Garden Gate Rabbit Park~ the inspiration
of the "On the Banks of Durbin Creek" books!
What is Garden Gate Rabbit Park?
Garden Gate Rabbit Park is the name of our rabbitry which is home sweet home to over 130 rabbits as well as the residence of the Hayward family. We raise many breeds of rabbits here and several varieties of some of the breeds. We raise purebred rabbits that have won several awards and not only are champions but are also registered with the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). Our rabbits are pedigreed and make wonderful pets.
Where is Garden Gate Rabbit Park?
In the wooded foothills of the Appalachian mountains that rolls into the northern portion of South Carolina is the location of our homestead. Our country home and rabbit park on Durbin Creek is the inspiration for my stories and poems written in the children's book series that I have written and illustrated. Our home is also in Laurens County. You may write us at:
Garden Gate Rabbit Park
600 Griffin Rd, Fountain Inn, SC 29644
Email: Loretta @gardengatecards.us
Why Do We Raise Rabbits at Garden Gate Rabbit Park?
Article by Loretta Hayward
Educational
We have learned so many wonderful lessons and life skills by raising rabbits over the past 16 years. (I could write a book about this-and may have to!!) Families can benefit in numerous ways from our experiences or join into the learning process too! Families learn the value of caring for animals and developing good habits in animal husbandry. Building a hutch, carrier, or rabbit shelter is an education as well as an introduction to many skills useful all through life. We teach classes and families the many benefits rabbits are to mankind. Rabbits are known to be a source of food and clothing, but they are also a source for life skills, garden products and a very enjoyable & rewarding friendship!!
Pets
Rabbits are gentle animals that are very sociable making them wonderful pets.
A rabbit makes an enjoyable companion because they are interesting and very amusing too! People find that rabbits are intelligent and very loveable. Rabbits introduce people to some simple pleasures in life that can bring much joy! “ A merry heart doeth good like a medicine!” Sitting with a rabbit outside will make you aware of the lovely creation surrounding you!! In moments you will be relaxed, and pleased with the furry entertainment that makes you forget the cares of the world! (and no therapy charges either!!) You will be amazed at the entertainment they provide a family. Did I say they are also a source of inspiration?
Preservation of Rare Breeds
We help families learn the value of rabbits to protect endangered breeds too. We raise rabbits not only for the enjoyment and fun but also to improve the breeds. The genetics that produce unique and excellent fur and body types of a rabbit will be lost if people do not care for particular breeds of rabbits and protect them from careless cross breeding habits. Our work to preserve American rabbit breeds from extinction is very important. We have raised 22 breeds and currently raise the rare Blue eyed white Beveren rabbit and the Silver Fox in the blue and black varieties. Your help is needed whether you can be involved in raising rabbits or support our established work here at Garden Gate Rabbit Park!
Gardening Benefits
There are many benefits to raising rabbits for gardeners.
We raise rabbits for their fertilizer here at our farm. The dung of the rabbit is valuable to enrich soil and increase the production of fruits and vegetables in our gardens. The red clay of South Carolina can be changed to rich black organic soil by composting the rabbit waste. The droppings under the rabbit hutches that we call dung or manure is better than high priced fertilizers sold in stores. The earthworms also live under the rabbit hutches and make worm beds in the rabbit droppings. Earthworms are good for fishing bait and also good for gardens because they aerate ( ventilate) the soil and also help to further break down the leaf matter that enriches soil.
Aid America’s Rabbit Breeders
People buy our valuable rabbits for enjoyment as pets and also for further growth and development of particular rabbit breeds. There are many important objectives that rabbits breeders consider when starting a rabbitry. Not everyone is involved in scientific research though it is one objective. There are rabbits raised by families interested in a small business. People order rabbits from our rabbitry for the breed quality. Our rabbits win awards at rabbit shows for having the best fur and body type. Beautiful champion rabbits produce the best litters of beautiful baby bunnies! Many rabbitries have been started in several states by Garden Gate rabbits! Valuable rabbits are given good care and attention!
