A peacock greets Colt Mohr, 9, at Deer Park on June 18. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

When Cynthia Nielsen was in high school, her father, Jeff Nielsen, operated Lagoon Deer Park under the same high standards the park was founded upon, but he intentionally chose to pause any expansion. He didn’t want to pressure his children to take over the business his parents started in 1956.

Cynthia, who had grown up helping run Deer Park, left for Heidelberg University and returned with an undergraduate degree in biology and a Masters of Business Administration. Along with new knowledge and hard-earned degrees, she also came home with something else: a desire to continue the family’s business and take it to a new level. Today, Cynthia and her sister, Amanda Nielsen, help Jeff manage the 150-plus animals in the park.

Colt Mohr, 9, feeds a fallow deer while the feathers of a peacock create a halo around his head. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“We added new fencing, fixed the building, and added A/C to the building. We’re moving in a new direction,” Cynthia said. “Eventually, I want to add some different animals.”

The family’s history in the area precedes the founding of Deer Park in 1956. Jeff’s grandfather, Charles Nielsen, once owned 1,200 acres of land in the Bay View area with his brothers.

“Charles was the second largest commercial fisherman on Lake Erie in the 20s, 30, 40s and 50s,” Jeff said.

In the 1950s, Jeff’s parents, Herb and Patricia Nielsen, visited a deer park while on vacation and decided to create a similar park back home. Lagoon Deer Park opened in 1956 and has connected thousands of visitors to animals ever since. At deer park, visitors can pet and handfeed a friendly herd of fallow deer.

Jeff Nielsen walks with fallow deer at Deer Park, which his parents founded in 1956. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“I think it’s lasted so long because it’s a generational thing. People that came as kids bring their own kids. We see people grow up, and they saw us grow up,” Ashley said. “I see people in their 70s come and just sit and reminisce. I can’t tell you how many people come just to see my dad.”

Ashley said the park is unique because visitors have up-close experiences with the animals.

“When you walk in, it’s like 20 dogs coming to you. The deer follow you around, and they eat out of your hand,” she said. “They’re so gentle.”

In addition to fallow deer, the park features sika deer, llamas, aoudads, goats, four-horned sheep, elk, emu, donkeys and a large, friendly Scottish Highlander. On a recent day, a peacock was ostentatiously showing off his feathers to visitors. About 35 babies have been born in the park so far this summer.

Colt Mohr, 9, and Clayton Mohr, 7, of Texas, feed fallow deer at Deer Park on June 18. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Entry into Deer Park costs $10 for adults, $6 for kids ages 3 to 12, and two and under are free. Bags of feed are available for $1, $2 and $5.

“We wanted to make it affordable for everyone,” Ashley said. “You can pack your lunch and eat at the picnic tables, and people sometimes bring grills here.”

Deer Park features a gift shop and offers fishing in its 56 acres of stocked ponds. Anglers can catch catfish, bullhead, crappie, bluegill and large and smallmouth bass.

“They’ve been catching pike recently,” Ashley said.

Fishing is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and night fishing is open on the weekends from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. The ponds were stocked with about 4,000 pounds of catfish this year.

Cynthia Nielsen is helping her family expand Deer Park, the popular attraction her grandparents founded in 1956. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Fishing costs $9 for adults for a 12-hour session and $6 for kids ages five to 12. Four and under are free. Anglers must bring their own poles and bait.

At one time, the park’s menagerie included monkeys, mountain lions and elephants. Ashley hopes to eventually bring more exotic animals back to the park. But for now, guests can enjoy a distinctively fun experience with the furry mix of animals that live at Deer Park.

“It’s unique because you can walk with the deer,” Ashley said.

Lagoon Deer Park is located at 1502 Martins Point Rd. in Sandusky. It is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.lagoondeerparkohio.com.