Potter Park is a Great Little Zoo
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Potter Park Zoo is a 19-acre zoo very close to downtown Lansing. Because it is small, it is an easy walk for little kids, who won't get tired or cranky like they do walking through a big zoo, such as San Diego or even Detroit's zoo. Although it is small, it is a high-quality zoo accredited by the Assoc. of Zoos and Aquariums (only 10% of animal parks in the USA are accredited). You can see many rare animals, such as Siberian Tigers, Red Pandas, Black Rhinos, Tamarin Monkeys, and Grey Wolves. The zoo is currently undergoing a renaissance, and new exhibits are starting to be completed. For example, the zoo has a new river otter exhibit where you can see otters swimming on the other side of a large window. There is also a small but nicely done coral reef exhibit.
Potter Park has lots of fun stuff for kids, too. There are camel and pony rides during the summer, and the zoo offers classes for kids all year round. Just outside the zoo is a park next to the Red Cedar River. Here, you will find picnic tables and a big playground for kids, too.
The zoo has many special events scheduled throughout the year. During the winter holidays, there is Wonderland of Lights, which lasts from Thanksgiving through the end of the year. There is also Boo at the Zoo for Halloween, Migratory Bird Day, a yearly 5K fund raising run, and the Big Zoo Party.
Potter Park Zoo is in the middle of a densely-wooded area, and so in the heat of summer it is still nice and shady, and in the fall and spring it is quite lovely (gardens are found throughout the zoo). In the winter, because attendance is lower, there is free admission, but you can still see most of the animals.
In short, for a small zoo, Potter Park in Lansing offers a quality time for everybody.
Pros: Beautiful setting, lots of interesting animals, small size so easy to walk through
Cons: Some exhibits are showing their age