With help people can learn the value of rabbits and appreciate them so much more! Rabbit breeders have shared their interests, experiences and accumulated information for hundreds of years. Remember that when rabbit breeders help each other they help the rabbits too!
The American Rabbit Breeders Association is also a source of help and information when you want to raise a rabbit.(www.Arba.net ) They have an extensive library and their publications can be a helpful source for those that choose to be a member. Members receive a copy of the “Official Guidebook to Raising Better Rabbits” (free with the initial membership), a subscription to “Domestic Rabbits” magazine and more.
What is the History of Garden Gate Rabbit Park?
Over 16 years ago our family homesteaded on 16 acres located on little Durbin Creek. We cleared some of the forest to make an entrance and plot for our home. With hard work and help from my parents and their Allis Chalmer tractor we got the work done. My parents moved here to be part of the life on Durbin Creek!!
Our first introduction to raising rabbits was a “gift” pair of bunnies from a friend we met while living in Greenville. Our boys got more involved when one of our neighbors gave us their old wooden hutch that the boys were able to help repair. Our sons helped their dad replace the hutch door and wire mesh. We bought 2 white New Zealand rabbits to start our first New Zealand rabbit family. We added various breeds through the years. We got California (smut nose) rabbits next and then fell in love with Rex rabbits when we visited a rabbitry in the Greenville area. Our rabbit hutches did not multiply as quickly as the rabbits! So the family went to work designing and building 6 and 8 (hole)door hutches. We met many rabbit loving families and read many books! Dutch rabbits were our next pursuit. We learned that a family in Saluda raised Dutch rabbits for show and we made a visit to their rabbitry. Our first Dutch buck & doe was purchased that day and we learned that Mr Brewer was an ARBA judge and the District 9 director! We learned about ARBA and joined the rabbit club in Saluda. Our first rabbit show that we attended was in Georgia! We started showing when we took one New Zealand to the show in Decatur, GA where we won an award with our buck!! We enjoyed the rabbits, people and variety of activities at the ARBA shows. We have attended ARBA conventions and seen over 23,300 rabbits under one roof!( It is amazing!!) Of 47 breeds we have raised 22 breeds here at the Rabbit Park so far! Our Garden Gate Card business was established in an effort to share with other families the beauty of God’s creation and the joy we have received (as well as feed all those hungry rabbits!!). Through our photographs of our adorable rabbits there is so much to tell!
Not only are the bunnies as sweet as they look they teach us many lessons! Since the rabbits eat through over 300 lbs. of feed each week we also needed a source to financially help maintain our rabbitry! We can only grow as Garden Gate grows!
Speaking Engagements & Garden Gate Rabbit Park Invitations.
Loretta Hayward and her family travel with their rabbits to various events upon invitation. They share their excitement & joy of raising & showing rabbits with a variety of audiences! Loretta is an experienced teacher, author, illustrator/ photographer and public speaker. With a variety of programs and assorted presentations they provide great entertainment and helpful information. Programs are adjusted to a range of themes and audiences.
Garden Gate Rabbits make a birthday, picnic or business event an unforgettable day! Your guests will agree we are EXTRAORDINARY!!! Children and adults are thoroughly entertained by the vast differences in our rabbits whether petting English Lops, gathering around a Flemish Giant or giggling at the antics of a Netherland Dwarf! ( In fact adults actually appreciate our programs even more than children!!) It is a great opportunity for pictures and inspiration!!
Email: Loretta@gardengatecards.us Call 8674-876-3914 (9:00-8:00 EST)
Plan your next event.
Our rabbits are invited to a huge variety of events. Many are listed on our home page of our website. Events for the public are listed with details and location. Private events are also scheduled. We need to be contacted in advance. The fee charged to attend your event with our rabbits is based upon the size of the event (number of people), time frame, distance to your location and the number of our family needed for the programming. (Basic fee starts $75)
Consider inviting us to your
Business Conventions
Family & Senior Citizen Outting
Farm Day, Camp, Hay Rides
Pioneer Days,
City Festival
Church Events
Family Fun Day
Easter Fair
Libraries
Author's Convention
Easter & Seasonal Fairs (Pumpkin Festival Christmas Fair )
Educational Skill Development (Story telling, writing etc.)
