The Oldest Zoo in our Nation has fallen on hard times. Not only have they lost their accreditation but they have had animals removed from the facilities that housed them at the zoo because of lack of care.
Bad management over the years and lack of funding have been the zoo's enemy. Infighting among staff has been part of the problem with animals being neglected while power plays remained the bone of contention among the employees.
This city run zoo should have been monitored by outside sources throughout the years instead of the board of directors they have to do the job because apparently they have not done their job very well.
When I was a child the Zoo was the best place to visit. Not only did the zoo have all kinds of animals located all over the park but they had amusement rides and games, Carousel and swimming pools for the kiddies to occupy themselves all day. We would buy tickets for the miniature train rides in areas in the zoo besides ride the ferris wheel and other amusements. Our parents would bring picnics and old fashioned ice cream makers and they would make our outing at the Zoo a days event of fun and frolic for the kids and adults alike.
Once the city started decreasing funding for the upkeep of the zoo the zoo started to deteriorate to the point that now all thats left of it are the grounds, a few animals and bird housing a small petting zoo and not much else.
The last few zoo directors were unqualified to run the facility and one director was even charged with cruelty to animals at her former zoo she was director of.
Its going to take a major overhaul of the zoo to get it back on track again and because the residents of the city pay for the zoo they should demand that the Zoo Board of Directors should be removed and all changes should be voted on by the residents instead of a handful of persons who don't know the first thing about maintaining a zoo.
Prices are high for both children and adults just to visit what animals they have house there at this time. Until they can get the zoo up to snuff I would not pay the price of admission.
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