my local zoo

[MAC]

is an incredible place, with great exhibits and habitats, a childrens petting zoo, fun rooms filled with cool stuff for kids, beautiful paths and concessions and LOADS of cool animals....and it WAS free

now its gonna cost money...
(http://www.ktbb.com/news1.html#local)
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TYLER -- For the first time in it's nearly 50 year history, you
will have to pay and admission to visit Tyler's Caldwell Zoo. In an effort to make it self sustaining, the fees take effect next summer
after the completion of a $6 million improvement project. Zoo director Hayes Caldwell says the basic entry price will be six dollars, with special rates available for seniors, children and groups. Kids under three will still get in free, there will be annual season passes for sale, and the zoo will schedule four free-admission days per year. Caldwell says the highlight of the capital improvements program is the $2.2 million zoo entry plaza, due to open next summer. Caldwell calls it the zoo's "crown jewel" for visitors. Along with panoramic views of the adjoining exhibits, the entry will include new facilities for visitor services, an expanded gift shop, and an adjacent petting pen the kids can enjoy
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in reflection it is run totally by private donations...of which I never made even one.

I have very little to spend on things like this but I should have given something to something that gave so much to me.

I certainly won't gripe about paying $6 for the only thing I do when I go to town. But this transition makes me wonder what else I take for granted.

[Billyman]

Yeah, you as well as I know that raising animals isn't cheap. I wouldn't have any probs popping the 6 bucks either. Can't really say I blame them.

And, if you dig deep, you'll find all grades of shit you take for granted. For anyone that doesn't, let he cast the first stone.

[Cruise Director]

Our state parks recently put up signs telling you EXACTLY where your money goes when you pay your entrance fees. It's somewhat easier for me to shell out $12 bucks to get in to Lake Powell when I see that 95% of the funds collected go directly back to Lake Powell, it's upkeep and facilities.

[Asmodeus]

They had been tossing that idea around for a while. I had been wondering when they were going to do it.

I have been there once in like 15 years. It's neat. But, with me hating crowds and such, I never went.

My sis and her kids will hate it though. The only reason- well the main one- was that it was free. Oh well.

And as for the taking for granted tangent- well put.

[AcidzCraze]

That was something that I enjoyed frequently as a child. It was a remarkable zoo for being free. It comes as no surprise that they need to charge now.. they've been making renovations the past few years. Did they have donation boxes? Did the seek the help from the community before implementing this new plan? I suppose it doesn't matter anymore though.

[SimpleSimon]

The Caldwell Zoo is a kick-ass facility, and has been for more than 20 years. Very first zoo Jed ever got to go too, and he tried to get up to the cage to pet the nice, pretty kitty (a Siberian tiger), who very much wanted to be petted, from the intent look in his eyes. Had too drag the little beggar away.

When we got to the otter exhibit, they had a large habitat for them, with a glass sided tank where you could watch them swim - his mother had too drag both Jed and I away.

Great facility, considering that Tyler is a small city, I would say it is a world class zoo.

[Mudflap]

This zoo is definately getting at least 6 bucks out of me.

[PB]

Originally posted by Mudflap
This zoo is definately getting at least 6 bucks out of me.

I'm going to check and see if it is open for sure.. for when your here.

I would take Devin pretty much every saturday of the summer to this zoo. We won't go as often now that it's not free, simply for money reasons... but.. We will still be going often@ Devin loves the animals/


V.

[MAC]

Once upon a time in college my biology class got to take a tour of the behind the scenes at that zoo with its director. The part you see is roughly 1/3rd the size of what you DO NOT see. They do have world class programs in breeding and maintaining certain species. Many of which are not "ferocious" enough to get a center stage (and the funding) in larger zoos.
I love their herp house :D
(Its all indigenous snakes set out so you can almost always view them)

They have very nice habitats broken up by th epart of the worl dthey come from. They purposely do NOT have certain species because they do not have that region represented.

And the reason asmo hasn't been is because we never took him with us when we skipped school. ;)