Taxpayers Can't Bear Idea Of $16M Bear Exhibit At Turtle Back Zoo

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A plan to build a new, $16 million exhibit at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange is meeting with fierce pushback from some community members.

Officials are seeking Green Acre funding for a three-acre "North American bear exhibit" at the Turtle Back Zoo, according to the Essex County Parks Foundation's recent application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

On the NJDEP application, officials stated that their request for $8 million in Green Acre funds would be matched by Essex County. The new exhibit would replace the existing "Wild New Jersey" area of the zoo. It would include a 6,000 square foot building and a 130,680 square foot outdoor area.

The zoo already has an exhibit featuring American black bears, which is open year-round.

Local nonprofits Our Green West Orange and the League of Humane Voters of New Jersey have blasted the proposed bear exhibit and called for a freeze on future development at the Turtle Back. Activists and community members have claimed that the new exhibit is a misuse of taxpayer dollars, and would contribute to a laundry list of zoo-related issues for nearby West Orange residents, such as traffic and noise.

In addition, animals such as bears – whose natural habitats can cover thousands of miles – aren’t a good fit for a suburban zoo like the Turtle Back, opponents say.

An online petition titled “No Turtle Back Zoo Expansion” has garnered more than 7,000 signatures.

On Monday, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said that officials are keeping an open ear to the public’s concerns.

“We are always looking to create new exhibits that will continually improve our visitors’ experience at Turtle Back Zoo and encourage them to come back again and again,” DiVincenzo said. “We believe a new bear exhibit will generate excitement and help raise awareness about our conservation and education initiatives. We currently are at the very beginning of the design and planning phase and will work diligently to address any concerns shared by the public.”

According to its website, the Turtle Back Zoo is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and is “committed to providing an enriching recreational experience that fosters excellence in wildlife education and wildlife conservation."

In 2018, the zoo achieved certification through the global American Humane Conservation program.

Turtle Back Zoo saw more than 900,000 visitors in 2017.

• See related article: Turtle Back Zoo Reaches Record-Setting Visitor Total

‘BEARS NEED OPEN SPACES’... AND SO DO HUMANS

County officials hoping for a smooth journey to a new bear exhibit may be in for a bumpy ride if critics have any say in the matter.

“Essex County has become enamored of growing the Turtle Back Zoo, spending tens of millions of taxpayer dollars on animal exhibits while cloaking its activity in the veneer of conservation,” the League of Humane Voters of NJ recently stated in a news release.

"Tens of millions of dollars spent on the zoo are diverted from the Open Space Trust Fund," the group continued. "Imagine the benefits to residents and wildlife if that money were to be spent acquiring habitat instead."

But it's not just about money, the league pointed out.

“Bears live in diverse habitats,” the group stated, questioning the ethics of putting bears in the Turtle Back Zoo. “Their home range can cover thousands of miles. Studies show they fare very poorly in captivity and spend much of their day pacing, walking in tight circles, swaying or rolling their heads and demonstrate psychological distress. Bears need wide open spaces, rivers, salmon, forests and freedom.”

Bears aren't the only ones who can use some space. Lately, the zoo has become more of an "entertainment complex" than a conservation organization, the league claimed.

“The original intent of the South Mountain Reservation as a passive and peaceful Olmsted-designed park is being irreparably damaged,” the League of Humane Voters of NJ stated, referring to the 2,112-acre nature reserve adjacent to the zoo. “Even though the zoo is in a 23-acre section, the traffic, light shows, music and promotions are preventing peaceful use of the reservation.”

• See related article: Party With The Animals In Essex County ('Brew At The Zoo')

In addition, the zoo is creating "unendurable" traffic problems for local residents, some of whom spend up to 40 minutes trying to drive past it during peak hours, activists said.

While the county’s plan to build a $14.5 million parking deck at the zoo may help to alleviate some of the traffic woes, just like all development, the extra parking will come at a price.

“Hundreds of mature trees have come down for exhibits and three parking decks,” according to the League of Humane Voters of NJ. “69 more trees are marked for removal all around the reservoir that have died as a result of construction at the zoo.”

RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE TURTLE BACK ZOO

Recent development at the Turtle Back Zoo has included the following projects.

