LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The Lincoln Children’s Zoo’s large expansion is expected to house more animals, more parking and an entrance that’s open all year.
The $16 million project is expected to be completed by 2019. The zoo has already reached $13 million of its goal, the Lincoln Journal Star (https://bit.ly/2mWmUg9 ) reported.
The project is part of a fundraising campaign that zoo director John Chapo said quietly started a year ago but went public Wednesday. It’s a joint effort between the Children’s Zoo, the city, county, Lincoln Public Schools and private donors.
The expansion includes adding 10 acres to its current 8.8-acre property to include giraffes, tigers and spider monkeys.
“More animals, more first-hand interactions and more ’Love Your Zoo,’” Chapo said.
Lincoln Public Schools will also expand its Science Focus Program with the zoo that superintendent Steve Joel said will allow enrollment to double from 100 to 200. Sheridan Elementary and Bennet Elementary schools attended the unveiling of the expansion plan Wednesday.
“From the reaction of the kids, survey says that’s a winner right there,” said Larry the Cable Guy, who also attended the event.
Gov. Pete Rickets addressed the children at the event, supporting the expansion.
“Kids, we have the best place to be here in Nebraska, and it’s because of all the adults that worked together to make the zoo bigger,” he said. “Because that’s what we do as Nebraskans, we work together to solve problems. And this is a great example of that.”
The Children’s Zoo is currently third in the state’s stop arts and cultural destinations.
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Information from: Lincoln Journal Star, https://www.journalstar.com
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