Wards is now charging anyone over age 3 $2 to use the playground. So, if you're a mom with 3 kids, like me, it costs $8 just to use the playground. No, we don't want "something for nothing" like the other reviewer said. I am not rich, and do not live in Sharon. Wards has a store where you buy produce,groceries, lunch and icecream. Hay rides are great, but have never been free. The playground and petting zoo with farm animals is a simple perk and incentive to stop buy and pay for things. I don't think I have ever stopped by without buying anything because the playground is not all that great and I have been to many better public playgrounds that are free. There are also many other local places I can list that have free petting zoos. Now I can't stop by with my kids to get icecream or produce because they are going to whine about going on the swings and climb the haystack. I don't really want to pony up another $8, so we will have to do business elsewhere. ...read more

SO BIG DEAL WARD'S CHARGES $2.00 FOR ADMISSION. THEY HAVE BEEN OFFERING FREE ADMISSION FOR YEARS INCLUDING HAY RIDES. THEY HAVE TO PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES ALSO. EVERYONE WANTS SOMETHING FOR NOTHING ESPECIALLY IN SHARON. GIVE ME, GIVE ME, GIVE ME. THAT IS WHY OUR TAXES ARE SO HIGH. WARD'S OFFERS FRESH PRODUCE, GET SERVICE AND REASONABLE PRICES FOR TOP SHELF QUALITY. YOU SHOULD BE PLEASED TO HAVE WARD'S SO CLOSE. GROW UP FREELOADERS. ...read more

What happened to Ward Berry Farm? My husband took my two year old this weekend to see the farm animals and he said "Wards went *&!*%@!! Huh? Apparently, they started charging to get in as of July 2009. Anyone over 3 years old has to pay $2? Ok, there is a sandbox, some swings, a few stationary bouncy horses for the small children and a donated slide (by Sharon Heights Elementary) There is a small petting Zoo run by FH. It is non profit and we pay $1 for a small bag of pellets to feed the animals if we want. My husband saw a large family arrive and as they were entering a teenager was chasing after them asking "Do you need to pay for bracelets?" The family looked very confused. I know the economy is bad, but what the heck is Wards doing? They put a big moon bounce near the swings, so now people have to pay? Pay to use a playground, see some farm animals and jump in an unnecessary moonbounce? Wards is trying to make this place into an amusement park or a play place? ...read more