Anyone already has the Masterplan CMZ 2012 plus (CLR Design) scanned up in detail?
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Cleveland Zoo next project
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I do not know how accurate it is since it was created while Steve Taylor was still there. Plans have changed. Asian Highlands, Tiger Passage, and the upcoming cheetah exhibit were not even on it.
Steve Taylor and Brian Zimmerman (CEO of Cleveland Metroparks) had disagreements on how the zoo should move forward, so its safe to say none of the master planning Steve undertook is being followed. Example: The master plan converted Waterfowl Lake into an area similar to what Asian Highlands is now, but that became the location of Stillwater Place after Steve's departure.
The layouts of the new exhibits we see posted on the website are all distinctly different from Steve Taylor's master plan. Its unfortunate in its own way, because Steve took a lot of time to get input from all the staff (keepers, concessions, education, etc.) in order to best serve everyone's needs and wants. But that's not to say the new exhibits aren't fantastic - they are all vast improvements.
Thanks for the extra info: but yet where are these damn new masterplan thingies then?
I cannot imagine the CEO and team work from blank paper (and for all good purposes) they will want to share those with the community right, if not to get their support on board but to inform them what is going on ....!???
I cannot imagine the CEO and team work from blank paper (and for all good purposes) they will want to share those with the community right, if not to get their support on board but to inform them what is going on ....!???
Maybe this yell help. There have been changes, but it may give you an idea.
https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com...e2-b1dc3177164e/Zoo-10-Year-Capital-Plan.ashx
See April 17th. There is audio.
| Cleveland Metroparks
The way I heard it: Brian Zimmerman was brought in to revitalize the Cleveland Metroparks which (in all fairness) he has done. But he decided his municipal park expertise meant he knew what was best for the zoo, which pushed and pushes a lot of people's buttons. This led to a number of ideas that I'm hoping they've ditched - I remember there was a serious discussion about removing the rainforest storm exhibit (with the porcupines) and converting it into an event space for weddings etc. in the Rainforest. This is also why the carousel, 4D theater, and Stillwater Place were greenlit and built so quickly: more spaces for monetization, which (in all fairness) was something Steve Taylor didn't prioritize.
The admins are probably looking at the lavish and frankly awe-inspiring expansions at Columbus and Cincinnati and just trying to play catch-up with smaller scale exhibits that don't require African Elephant Crossing levels of money. This also ensures the zoo doesn't lose signature exhibits. i.e. losing snow leopards and gorillas because PC&A is an awful space for them. This happened when Aurora the polar bear died and they're keen not to see it happen again. If I was to harbor a guess, the planning is oriented around what could be lost & what could be gained rather than a comprehensive reflection of the zoo and its mission. Again (in all fairness) is not the worst thing in the world, but it is limiting and not terribly inventive. I like Asian Highlands and Tiger Passage but I wouldn't call either exhibit exceptional.
CMZ is my zoo, and maybe my expectations are unrealistic, but I want to see it take the lead on exhibits and animal management as they once did. The choices they're making are sound and lucrative but also very safe. Cbus and Cinnci are pushing boundaries with (in all fairness) a lot more capital.
CMZ is making ends meet. I want to see them make history again.
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Great post and I understand your sentiments in regards to the zoo's overall mission. I also appreciate you giving props where they are due with some of the changes. I think that in order to go back to being a leader in research and animal care, some of these exhibit upgrades and independent funding initiatives needed to happen. I'm sure if you could ask the admins what their 30 year plan is, a massive expansion is somewhere in there but there is no reason to even plan it until they get the house they have in order.
You are absolutely correct! There's a lot of work still to do without the obvious issues. Cleveland suffered from an abundance of funding during a time when zoo were catch-alls for animals without any thought of animal health or conservation - the Pachyderm Building and Bear Grottos in the 1950s, PC&A in the architecturally abysmal 70s, etc. This makes big moves difficult, and there's a definite momentum to their smaller projects. That's encouraging. I'd never say their current projects aren't needed or aren't good ideas - just not terribly ambitious.