Flamingos – A $3.2 million flamingo exhibit made its debut last year. It has a pool, nesting island in the middle of the pool and an imitation waterfall, as well as a 1,000-square-foot indoor facility to hold the birds when they aren’t on exhibit. (Learn more here)

Leopards – A $2.58 million "behind the scenes" renovation took place at the leopard exhibit in 2018. (Learn more here)

Penguins – A $6 million habitat for the zoo’s penguin population built last year includes a 4,200 square foot building with fabricated rock walls and a 30,000-gallon salt water pool to simulate the animals’ natural habitat. (Learn more here)

Lions/Hyenas – In June 2017, the zoo opened the Ronald J. Mount Lion and Hyena Exhibit, a $3.6 million, half-acre habitat that includes a two-foot pool and exposed rock formation, a heated stone patio to attract the lions, three public viewing stations and a heated, one-story building that is “designed to resemble an old North African fortress.” (Learn more here)

Giraffes – In 2016, the zoo opened its long-awaited, $7 million giraffe exhibit, which included four Masai giraffes, as well as eland, whistling ducks, ostrich and tortoises. (Learn more here) One of the giraffes, Hodari, died after showing “strange behavior” in June 2017.

OTHER GREEN ACRES APPLICATIONS IN ESSEX COUNTY

The NJDEP's Green Acres program was created in 1961 to preserve New Jersey's natural environment and its historic, scenic and recreational resources for "public use and enjoyment." Over the years, voters have authorized more than $3 billion in Green Acres funding, approving every bond referendum put before them, according to state officials.

Green Acres’ 2019 application round closed on March 30. The NJDEP received 116 new applications for land acquisition, park development and stewardship projects throughout the state, as well as 61 requests for supplemental funding for previously approved projects.

Essex County's bear exhibit plan is bundled together with a proposal to renovate baseball fields at Brookdale Park in Montclair/Bloomfield, bringing the county's total request for Green Acres funds to $10.5 million. Combined, the two projects will cost $21 million, officials estimated.

Other projects seeking 2019 Green Acres Park Development and Stewardship funding in Essex County include:

BELLEVILLE

Belleville Municipal Stadium Improvements - $4,182,066 Green Acres request, $5,182,066 total project cost - "The Township of Belleville is requesting funding to develop and rehabilitate recreational fields at Belleville Municipal Stadium."

Rifle Range Preserve Project - $105,000 Green Acres request, $140,000 total project cost - "The Township of Belleville seeks funding to transform an abandoned ballfield into a nature park with native vegetation, a trail with signage for passive recreation and environmental education."

BLOOMFIELD

Third River Park Trail - $286,968 Green Acres request, $382,624 total project cost - "Bloomfield Township seeks funding to create a trail and interactive outdoor learning experience for all ages at the Third River Park and Preserve."

EAST ORANGE

Columbian Park Improvements - $3,699,090 Green Acres request, $4,699,090 total project cost - "The City of East Orange would like to make comprehensive upgrades to Columbian Playground, an existing park located in the City's 5th Ward."

MONTCLAIR

Multi-Park Development - $1,329,600 Green Acres request, $1,772,800 total project cost - "Montclair Township seeks funding for Essex and Nishuane Park. At Essex Park, improvements will include pathway reconstruction, new playground surface and equipment, lighting, drainage, restroom renovations and amenities. Improvements to Nishuane Park will include pathway reconstruction, a reconstructed basketball court, resurfaced tennis courts, resurfaced parking lot, benches, tables and other amenities."

NEWARK

Frederick Douglas Park - $750,000 Green Acres request, $1,000,000 total project cost - "The City of Newark is proposing to redevelop existing park land into an open, accessible, user-friendly community park, that will provide opportunities for active and passive recreation including walking paths, community gardens, seating areas, a gazebo and native plants and trees."

NUTLEY

DeMuro Park Improvements Project - $731,160 Green Acres request, $731,160 total project cost -"Nutley Township is requesting Green Acres funding to rehabilitate the existing track and field amenities and tennis court facilities at DeMuro Park."

ORANGE

City of Orange Twp Multi-Park Development Project - $897,958 Green Acres request, $3,997,278 total project cost - "The City of Orange Township has requested Green Acres funding for improvements at three parks: Colgate Park, located at North Center and New Streets, Ropes Playground, located at the intersection of Washington and Bradford Streets, and Alden and High Street Park."

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