Little Rock Zoo staff members sought ideas from the public Wednesday on how to spend an Arkansas State Parks Outdoor Recreation grant that the zoo is applying for - and the dozen people who gathered for the meeting had no shortage of suggestions.
The grant, which would match funds of as much as $250,000, could pay for new animal exhibits, but zoo spokesman Susan Altrui urged the public to think outside the cage.
“There’s a whole plethora of things we could be creative about,” she said.
Things like water features, shade structures or an educational theater, she said. The public had more ideas.
Leonard A. Boyle and Sha Stephens, executive directors of the Arkansas Governor’s Commission on People with Disabilities and the Arkansas Independent Living Council, respectively, said the zoo could use the grant to increase accessibility for people with disabilities. Boyle said he’s pushing for a special day at the zoo for people with disabilities.
“A lot of times there’s places they won’t even attempt to go because it feels like they’re not invited,” Stephens said.
Ted Gibson of Sherman, a father who said his kids are eager for a trip to the zoo, had one major complaint.
“The signage at our zoois horrible,” he said. “When you leave the gates, you don’t even know which direction to go.”
Altrui said the zoo has plans to revamp its signage and its “entire entryway experience.”
Gibson suggested tour guides, as well.
Meredith Ross of Little Rock suggested that the zoo expand on its current “dollar days” promotion and introduce one free family day a year. Altrui said the zoo attracts about 13,000 visitors on dollar days with $1 admission - about triple its attendance on a busy, regular admission day.
Ross, a former sixth-grade math and science teacher,said many of her students had never been to the zoo. They’re missing out on a major learning opportunity, she said.
“That exposure is so important and so exciting,” she said.
Other ideas included a petting zoo and an ocean exhibit, which could feature saltwater animals, sea otters and the like. The zoo will take public opinion into account when it applies for the grant, although the timeline for the changes depends on the depth of work necessary.
Whatever zoo leaders choose, they say it will fit into the zoo’s master plan, a $40 million to $50 million expansion blueprint that includes 3.8 acres of additional land, a new layout for the zoo andnew exhibits. Meanwhile, the zoo has hired education-outreach staff members and hasplans for shorter-term projects, like revamping the signage.
Those changes are possible because of revenue from the 2011 Little Rock tax increase that voters approved, Altrui said. She said the increase provides much needed funds that the zoo lacked in previous years.
“The zoo is playing catchup,” she said. “We think in the next year to two years you’re going to see a lot of these things happening.”
And with continued investment, community interest and staff dedication, the zoo could have big things in store, said Mike Blakely, zoo director.
The Memphis zoo “20 years ago was one of the worst zoos in the country,” he said. “It’s now one of the best.”
The Little Rock Zoo is continuing to accept public feedback through its online survey, www.surveymonkey.com/s/zooparksgrant .-
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 11 on 07/04/2013