Essex County Ponders ‘Master Plan’ For Turtle Back Zoo

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Since 2003, the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo has seen more than $70 million in upgrades. But what – if anything – should come next?

On Wednesday, Essex County officials announced that a public meeting about the zoo’s “master plan” will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22 at its Education Center, 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange.

“Creating a master plan will help us establish a blueprint for future development and improvements,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said. “We are looking forward to hearing from the public and listening to their ideas because it will help us set priorities to enhance the Zoo and surrounding complex.”

According to county officials:

“Since taking office in 2003, DiVincenzo has spearheaded over $70 million in upgrades to the facility, which have included developing a new Educational Building, the Carousel with 33 figures of endangered animals; building the African Adventure Exhibit with Masai Giraffes, Lions and Hyenas; Sea Lion Sound Exhibit with sea lions, sharks and sting rays; the Big Cat Country Exhibit with jaguars and cougars; Tam-ring Gibbons Reserve with white cheeked gibbons apes, Reeves muntjac and white naped cranes; Australian Exhibit that features kangaroos, wallabies, emus and over 500 birds in the Aviary; Reptile and Education Center, open air dining pavilion and playground, Penguin Exhibit, Otter Exhibit, Wolf Exhibit, Alligator Exhibit, North American Animal Exhibit, Black Bear Exhibit, Animal Hospital, Essex Farm Petting Zoo and South American Animal Exhibit; building the Savanna Café and making upgrades to the entrance as well as fencing and infrastructure to meet AZA requirements.”

• See related article: Turtle Back Zoo Reaches Record-Setting Visitor Total For 2017
• See related article: New Jersey's Turtle Back Zoo Opens Lion, Hyena Exhibit
• See related article: NJ's Turtle Back Zoo Has 3 New Animals (PHOTOS)
• See related article: Turtle Back Zoo Starts Work On $6M Penguin Exhibit
• See related article: NJ Turtle Back Zoo's Beloved Giraffe Dies; Exhibited 'Strange Behavior,' Staff Says

County officials said that funding for the projects has been provided through Green Acres grants, existing capital improvement bonds and/or donations from the Zoological Society, Essex County Parks Foundation, corporations or private foundations.

Corporations that have provided support include Investors Bank, Prudential Financial, Inc., Wells Fargo (Wachovia Bank), PNC Bank, PSE&G, Verizon, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Coca Cola, Capital One Bank, TD Bank, Aramark, Covanta Energy and OxyMagic carpet cleaning.

What do you think, Essex County? What animals or improvements would you like to see at the Turtle Back Zoo? Or has there been enough development at the zoo for now? Let us know in the comment section.

Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

File Photo: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo