SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ) – The NEW Zoo is reopening to visitors on Wednesday for the first time in about three months.
“Everybody needs some vitamin Z – or some zoo therapy,” says NEW Zoo Director Neil Anderson.
But there will be some changes.
The entrance to the zoo will be on the north side of the visitor center, rather than inside – and tickets should be bought online to help facilitate a touchless experience. Those with memberships should just bring them along.
The daily capacity will be about 1,000 visitors spread across three time slots, which can be found online.
“We are taking a kind of slow and go. We want to make sure we have a really safe experience for everyone and their families,” Anderson says, “We encourage visitors if you feel more comfortable to wear a mask that’s fine our staff will be wearing masks at all times that they’re in the zoo.
There will also be hand sanitizing and washing stations set up throughout the grounds, and there will be plenty of signs reminding people about proper safety and health procedures.
“Kids and families will have a lot of fun when they see what we’ve done with some of the signage that’s out here just to remind you to social distance and, in some cases, stay a lions-length away form each other,” Anderson tells WTAQ News.
But the reopening, like many others recently, will have a phased approach. The first phase will not include the opening of playgrounds, the train ride, or the carousel – those activities will return in phase two.
The only building that will not be open is the Giraffe Discovery Center – which is closed due to the confined space. The visitor center and gift shop will be open, so shopping will be allowed. However, it will be limited to ten visitors in the shop at a time.
But even with the restrictions, Anderson is ready to see people and animals interact once again.
“As much as the public missed seeing the animals, I think also the animals missed the public,” Anderson says, “They had the zoo to themselves for a while, and I’m sure they are excited to have their visitors back – and to interact with visitors as well.”
For more rules, pricing, and other information – head to newzoo.org.
