Africa, can
become domestic but cannot be trained
because of its temperament. He told of a
time when a zebra tore the wing off one of
his rhea.
"They are a very mysterious animal,"
he said. "They don't mean to kill but they
enjoy the chase."
Also in Burgsma's park are three
categories of the ostrich family; the
ostrich, the emu and the rhea. He explain-
ed the difference between the rhea and the
ostrich is the size (rhea are smaller) and
ostrich has three toes while the rhea and
emu have two. The ostrich can be especial-
ly dangerous when the female has laid
eggs and the male hatches them. The
ostrich has a 30 year life span.
Burgsma has built many remnants of
Holland which are scattered throughout
the park. He built an actual windmill that
pushes water up from the land, making the
land dry. He also built draw bridges, foun-
tains; and a replica of a Dutch smoke
.house. On a separate island, which can be
reached by a drawbridge, is an exact
replica of a small Dutch homestead and he
designed it the same way, with the living
quarters in the front and the back quarters
for cows and pigs. It portrays how many of
the poorer families in Holland lived.
He said the biggest advantage of having
his park is giving others enjoyment.
"When others enjoy -it, this is the biggest
thriii." he said, "Most animals can be en=
joyed from the road." It is not uncommon
to see cars parked at the road looking in at
his park.
Ten years ago, Burgsma said he.,would
not have thought he would have his own
park. •
"I'm kind , of a dreamer," he said,
laughing. "My mind goes way ahead of
what I am doing. Sometimes I wish t could
shut my mind off."
"I don't want to come across as a suc-
cess story," he said. "I am just thankful to
God for giving me good health and a lot of
opportunities."
Burgsrna said.he is unsure of the future,
but said he will likely a few more animals.
"Animals have to be able to put up with
each other," he said. "It has to stay fun,"
Burgsrna came to Canada in 1955 at the
age of 17 and worked in construction in
Sarnia for three years. Shortly after this,
he met his wife, Gerda, and they moved to
the house they are living in now and began
farming. They have five sons which have
followed in their father's footsteps either
through construction or farming. They
also have four grandchidren who can
share in the pleasure of the park.
n's p adise
The eland can be a dangerous animal and is capable of killing. Here, Burgsma feeds his
eland with a special feed.(photo by Yvette Zandbergen)
In Burgsma's park, many reminders from his past home, Holland, can be found. Here,
Burgsma, sits in front of a replica of a Dutch homestead. These homesteads were lived in by
the poorer people of Holland.(photo by Yvette Zandbergen)
Burgsma called the zebra a "mysterious animal" and once tore the wing off one of his rhea.
A zebra cannot he trained because of its temperament.
INFORMATION
FOR
G.D.C.I.
STUDENTS
School reopens on Tuesday, September 8th.
Buses will run at the regular time on Tuesday morning, and will leave at the regular time
(3:55 p.m.) Tuesday afternoon.
Students from the Goderich district attending G.D.C.I. will report to the West Gymnasium
no later than 8:55 a.m.
Home Room lists will be posted in several locations throughout the school. Please check
on your home room before proceding to the gymnasium.
Harry Burgsrna owns three categories of the ostrich family including the ostrich, the rhea
and the emu. The ostrich, who have a 30 year life span, receive their daily feeding. ( photo by
Yvette Zandbergen)
Students who have not registered should do so immediately by telephoning the school of-
fice (524-7353) between 8 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Students are asked to bring either a Dudley combination lock or $5.50 to purchase a new lock.
Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 students will be supplied with all textbooks by the Huron County
Board of Education.
Student fee for year is $10.00 and will be collected from students on Wednesday,
September 9th.
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