FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES PLANS TO
UPGRADE TURTLE BACK ZOO WITH NEW DINING PAVILION SHELTER,
PLAYGROUND AND RESTROOM FACILITY
$1.2 Million Project to Make Zoo More Visitor Friendly and Accessible
Posted: March 13, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES PLANS TO
UPGRADE TURTLE BACK ZOO WITH NEW DINING PAVILION SHELTER,
PLAYGROUND AND RESTROOM FACILITY
$1.2 Million Project to Make Zoo More Visitor Friendly and Accessible
West Orange, NJ - Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced the start of a $1.2 million project at Essex County's Turtle Back Zoo. The plan includes constructing an open air dining pavilion and playground, and improving handicap accessibility. The improvements are part of the County Executive's initiative to transform Turtle Back Zoo into a year-round destination attraction and gain accreditation from the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.
"With the help of the Zoological Society and the volunteer Docents, we have received grant funding and support to make a significant investment to construct new and exciting natural habitat exhibits and make infrastructure improvements, and have transformed Turtle Back Zoo into a recreation and education destination," DiVincenzo said. "The pavilion will protect our visitors from inclement weather and the play area will give our young visitors a diversion when breaking for lunch," he added.
The new open-air pavilion will be located next to the existing, enclosed Dining Pavilion. The 3,360-square-foot-structure will have a paved floor and create a cleaner and neater picnic area for families and groups visiting the Zoo. It will have 30 new picnic tables, and six of those will meet ADA requirements. A playground designed for children ages 12 and under will be constructed adjacent to the new pavilion. The playground will be designed with a North American Woods theme, which will complement the nearby Bison, Elk and Prairie Dog exhibits. The play area will feature nature-themed games, have a rubberized safety surface and meet ADA requirements. A restroom building will be constructed to accommodate the increased usage. The area will be landscaped and site upgrades will improve handicap accessibility.
"I am astounded at all the progress that has happened here," Freeholder Vice President Patricia Sebold said. "I am proud of what we have accomplished here in such a short time," she added.
"I look at the Zoo with great reverence," Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura said. "This place means so much to our children and our families. Joe DiVincenzo, his administration and volunteers are making this such a greater place where families can spend time together and make memories," he added.
"With the leadership and support from County Executive DiVincenzo, there is a renewed community spirit about Turtle Back Zoo," Zoo Director Dr. Jeremy Goodman said. "The quality of the visit for people coming through our gates is determined by our naturalistic and exciting animal exhibits and the amenities we offer. Our new facilities will make Turtle Back Zoo an even more family-friendly attraction and enhance the time visitors spend here," he added.
The Essex County firm of Fay, Spofford & Thorndike was awarded a $63,850 contract to design the Dining Pavilion, playground, restroom building and site improvements. The architect did consult with a tree expert to prevent healthy trees from being cut down. Crosson Construction Co. of Red Bank was awarded a $1,175,000 construction contract. Funding for the project is being provided through a Multi-Park Improvement Grant from Green Acres and the Essex County Capital Budget. The project is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2006.
A temporary picnic area will be open while the Dining Pavilion and Playground are under construction.
Since taking office in 2003, DiVincenzo has spearheaded about $13 million in upgrades have been made to or are planned for Essex County's Turtle Back Zoo, including $1.2 million for the 18,000-square-foot Black Bear Exhibit featuring Jelly and Jam, $2 million for the 6,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Animal Hospital, $500,000 for the 3,360-square-foot Essex Farm Petting Zoo, $500,000 for the 15,000-square-foot South American Animal Exhibit and $500,000 to upgrade fencing and infrastructure to meet American Zoo and Aquarium Association requirements. Currently under construction is the $7 million Reptile and Education Center, $1.2 million for the dining pavilion and playground, and $100,000 to improve landscaping at the zoo's entrance. All funding has been provided through Green Acres grants, existing capital improvement bonds, or donations from the Zoological Society, Essex County Parks Foundation or private foundations. In addition, a new attendance record of more than 211,000 people was set last year and was the highest total in two decades.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system in the United States. It has been expanded to include about 6,000 acres of land. There are 17 parks, four reservations, a zoo, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range and miniature golf course. Turtle Back Zoo is located in Essex County's South Mountain Reservation and was opened to the public in 1963. There are 80 different species of native and exotic animals from five continents featured at Turtle Back Zoo.