Classrooms & School Events,
Business Promotions or picnics
Customer Appreciation Days
Workshops
Art in the Park or Craft Day, Scout meetings, 4H
Private: Birthday Parties, Spring Break & Breakfast
Tea & Garden Parties
There are facilities available at libraries, schools, recreation centers, park pavilions, churches, fair and camp grounds, farms and club houses where you can hold an event and we can meet.
Our rabbits are taken to indoor or out door events.
Indoor Events: Preparations include good lighting, moderate temperatures, and ordinary noise levels for conversation and good communication.
Outdoor Events: Preparations include shaded location in the summer, with wind break, and moderate noise levels allowing for conversation and good communication.
For Educational /Youth Groups, Scouts, Children’s Classes in art, crafts, Reading & Writing- we have extra handouts! (Request ahead of scheduled visit so we are prepared)
Can People Visit Garden Gate Rabbit Park?
We certainly enjoy having visitors and would love for you to meet our adorable rabbits! We make appointments with families and various groups as our schedule permits. Appointments need to be made. Please call a week or more in advance if you are requesting a particular date. A fee/donation is requested to visit with Garden Gate rabbits. The fee will help offset the many expenses of the Rabbit Park and also pays for the family staff that is assisting at the time. The fee is based upon the number of people in your group, the amount of time requested, the age group and the type of the visit. (we add variety to customize the visit to fit a special occasion puppets, games & program themes etc.)
Since we have had a number of calls every day about our rabbits etc. we have to prepare in advance for visitors. People love seeing the many breeds and petting real Garden Gate bunnies! It takes much preparation for your scheduled visit. Our family staff has to plan for your visit as well. They work days in advance choosing & grooming bunnies, getting carriers ready, and preparing the grounds. Then after your visit there is much work returning to schedule, completing regular chores and overall cleanup.
A consent agreement form is also signed in order to visit the Rabbit Park.
Special Requests-
When you contact us tell how many of your family or group will be visiting and what their ages are. Please let us know what day of the week you prefer and what time of day you are requesting. If you have to leave a message- we will reply promptly and let you know what dates are available. In preparation for a visit we send a consent form that will need to be completed for your family and all that are visiting. You are welcome to take pictures of your family members with our rabbits.
Please let us know if anyone in your family or group is having a birthday or if the park visit is a special celebration etc.
The Appointed Day of Your Visit to Garden Gate Rabbit Park.
We request that no one with a head cold or runny nose, (sneezing, coughing) come to visit until they are well. The rabbits can contact that illness/germ when they clean themselves after being petted. Sickness for a rabbit can develop into pneumonia and even death. Loss of a rabbit is the loss of a friend to our park.. Our rabbits are valuable and a treasure we do not want to lose.
Prepare children for your visit.
Children love bunnies and like to show their excitement! (Do they learn that from their mommy or daddy?) We like to prepare children that are visiting a bunny for the first time. We can help children to know how to behave around young rabbits. Our rabbits do not bite. Our young bunnies are learning and may taste your sleeve or even lick your hand. Our concern is that children do not put an exploring finger into the mouth of a bunny!
Bunnies are timid and shy. Loud noise, screams, running and quick movements will alarm a rabbit causing them to panic in fear or franticly over react. Rabbits get hurt or injured if there is a panic. Baby rabbits in shock will die.
Remember you are visiting real bunnies. Some rabbits will be loose during your visit! When you sit still the rabbits will hop over to you and visit. Everyone will be smiling and giggling as they take time to pet the rabbits. There is plenty of time to talk and ask questions! There is plenty of room and many rabbits to see! When everyone behaves kindly everyone has a good time!