Personally, I'd like them to consider a massive Madagascar exhibit. CMZ has always had a healthy population of lemurs and a diversity of different species, and their breeding success is especially crucial today. That's my (personal) definition of an excellent zoo exhibit: one-of-a-kind for exhibition and conservation, ambitious in scope, playing to the zoo's strengths and simultaneously fulfilling the needs of visitors and the zoo's mission. This is, to me, what Detroit's Penguin Conservation Center, Cbus's Heart of Africa and CMZ's own Wolf Wilderness achieved.
Oh, you got me monologuing . . .
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After the Rhino yard expansion, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's next projects include a New Tropical Bear exhibit, replacing the existing grottoes and a 3 phased addition to the Rainforest, to renovate the current dome and add exhibit space for the Gorillas and Lemurs. I have added the concept art for the Rainforest expansion.
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I won't even try to hide my feelings - that looks incredible!
The dome needs an overhaul very badly. Idk who originally thought having the orangutans on bare rocks was a good idea. And if they keep with the aesthetic of the original with what I can make out with that small rendering of the exhibit itself these could be awe-inspiring additions to the zoo. The Rainforest is the perfect locale for all the mentioned species.
My only initial concern is space, particularly for the orangutans. I hope they are somehow able to add a bit more to their current spot. But judging by the footprints of the proposed additions these look massive.
They'd better start writing the obituary for PC&A.
The dome needs an overhaul very badly. Idk who originally thought having the orangutans on bare rocks was a good idea. And if they keep with the aesthetic of the original with what I can make out with that small rendering of the exhibit itself these could be awe-inspiring additions to the zoo. The Rainforest is the perfect locale for all the mentioned species.
My only initial concern is space, particularly for the orangutans. I hope they are somehow able to add a bit more to their current spot. But judging by the footprints of the proposed additions these look massive.
They'd better start writing the obituary for PC&A.
Tropical bears as in Sun or Sloth?
(Also, is this from a recent CMZ document? Has anyone from CMZ corroborated this?)
They have been putting out bids for these projects. I keep an eye on the Cleveland Metroparks board meetings.
I would guess sloth bears as they only have one senior sun bear and that species of bear unfortunately seems to be phasing out of US Zoos. Plus, they had the most success with breeding in the past couple of years with their sloth bear (although their male did move to Philadelphia).
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
Looking at the Metroparks Board minutes where the fee for the architects is listed I would not anticipate a radically new exhibit.
You're thinking for bear grottos or just across the board?
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
Bears. Architect fee $47k
(First of all, I'm alive! Haven't been on since 2015!)
From which angle are we looking at this? I'm guessing it's the backstage becoming gorillas?
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This would be massive and really cool! The Rainforest is a gem of an exhibit but in need of updating. Also, how exhibits have evolved since its creation could definitely impact it current exhibits. The orangutans need to be shown in a more natural looking environment, not a concrete and rope one. People need to feel as if they are going on a journey, they do when they first walk in and in other parts, but not the whole time. The bears moving out of their grottoes and into better spaces is a huge improvement and probably frees up their old spaces for major renovations too. I know they have talked about the Gorillas for a long time, they consider them a marquee animal and one they have a history of good research with, giving them better homes is necessary and should advance the mission of the zoo.
This project would be on the level of African Elephant Crossing. I hope they pull it off!
This project would be on the level of African Elephant Crossing. I hope they pull it off!
So I was thinking about this current design and noticed something significant - unless I'm mistaken, there's no outdoor exhibits for gorillas or lemurs in this design. That's either an egregious oversight or the CMZ has new ideas on how to exhibit these animals.
Thoughts?
The last I heard they were planning a giant greenhouse that the upper windows could be open in the summer. It would use specialized glass and live plants.