This thread would serve as a discussion thread on different changes they would make to Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo. It is a heavy redesign of my old masterplan, with mostly new ideas. Right now, I have several general changes and rules for these ideas but what rules/themes would you add;
Barrier Design
Visual barriers such as fencing and glazing should be designed to minimize their presence and be more immersive. The fencing should be replaced with black vinyl-coated or powder-coated welded wire mesh with glass viewing areas using tempered, low-iron, anti-reflective glazing panels. The panels should be angled properly and regularly cleaned to minimize reflections, glare, and unobstructed views.
Botanical Collection
Exhibits should incorporate a plant collection that reflects its theme, using authentic native flora and suitable ecological analogs. Additionally, plantings should be well-maintained when needed with invasive and non-thematic species removed to preserve design integrity and animal welfare.
Collection Diversity
Zoo New England’s animal collection should emphasize biodiversity and different ecological niches across taxa. Exhibits should have a balanced mix of larger, iconic species alongside complementary smaller species.
Specifically, the avian collection should be strengthened, with an expanding representation of large terrestrial birds such as cranes. In addition, a significant expansion of the reptile, amphibian, and invertebrate should be made to reflect the global biodiversity and have a more diverse collection.
Historic Preservation
Historic structures such as Bird’s World and the Flight Cage should be preserved, without modifying the original architectural theme and exterior look. Modernization efforts should occur only in the interior of the structures or be temporary.
Thematic Exhibit Design
Exhibits should have deeply immersive environments with a clear theme, both conservation and educational. Themes should be cohesive and well-developed, integrating authentic architecture, the botanical collection mentioned above, soundscapes, and interpretive elements.
If I were them id put FPZ updates on hold after the African Experience opens, and focus on Stone Zoo for a little bit. It would be wonderful if they could entirely replace Windows to the Wild with a more modern building (in my opinion it’s the worst part of both zoos by far)
What changes would we do for the future African Experience (my phase 1) a long with some small changes in parts of Nature's Neighborhood (which would be in later phases). Here's some of my ideas;
Have another bird in the penguin enclosure since it's going to be netted I believe - cape teal, white-breasted cormorant, etc.
In the unknown small mammal enclosure, have a somewhat familiar yet cold-tolerant face - Rock hyrax, meerkat, cape porcupine, warthog, aardvark, etc.
Add more individuals for the hoofstock & ostriches in the savanna enclosure
In the hoofstock enclosure, add a larger species (eland, gemsbok, nyala, roan antelope, sable antelope, etc.) and a smaller species (impala, kudu, springbok, etc.)
Incorporate Giraffe Savanna and Kalahari Kingdom into the exhibit (under the same name, African Experience)
Focus on 1 subspecies (they have both styani and fulgens) but I don't know which one
Only have reeve's muntjac in one of the red Panda enclosures (the existing one or the upcoming one). If possible, have a larger group (depending on size)
What changes would we do for the future African Experience (my phase 1) a long with some small changes in parts of Nature's Neighborhood (which would be in later phases). Here's some of my ideas;
Have another bird in the penguin enclosure since it's going to be netted I believe - cape teal, white-breasted cormorant, etc.
In the unknown small mammal enclosure, have a somewhat familiar yet cold-tolerant face - Rock hyrax, meerkat, cape porcupine, warthog, aardvark, etc.
Add more individuals for the hoofstock & ostriches in the savanna enclosure
In the hoofstock enclosure, add a larger species (eland, gemsbok, nyala, roan antelope, sable antelope, etc.) and a smaller species (impala, kudu, springbok, etc.)
Incorporate Giraffe Savanna and Kalahari Kingdom into the exhibit (under the same name, African Experience)
Focus on 1 subspecies (they have both styani and fulgens) but I don't know which one
Only have reeve's muntjac in one of the red Panda enclosures (the existing one or the upcoming one). If possible, have a larger group (depending on size)
Due to the African Penguin’s enclosure being netted, a small flock of Cape Teal (Anas capensis) would be added as they would add more movement and behavioral enrichment. In the enclosure, floating platforms and open-facing shelters would be added.
In the unknown small mammal enclosure adjacent to the penguins, the Rock Hyrax from Stone Zoo would be transferred here as they could utilize the vertical space. It would be netted, have heated rocks, and various crevices and shelves.
In the savanna enclosure, gradually increase the number of individuals for the Common Ostrich, Eastern White-bearded Wildebeest, and Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra to replicate the wild more and enhance animal welfare.
Additionally, to make the savanna more dynamic and diversify the hoofstock collection, herds of Common Eland (Tragelaphus oryx) and Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) would be added.
The adjacent exhibits of Giraffe Savannah and Kalahari Kingdom would be unified with this exhibit, African Experience into a single exhibit. It would be a continuous journey through the varied landscapes of Eastern & Southern Africa.
For a more thematic experience, the planting would be a mix of native African and ecologically analogous flora. The center plantings would be quiver tree and welwitschia along with acacias, Adam’s needle, carrion plants, lead plants, and pale purple coneflowers. Additionally, grasses such as switchgrass and white sage grass and select cacti, shrubs, and succulents would be added.
Red Pandas
Zoo New England currently manages both Chinese Red Panda and Himalayan Red Panda. The zoo should focus exclusively on Chinese Red Panda as they are more cold-tolerant and a breeding group can be established.
The zoo will have 2 Red Panda enclosures, one in Nature’s Neighborhood and the other is adjacent to the latter. The Reeve’s Muntjac should be consolidated to 1 of those enclosures in a large, breeding group of both species.
What changes would we do for Kalahari Kingdom? Here's some of my ideas;
In the cafe, have food choices from Africa to be more immersive like in Freshno Chaffee Zoo
Have a larger pack of spotted hyenas or replace them with the African wild dogs from the entrance
Fill in the moat and add more viewing locations. Additionally, start a breeding pride (due to there only being 1 solitary Lion). Expand the behind the scenes area too
The Spurred tortoise/yellow-footed tortoise would be moved out and replaced with Leopard Tortoise, a more accurate species. Heated rocks and a small pool would be added.
Replace the camels and red river hogs with an African savanna species such as Kudu, warthog or nyala
Build an enclosure to the empty space across from the elephant skeleton
In the kori bustard enclosure, have netting and unclip the birds. It would be a breeding pair
Utilize the enclosure to the right of the kori bustard (nearing hoofstock yards)
What changes would we do for Kalahari Kingdom? Here's some of my ideas;
In the cafe, have food choices from Africa to be more immersive like in Freshno Chaffee Zoo
Have a larger pack of spotted hyenas or replace them with the African wild dogs from the entrance
Fill in the moat and add more viewing locations. Additionally, start a breeding pride (due to there only being 1 solitary Lion). Expand the behind the scenes area too
The Spurred tortoise/yellow-footed tortoise would be moved out and replaced with Leopard Tortoise, a more accurate species. Heated rocks and a small pool would be added.
Replace the camels and red river hogs with an African savanna species such as Kudu, warthog or nyala
Build an enclosure to the empty space across from the elephant skeleton
In the kori bustard enclosure, have netting and unclip the birds. It would be a breeding pair
Utilize the enclosure to the right of the kori bustard (nearing hoofstock yards)
Filling in the moat would take a cool exhibit and leave it looking highly generic (not to mention photography being near impossible for those without specialized equipment) and especially if the moat's accessible, it's a good source of privacy for the animal. I'd rather make the moat accessible.