People must remember to be calm and casual at the rabbit tables and wagon. Please learn when you are excited to smile and politely laugh. (excitement takes many forms and we can learn to show our joy without shaking our hands, waving our arms and jumping all over-until the rabbits are put away)
No running or jumping is allowed
Do not chase the loose rabbits.
No shouts or screaming is allowed.
♦♦♦ ♦♦♦ Petting Rabbits ♦♦♦ ♦♦♦
(Young Children need to be supervised and shown how to pet rabbits.)
Pet a rabbit by smoothing down the bunny’s fur.
Learn to pet a rabbit rather than pat. ( we pet rabbits and pat dogs!)
Stroke the bunny’s head and across its ears.
Stroke the fur along the bunny’s back.
Bunnies like the attention and your soft voice.
Do not pick up the bunnies or rabbits.
Do not put your finger on the rabbit’s mouth. (we do not teach the bunny to nibble on fingers)
Do not touch the bunny’s eye.
Be kind one to another! Be kind to the rabbits too.
They will be gentle friends all of their lives when they are properly treated.
♦♦♦ ♦♦♦ ♦♦♦ ♦♦♦ ♦♦♦ ♦♦♦ ♦♦♦
Preparation.
Dress Appropriately.
Please wear comfortable shoes that will protect your feet when walking. The countryside is beautiful but the ground is rough in areas and uneven. Wear clean casual clothes. You are visiting with animals out in the country and will get dusty!
Our facilities Are Limited.
There are no drinking fountains, food vendors, public restrooms, or sidewalks for wheelchair access etc. Our park is in the country at our home along Durbin Creek. We have seating (though most people prefer standing and moving about our rabbit activity areas.) Let us know your ideas. Let us know if you have special requests. Special arrangements can be made in advance for particular rented supplies or facilities. We can make special arrangements (party or picnic) for additional charges.
We can tailor your visit to fit your social gathering. Cold bottled water or beverages (non alcoholic) can be made available. A chemical outhouse can be rented & delivered for a fee per day ( to have restroom facilities.) Restroom facilities are required if there is to be a picnic or meal served during your visit. Those additional expenses will be added to the fee as additional charges upon your signed request.
Visiting Garden Gate Rabbit Park is exciting, educational and fun! As time allows we have games and activities guaranteed to bring smiles! There are some surprises always in store for our visitors! Time flies while you visit so be sure to come prepared to take some pictures. We work to make this a special occasion for you. The memories you take home will be a pleasure for years to come.
Please tell us if you are interested in purchasing our Garden Gate posters, note cards, books calendars etc.(illustrated with our cute rabbits!) We want to be prepared!!
For Children’s Classes- we have extra handouts! (Request ahead of scheduled visit so we are prepared)
We look forward to hearing from you! The Hayward Family
Please contact us at Loretta@gardengatecards.us Call 864- 876-3914
Help us Grow
We would love to do more for our families and school groups.
As we teach and help others to grow and mature into responsible adults we plan for Garden Gate Rabbit Park to grow. We hope to have more facilities available one day. As resources allow- plans for building a pavilion in our flower garden will be a reality!
If you desire to sponsor our educational work, and help us maintain our extraordinary Garden Gate Rabbit Park and also preserve America’s rare rabbits send your donations to:
Garden Gate Rabbit Park,
600 Griffin Rd.
Fountain Inn, SC 29644.
A unique Garden Gate keepsake gift will be sent as a token of our gratitude for every donation over one hundred dollars.
Garden Gate Cards is our family business that features my photographs of our bunnies for the purpose of printing products to promote rabbits, enrich the lives of families and hopefully make a profit one day that will help pay the expenses of Garden Gate Rabbit Park!!
Every Garden Gate note card, calendar, book or print you purchase supports our work and keeps many other Americans and small local businesses operating-since all of our products are custom made and printed here in the USA!
We sincerely thank you for your patronage!
Loretta Hayward
Teacher (B.A., and B.S. degree), public speaker, author, photographer and illustrator.
For more information please Email: Loretta@gardengatecards.us
This information by Loretta Hayward is not to be copied without written permission.