Franklin Park Zoo How would you improve Franklin Park Zoo?
- Thread starter MOG2012
- Start date
PercideRolo
Well-Known Member
Should work on what needs to be done the most and get everything needed situated. New utilities, new animal care facilities to better care for current collection, find ways to engage customers to have fun, spend time and see animals. Tell a story and engage the public in fun activities while seeing animals. Can’t just keep adding new complexes while other existing facilities and utilities lack or don’t meet the needs of the animals. The lantern and lights is really popular. Need more seasonal activites, dinos, etc. Zoos can have all the animals and exhibits but it they are not engaging fails to get the mission statement across. Zoos aren’t just for zoochatter's, they have to appeal to a wide audience.
Critterkeeper
Active Member
The zoo is currently preparing for AZA accreditation, so many improvements are being made both in the public areas and behind the scenes. Unfortunately, there is a lot that goes on in the background that affects how quickly changes can be made and which ones are prioritized. Zoo New England (Franklin Park and Stone zoos) has a lengthy master plan that covers many years in the future. Unfortunately, with the current President/CEO retiring, many of the details have yet to be ironed out. Once his replacement is selected the executive team and board can begin working on that.
What sometimes gets lost when imagining improvements is the staffing and funding needed to complete those improvements. To revamp just one exhibit means that the animals have to be moved elsewhere or kept in a behind the scenes area (and not all animals have a dedicated off-exhibit area). Depending on the changes being made, nearby species may also need to be relocated to prevent stress from construction noises or to allow access to the exhibit being modified (trucks, plumbing/electrical lines, etc.). In addition to the material costs for the exhibit, contractors need to be hired to complete the modifications. There's so much more that goes into these types of things than it appears at first glance.
The giraffe barn is a prime example. It's something the zoo has wanted to do for many years, but the logistics are complex. There is nowhere else onsite where the animals can be moved during construction, and giraffes can be easily stressed by sudden major changes to their environment. The animals would need to be transferred to another zoo, and transporting a full-grown bull is monumental (Chad is ~ 2,800 lbs and over 17 feet tall). Construction would likely take longer than one season, so the zoo would be without a major species during the busy season. Revenue would be lost from no longer being able to do giraffe feeding experiences with guests, and if you're choosing which zoo to visit because that's an animal you want to see then you'll probably go to Southwick's or Roger Williams (more lost revenue).
Additionally, to host more activities for engaging visitors means more staff is needed, whether that's outside companies like for the lanterns or more zoo staff to host daytime activities or after-hours events. You can only spend each dollar once, so you need to be pragmatic about what you do. When it comes to these types of things, ramping up slowly is better; add a few new staff to cover a few new events/activities which will bring in more guests and that additional revenue can be used in the future to add even more staff/events.
I can confirm that several of the above suggestions are being looked into already and some even have plans in the works. But it takes time, money, and a lot of collaboration to make significant changes, so be patient, we're working on it!
What sometimes gets lost when imagining improvements is the staffing and funding needed to complete those improvements. To revamp just one exhibit means that the animals have to be moved elsewhere or kept in a behind the scenes area (and not all animals have a dedicated off-exhibit area). Depending on the changes being made, nearby species may also need to be relocated to prevent stress from construction noises or to allow access to the exhibit being modified (trucks, plumbing/electrical lines, etc.). In addition to the material costs for the exhibit, contractors need to be hired to complete the modifications. There's so much more that goes into these types of things than it appears at first glance.
The giraffe barn is a prime example. It's something the zoo has wanted to do for many years, but the logistics are complex. There is nowhere else onsite where the animals can be moved during construction, and giraffes can be easily stressed by sudden major changes to their environment. The animals would need to be transferred to another zoo, and transporting a full-grown bull is monumental (Chad is ~ 2,800 lbs and over 17 feet tall). Construction would likely take longer than one season, so the zoo would be without a major species during the busy season. Revenue would be lost from no longer being able to do giraffe feeding experiences with guests, and if you're choosing which zoo to visit because that's an animal you want to see then you'll probably go to Southwick's or Roger Williams (more lost revenue).
Additionally, to host more activities for engaging visitors means more staff is needed, whether that's outside companies like for the lanterns or more zoo staff to host daytime activities or after-hours events. You can only spend each dollar once, so you need to be pragmatic about what you do. When it comes to these types of things, ramping up slowly is better; add a few new staff to cover a few new events/activities which will bring in more guests and that additional revenue can be used in the future to add even more staff/events.
I can confirm that several of the above suggestions are being looked into already and some even have plans in the works. But it takes time, money, and a lot of collaboration to make significant changes, so be patient, we're working on it!
PercideRolo
Well-Known Member
The girafe building is in such an awkwrd spot and they have to travel some distance to get on exhibit. Same with the african asses. A new barn near tropical forest gorilla grove would be ideal.
I would love for Stone to add to asian area with takin and red panda. see takin on the rock with markhor would be quiet the site
I would love for Stone to add to asian area with takin and red panda. see takin on the rock with markhor would be quiet the site
MOG2012
Well-Known Member
I've made a masterplan for this (and Stone Zoo); Zoo New England Master Plan
Takin would possibly "clash" with Roger Williams so I was thinking a hoofstock like Chinese Goral would work
Critterkeeper
Active Member
The zoos are trying to not have too much overlap in species so Stone wont get red pandas unless Franklin decides to deacess theirs.
ManedwolfLover
Member
I've spent a lot of time at Stone and from what I understand this would be nearly impossible. For some reason their markhors are incredible douche bags. iirc they attempted to introduce 2 other females at some point and they were either killed or exiled and removed. So i kind of doubt they would mix them. The barns for the Markhor is also not really large enough for takin, as they share the shell of the building with the mexican wolves and expansion wouldn't really be possible. IMO i think they should just wait out the markors and get takin. Though it might "clash" with roger williams i really don't think they'd care as we share a bunch of species in common. Goral would be cool but i doubt it would bring in the same amount of guests.
But as of the question. I think they need more heavy theming. Like said earlier, construction is difficult because of the animals moving around, but in the long run it's going to need to happen. Both ZNE zoos have such little theming and I think it's going to hurt them soon if not already. I mean yes they both technically have assigned "sections" but they don't really do much. I mean like half of franklin is unthemed and the only part that isn't (africa) has fairly minimal theming and up until recently had tigers in the middle of it. I think a lot of what has been going on recently is a big step in the right direction. I mean i still love gorilla grove even after being to Bronx and countless other larger zoos.