Holly, the 1 1/2-year-old pregnant Dutch Belted Heifer, has joined the barnyard at West Hartford’s Westmoor Park on Flagg Road.

New Belted Galloway ‘Oreo’ cow joined the barnyard at Westmoor Park, December 2105. Photo credit: Amy Melvin

By Joy Taylor, Photos by Amy Melvin

A local grandmother shared some good news about a recent addition to town – a new “oreo” cow at Westmoor Park on Flagg Road.

The park recently welcomed the 1 1/2-year-old Dutch Belted Heifer – a dairy breed as opposed to a beef cow – purchased from the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, CT.

“The Sisters at the Abbey have a small herd of these cows that they raise for milk and cheese making,” said Park Naturalist Doug Jackson.

There will soon be another Dutch Belted Heifer at Westmoor Park. “Our new cow is named Holly, and she was purchased pregnant; due to give birth in late June,” Jackson added.

The 162-acre park includes a barnyard that is open daily and, in addition to Holly, is home to horses, bunnies, chickens, three goats, a baby alpaca, a Jersey dairy cow, ducks, geese, cats and more.

Frequent visitors have likely been greeted by the ducks and delighted by the French Alpine dairy goats Cozette, Eloise, and Cecila that arrived in the spring of 2015.

The young goats have grown up with Olaf the alpaca, who came to the park in January 2015. After a rough start in life, Olaf (who is an alpaca, and not a llama as originally assumed when he was a young fragile cria), is thriving and is very comfortable with people.

A flock of Silver Laced Wyandotte chickens produce eggs that are available for sale in the office. You can visit the farm online, but nothing compares to an in-person visit.

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New Dutch Belted Heifer ‘Oreo’ cow joined the barnyard at Westmoor Park, December 2105. Photo credit: Amy Melvin

Up close and personal with the very friendly Olaf the alpaca at Westmoor Park, West Hartford, CT. Photo credit: Amy Melvin

Silver Laced Wyandotte chicken at Westmoor Park, West Hartford, CT. Photo credit: Joy Taylor

The chickens have been busy at Westmoor Park, West Hartford. Photo credit: Joy Taylor

Kitty at Westmoor Park, West Hartford, CT. Photo credit: Amy Melvin