Shelby woman looks to develop family entertainment center at farm

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Andrea Walton walks down the driveway of her family farm on Maple Ridge Road in Medina where she plans to develop a family entertainment venue. She recently graduated from the Microenterprise Assistance Program.

MEDINA – Andrea Walton’s proposed new business – an entertainment venue at her family farm – isn’t going to happen overnight.

The Medina resident who was one of the graduates from the recent Microenterprise Assistance Program plans to create the entertainment center at the family farm on Maple Ridge Road. Walton grew up on the farm at 11412 Maple Ridge Rd., a daughter of Sharon and the late Walter Hurd.

Andrea Walton points to Oak Orchard Creek, which runs through her family farm on Maple Ridge Road. Her plans include a miniature golf course where she is standing, gem stone mining and an ice cream stand.

“There are a lot of pieces to the puzzle and I will add one piece at a time,” Walton said.

Her plans for what she is calling the Donkey’s Barnyard are to build a miniature golf course along the bank of Oak Orchard Creek, which runs through the property. Then she wants to have gemstone mining for children, U-pick pumpkins, a corn maze, petting zoo and playground for kids. One of the barns will become an ice cream and hot dog stand.

Walton works for a wholesale plumbing and heating contractor in Batavia and looked at developing such a site 12 years ago. She took an entrepreneurial class then, but the plans fell apart, she said.

“The idea has been back in my head for a long time,” she said.

She decided to take the Microenterprise Assistance Program class for the networking opportunities and potential to work with other entrepreneurs. The program is run through the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

Walton’s parents bought the farm in 1961. The land is rented out now, but Walton plans to repurpose part of it for her venture.

“I want this to be a place where families can have fun,” Walton said.

Her goal is to be able to start construction on the miniature golf course by next spring.