Well, 2020 sure hasn’t turned out like any of us thought it would. While my family is still taking pretty extreme precautions, I am happy that the world is starting to open back up so we can acclimate to the “new normal”. The long awaited summer weather is here in New England and I was absolutely thrilled to hear that Zoo New England was opening back up after their temporary closure in mid-March due to the global health pandemic.
After some “Member Appreciation Days”, both the Franklin Park Zoo and the Stone Zoo reopened to the general public on June 4th. We visited the Franklin Park Zoo this past Saturday and our visit was seamless.
New health and safety measures have been implemented to ensure everyone’s safety while visiting the zoo. These measures include online and timed ticketing, guest capacity limits, one-way paths to control guest flow, clearly designated 6-foot distance markers, enhanced cleaning protocols, more hand sanitizer stations throughout the zoos, and COVID-19 training for all staff.
Guests of the Zoo will be required to purchase tickets online for a designated time slot, and there will be no re-entry once admitted into the Zoo. Members are also required to reserve their time slot prior to their visit. Online tickets are available on their website: www.zoonewengland.org.
Both guests and staff are required to wear face coverings, and adhere to 6-foot social distancing while on Zoo grounds. Most all of the pathways at Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo are now one way with clear path markers for guests to follow. For the first phase of opening, guests can enjoy an Outdoor Safari Walk at the Zoos, but indoor buildings remain closed.
At Franklin Park Zoo, guests will be able to see the lions and tigers at the Kalahari Kingdom/Tiger Tales exhibit; red kangaroos and emus at the Outback Trail; the prairie dogs and red pandas at the Nature’s Neighborhoods Children’s Zoo; the zebras, ostrich and warthogs at Serengeti Crossing; the giraffes and Grevy’s zebra at the Giraffe Savannah, and much more.
At Stone Zoo, guests can see the flamingos and bush dogs at the Caribbean Coast; the black bears, arctic fox and reindeer in Yukon Creek; the snow leopards and markhor goats in the Himalayan Highlands, as well as the new pack of Mexican gray wolf brothers, North American river otters, white-cheeked gibbons and more.
While these have been challenging and unprecedented times, Zoo New England remains committed to their mission to protect and sustain the natural world for future generations. The Zoos’ animal care staff has been on grounds at Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo every day since the closure, providing healthy diets, enrichment activities, veterinary care, and the human interaction the animals look forward to when the gates are open.
To make sure you understand all the guidelines that the zoo is following this summer, please be sure to review the following FAQs before your visit: https://www.zoonewengland.org/franklin-park-zoo/re-opening-faq/
I can’t wait to go places like that again! We could use a fun family outing after being mostly cooped up.
Aww, I’m glad you got to go on an outing. We haven’t done anything recreational yet, besides heading out to a restaurant for dinner.
I loved going to the zoo until i was a teenager and love animals. I took my daughter weekly until she was a teenager. You have done a great job her and love your pics and your writeup.
That’s great! I hope that things stay safe in your neck of the woods. It feels like life may be returning to normal or at least a new normal.
How cool I have always wanted to visit New England that zoo experience looks so cool and perfect for all the family.
We love looking at animals, so I know we’d enjoy it here. If we’re ever in the area, we’ll go for sure. I think the zoo has opened in our area as well.
I am as excited as you this pandemic is long over due. I can’t wait to get back on track of our trip and line up vacation. Zoo is definitely to go place for us, stay healthy!
I can’t wait to check out this zoo. This looks like a great experience.
I miss going to places like this. I wonder if my zoo will open.
Cant wait to go to places like this again with kids. It sounds so fun especially with toddlers.
What a beautiful Zoo. My kids love zoo and we visit it very often. The best way to spend a Sunday together!
This is great! The family can enjoy the outdoors and what a beautiful zoo!
Nice stuff to post and share and little by little the world is coming back to normal with some safety measurement. This is a great start for all of us.
I haven’t been here before, but maybe we can check it out some time. It is good to hear that they have health and safety measures for reopening so that the public can begin to enjoy the zoo again.
It’s always fun to visit the zoo especially when you have kids. And it’s great to know that they’re taking all the necessary precautions.
I’m glad you were able to get to the zoo. My kids always enjoyed going to the zoo, especially when they were younger!
I’m so glad places are opening up again with all the necessary precautions. It will make a fun day out.
Love the zoo! So happy it is open and you can enjoy being outside and visiting the animals.
Our local zoo is asking people to wear masks, but it isn’t a requirement. I will do whatever just so I can get out of the house!
THe zoo is always fun for the kids. Gotta bring them to one this summer.
It’s so great that they have made it safe to take the kids on an outing. We’re looking forward to the Treewalk opening up at the Botanical Gardens near us. It’s one of our favorite places to go.
I am glad you have something to do outside the house now! That looks like a great zoo.
Good to know that gradually businesses opening, can’t wait to go in places like this.
Oh how I miss traveling! Zoo New England sounds like an amazing place to visit. Hope I could be there soon.
I’m still scared to go anywhere but I am certainly happy that places like the zoo are putting safety measures in place.