A herd of Angora goats came to the O.C. fairgrounds in 2020 to revitalize a berm around the site's Pacific Amphitheater. Since then, their presence has become one more teachable moment at Centennial Farm.
Print
Never send in a man to do a goat’s job. That valuable lesson was demonstrated recently at the O.C. fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, where a herd of caprine helpers moved in to alleviate a massive hillside headache.
A steep 2-acre berm surrounding the Pacific Amphitheatre, built years ago and modified in 2015 to improve acoustics for concerts, was presenting a predicament as employees struggled to maintain its stubborn surfaces.
Landscape supervisor Barbara Gregerson said a team of gardeners came three or four times a year to whack the slope’s abundant weeds. They had to strap themselves into harnesses attached to a guide line at the top to keep themselves from falling and charged $4,000 to $5,000 per visit.
Goat herd helps clear up a hillside headache at OC fairgrounds amphitheater
Knitty, a 13-year-old llama, stands guard outside the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa Thursday. The OC fairgrounds is piloting an animal landscape program using 18 rented angora goats to keep the steep incline manicured and mini guard donkeys to keep the goats moving.
(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)
Print
Never send in a man to do a goat’s job that valuable lesson was recently demonstrated at the OC fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, where a herd of caprine helpers moved in to alleviate a massive hillside headache.
A steep 2-acre berm surrounding the Pacific Amphiteatre, built years ago and modified in 2015 to improve acoustics for concerts held there, was presenting a predicament as employees struggled to maintain its stubborn surfaces.