It was a festive atmosphere at the David Traylor Zoo Thursday, where a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the grand opening of the zoo’s Jones Testamentary Trust Entrance and Memorial.
Zoo Director Lisa Keith says that the new additions will make the zoo an even more special place on both sides of the gate.
Dedication ceremonies were also held for the redesigned Capitol Federal North American Flyway and the ESB Financial Laughing Kookaburra exhibits. Emporia Friends of the Zoo President Bobby Thompson says Thursday’s grand opening marked the end of a long three-year construction process.
These new and renovated aspects of the zoo represent the lead wave of work as part of the zoo’s nearly $5 million Oasis capital campaign. Later this year, the llamas will be moved to the south, clearing space for a new parking lot, while South Exchange will be paved by the city to provide better access to the zoo from the east side. Next year, the Zoo Education Center will be renovated and expanded, the king vulture exhibit will be renovated and bus parking will be added. In 2023, renovations are coming to the cereopsis goose and wallaby exhibits. 2024 will see the introduction of North American river otters to the zoo, and a new master plan could be announced either as the ongoing construction continues or shortly after it ends.
