Do the zoo
January 22, 2009
It’s winter in Fresno and there’s not much to do. Why not check out the zoo? Through January 31, the Chaffee Zoo is having a special promotion inviting guests to “play like a kid — pay like a kid.” Prices for adults are at children’s prices — only $3.50.
January is a great time to go, too. There aren’t a lot of people there, which makes it nicer, giving you a chance to enjoy the experience in relative peace and quiet.
If you think you’ve been there, done that, think again. Although the zoo has a long history in town, it has been giving itself quite a make-over in the last few years.
There has been a zoo in Roeding Park since at least the 1920s. One of the earliest surviving records detailing the zoo is from 1923 showing that the city of Placerville wanted to present “Roeding Park Zoo” with two bears. While early reports of the zoo detail it as containing unwanted pets and a few exotic animals, by 1929 it had more than 1,000 animals including many birds, bears, deer, elk, mountain lions, coyotes, foxes and two buffalo.
In 1949 the entire city helped to raise money for a baby elephant. Thousands of children sent in dimes, nickels and pennies. On Sept. 11, 1949, Nosey the elephant made her debut. Nosey was a favorite at the zoo until her death at age 47 in 1993.
The zoo was always called Roeding Park Zoo until it’s name was officially changed to The Fresno Zoo in 1985. Following the death of the zoo’s director, Dr. Paul Chaffee, the name was changed to Chaffee Zoological Gardens in 1990. Today, it is simple: The Chaffee Zoo.
No longer supported by the city, the zoo is now a nonprofit organization. But it has continued to grow, expand and offer a first-class zoo-going experience. The exhibits and animal areas have been slowly evolving over the years. The Sunda Forest was opened in 2001 and gave the old zoo a whole new look. The former Lisenby Bandstand, built in 1934 but mostly unused for decades, is now home to the zoo’s Winged Wonder Bird Show.
The Maddis House in the Tropical Rainforest section has been closed for years, but will soon be opening its doors again.
“We’ve gone in and remodeled,” says Patty Peters, director of marketing and development. “It will be reopening March 7th.”
Also returning March 7 through the summer season will be the popular temporary exhibit Stingray Bay.
Your best bet is to go now to take advantage of the lower price. So you won’t get to see the stingrays just yet. You won’t be paying $7 to get in either (and if you park on Belmont, you can save yourself the $3 park entrance fee). Think of it this way: You’re going to like what you see so much now, that you’re going to want to go again once spring fever really hits.
Right now, you can also help adopt an animal. The zoo is sponsoring a program where, with a minimum $35 sponsorship, you can adopt a red wolf and receive an adorable plush version along with a certificate of adoption and a fact sheet. Think Valentine’s Day and that special gift that is outside of the (heart-shaped) box. This is a great idea that she will love (and won’t cause any extra calories).
I was there last week as
I was there last week as well. The stingrays are there, but the exhibit is only open on the weekends right now. I went during the week, but you could still see the stingrays throught the tent.
I was impressed at how clean the zoo was. We really enjoyed ourselves. The only thing I would like to see changed, is the small enclosures the animals were in. Most of them need much larger areas. Animals need room to roam.
I think they should join up with the aquarium and build a huge place together in a new location. Everyone wins that away. The animals especially.
Do the zoo/sting rays
I went to the zoo a week ago, 1/18. The sting rays were there. (As opposed to not there per the article.) The zoo is fine. I wish the City would get the old K-Mart property, use it for parking, education facilities, etc.
If you like going often,
If you like going often, like me and my family does, a membership is more than worth it. We got a family membership for $50. You don't even have to go that often before it pays for itself (plus, you get discounts/free entry to other zoos in the US)!
Highly recommend it!
So this means thanks to tree huggers nothing will get done.
There are millions of dollars in jobs and projects that can boost the State economy currently on hold. All because of environutts!
The voters got suckered in to voting for a sham.
In other news:
I heard they are hiring for food service workers and are posting notices at the Poverello House. I guess there will still be crystaled out cons serving garlic fries.
I hope they hose them down before they let them serve food.
But I still don't trust Cummings or Glover and wont be buying a Grizzlies season ticket this year.
Re: Where is all the zoo tax money going?
In California, we have something call CEQA, the California Environmental Quality Act, which requires major projects like the zoo expansion to go through a lengthy period of environmental review before any work can begin. That's what's going on right now.
Where is all the zoo tax money going?
Nothing major has been done yet.
But a bunch of rich old "High Society Fresno Bluffs Hags" sit on the zoo board.
They collect a check as if they realy need money.
They shamelessly used a little girl and an elephat to create a tax that has done nothing.
Hopefully when the tax expires the voters will see these rich +++++'s for what they are.
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