Will the Jackson Zoo and Livingston Park experience a rebirth? Such might happen if city officials have their way.
Jackson Chief Administrative Officer Pieter Teeuwissen announced at a press conference Friday the city will issue a request for proposals to make the 115-acre Livingston Park a destination similar to "Lefleur's Bluff and the Children's Museum."
The CAO was not wearing rose-colored glasses as he recognized the changing nature of the zoo. The collection shrank from 338 animals in 2018 to its current population of 114 animals. "We envision a different footprint that is smaller and more modern. We will use more cost efficient animals such as reptiles and birds," said Mr. Teeuwissen.
"We plan to evaluate the animals we have and determine what is the right mix of animals that is cost-effective," he continued.
The Mayor's right-hand man said the park is "a valuable asset to Jackson" worth saving. It is a historical property with eight structures designated historical landmarks. One such structure is the Elephant House. Although it no longer houses elephants, it could be a "historic elephant house and used for something else, said Mr. Teeuwissen.
The water leaks at the zoo have been fixed save but one, the notorious leak at the Monkey Island moat. The source of the leak has not been determined.
Deputy Director Von Anderson said the RFI (request for information) will ask how to "take 120 acres in the middle of an urban area and turn it into a family event." The focus will be more on the park than the zoo. 30-40 acres of Livingston Park can be used to create a super park designed for families.
The park is approximately 115 acres. The zoo comprises half of the acreage.
"Attendance at the zoo will increase if there are more amenities. Right now we just have the zoo and some space," said Mr. Teeuwissen. He said the administration wants to dredge the lake and make it suitable for kayaks and paddleboats. The lake will be stocked for fishing.
The zoo is unaccredited. It lost its Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation ten years ago and the Zoological Association of America as well. The Chief Administrative Officer downplayed their loss, arguing kids don't ask about accreditation. However, the lack of accreditation means the zoo can not exchange animals with other zoos while making it harder to purchase animals for its collection.
6 comments:
"We will have more modern and cost efficient animals"
LOL!
"My mama always told me that miracles happen every day. Some people don't think so, but they do". Forrest Gump
There needs to be a grant for studying Quigley's Castle, outside Eureka Springs. My Fayetteville cousins love to regale us with the wonders of Quigley's Castle. "The Tour Guide showed us an exotic bird, and a tropical plant! ...a Parakeet and a Philodendron."
This wonder of the Ozarks popped into my mind, when I read the above plans for the Zoo. Definitely, studying Quigley's Castle would give Zoo Boosters ideas for cost-effective ways of stocking the revivified Zoo with fauna and flora.
Hope springs eternal. At least Horhn got the hiring of the CAO right. Pieter is a stand-up dude who genuinely cares about public service.
Is Teeuwissen neglecting to count the flies, roaches and rats as exhibits? However, his idea to stock the lake for fishing may be productive and fun for nearby residents. A continuous seawall and flocks of aquatic birds including exotic ducks makes running and walking interesting in Austin TX. So perhaps demolish the zoo and build a fitness and fishing park, with high quality barbecue park-grills, set in concrete, that cannot be stolen. That could provide true recreation and family fun, unlike a rotted zoo.
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