They’re baaaack: Goats return to work at Berkley Riverfront Park

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Capistrano has its swallows. Berkley Riverfront Park has its goats.

They are back to work for the third straight year to help clear brush from about a two-acre section of the park.

“These girls, they know their job,” said Kyle Alvis, owner of Goats Gone Green, the company that leases the goats.

The “girls” nonchalantly jumped from the trailer that brought them to their temporary home near the river and then got to work.

Over the next few weeks, the herd of 40 goats will help clear the brush of invasive plants, clearing the trail for the safety of workers and visitors.

Meredith Hoenes, director of Communications for Port KC, says officials wanted to find an option for managing the vegetation. They looked into manpower, but that was going to be too expensive.

The goats are more affordable, and “we’re not using chemicals,” said Hoenes. “We’ve added safety benefits because these goat helped get the brush off the trail. It does take repetition, so we’re considering (hosting goats) twice a year.”

An unexpected added bonus to hosting the goats at the Berkley Riverfront?

“What we didn’t expect is how much everyone would fall in love with the goats, and how much of a staple they would become around spring and summertime,” said Hoenes. “They just bring such a boost of energy, but also a boost of calmness, happiness and joy...money can’t buy that.”

Alvis asks the public to that these are animals.

“Don’t try to get in with them, don’t feed them,” said Alvis. “Just enjoy them and watch them work.”

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