Barron Park Donkeys, by Jenny Kiratli

Once home to Perry, who was chosen as the animation model for “Donkey” in the 2001 DreamWorks film Shrek, the Barron Park Donkey Project is an important part of the history of early Palo Alto.

It all started in the 1930s when Stanford physicist and Dutch immigrant Cornelis Bol bought a large piece of undeveloped property, created a farm, and added donkeys. Decades later, his heirs sold 4.75 acres to Barron Park residents for half the market value to be used as a community park (Cornelius Bol Park), which officially opened to the public in April 1974. At that time, the donkeys were moved from the farm property to the nearby pasture where they can be found to this day, along a bike and foot path in the Barron Park neighborhood.

Run by volunteers, the Barron Park Donkey Project has given sanctuary to two generations of donkeys. Although no longer with us, Perry was a beloved member of the community for many years, graciously greeting visitors and adoring fans who came to visit. The New York Times even wrote an article about him when he passed away in January, 2025, and the Washington Post, People, and USA Today wrote about him as well.

A Safe Place to Call Home

The Barron Park Donkey Project has provided a safe haven for many donkeys over the years:

• First, there was Mickey, the last of the Bol family donkeys, who was the first donkey that Barron Park neighbors cared for and the start of the Barron Park Donkey Project in 1996. He was born July 1, 1967, and died one month after his 31st birthday.

  
  

• Then came Perry in the Spring of 1997, a feisty 3-year-old Jerusalem miniature donkey who adored Mickey and became his constant companion. Perry had a sense of humor and if you weren’t paying attention, might come up and nip you to get your attention. He was a star and he knew it. “Perry just had an air about him,” said Nanette Singer, a longtime volunteer. “He was all light and gentleness and sweetness ─ everyone loved him.” When we lost him in January 2025, we received condolences from around the world.

  
  

• Next came Miner Forty-Niner, who was named after the gold miners in California. A desert rescue from the Mojave Desert, Niner came to the pasture in 1998. He and Perry became fast friends and fellow “mischief makers” as they learned to unlatch the gate and escape from the pasture whenever the coast was clear.

  
  

• Then came Jenny, who was brought to the park in 2016 as a new friend for Perry after Niner’s death. She was also a desert rescue and Perry adored her. They could often be seen standing together with her head resting on his back.

  
  

And finally came our latest additions:

• Buddy, a fuzzy, dark chocolate-colored Jerusalem miniature donkey, who arrived in December 2020, after Jenny’s death. Buddy loves to lick things: people, the pasture gate, you name it! He is intelligent, friendly, and a wonderful “buddy” for April. Guests visiting the park love to hang out with him and he feels the same.

• April, a sweet, sometimes mischievous, utterly charming little girl who is also headstrong in her “donkeyesk” sort of way. Because of allergies and skin problems, she wears pajamas a lot of the time, and when we come over to put them on for her, she happily lifts up each hoof so we can do that. On the other hand, when we come with her pills, she runs away and sticks her head in a bush so we can’t get to her mouth and push them in. Buddy was smitten with April the minute she arrived and has been her ardent admirer ever since.

How Perry Became a Movie Star

When Perry was about 5 years old, animators at DreamWorks were just starting to work on Shrek and wanted to find a live donkey to study so they would get the body language right. They stumbled upon Perry at their local park and with the handler’s permission, a group of animators came to visit, watching Perry in action and taking many videos that captured his movements.

Shrek became a cultural phenomenon in 2001, with Perry’s moment of fame following its release. That said, Perry took all the attention in stride as he shared his gentle nature, affectionate nuzzles, and playfulness with visitors to the park.

How You Can Help

Over time, the Barron Park Donkey Project has become a destination for people who love donkeys, or are curious about donkeys, or just want to visit a quiet slice of tech-free, rural life right in the middle of bustling Silicon Valley.

A nonprofit since 2001, we love to have visitors, are always looking for volunteers, and all donations are greatly appreciated. Donkeys get lonely so we have 2 (or occasionally 3) at any one time. Your support helps us care for these gentle souls who continue to bring smiles to the neighborhood ─ with every donation going directly to their care.