From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Washington Park Zoo
Washington Park Zoo
Washington Park Zoo The zoo was moved to its current location in the sand
Location Michigan City, Indiana, USA dunes overlooking the lake, and the zoo board began
building new exhibits using only "scrounged" and donat-
Land area 9 acres (3.6 ha)
ed materials. With the advent of the Federal Emergency
Coordinates 41°33′41.54″N 86°54′03.43″W / 41.5615389°N Relief Administration (FERA), that Civil Works Adminis-
86.9009528°W / 41.5615389; tration (CWA), and later the Works Progress Administra-
-86.9009528Coordinates: 41°33′41.54″N
tion (WPA), the zoo was completely redesigned. It is be-
86°54′03.43″W / 41.5615389°N 86.9009528°W
/ 41.5615389; -86.9009528 lieved to be the only zoo in Indiana completely designed
and landscaped by these agencies, with the WPA supply-
Number of ~220 ing labor as long as the zoo board could find the materi-
animals
als. Eleven buildings in the zoo are on the National Regis-
Number of ~90 ter of Historic Places.[2]
species Monkey island was completed in 1934. This was an
Website www.washingtonparkzoo.com island with surrounding moat, a high exterior wall, and
and access tunnel for the animals from their indoor en-
The Washington Park Zoo is a zoo located in Michigan Ci- closures. An observation tower east of the zoo that over-
ty, Indiana, which covers 15 acres (61,000 m2) on a hilly looks the lake, and the "castle" that houses small mam-
sand dune close to the southeastern tip of Lake Michigan. mals followed by 1937. The observation tower is topped
The zoo exhibits more than 220 animals of 90 species with an ornament that is reported to be the compression
originating throughout the world. Under the zoo’s new chamber from the city’s first fire engine.[2]
assessment and initiatives plan, the zoo is being mod- A new feline house was constructed in 1977 using ar-
ernized so animals are exhibited in natural settings, sur- tificial artwork to create more naturalistic surroundings
rounded by botanical plantings. Among the exhibits are for the animals. A new elephant house opened in 1978,
Grizzly Bears and Bengal Tigers. The Education Center and housed the zoo’s elephants until 1990, when a deci-
houses animal skulls, skins and educational animals. The sion was made to stop exhibiting them, and the building
Rotary Castle building exhibits cold-blooded creatures was converted into an education facility.[2] The three ele-
including lizards, snakes, and frogs. The Winged Wonders phants resident at that time were relocated to the North
has a walk through aviary. The Farm exhibits miniature Carolina Zoo, Have Trunk Will Travel, and the Riddles
domestic horses, donkeys, pigs, and goats which may be Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary.[3]
fed by guests. The zoo is on the Lake in Washington Park. In the first decade of the third millenium, the zoo
New for the 2007 season, the zoo open a new North opened a new main entrance (2004), opened a new gift
American river otter exhibit with two females and one shop and initiated repairs on the observation tower and
male otter.[1] the walk-through aviary (2005), opened the North Amer-
ican Carnivore exhibit with grizzly bears, mountain lion,
and river otters (2007), and opened the Australian Avian
History Adventure exhibit 2009) where visitors can feed para-
In 1925 a retired animal trainer moved his brown bear keets and cockatiels.[2]
"Jake" to the Washington Park lake front in the hopes
that the bear would get more visitors in the park and not
be so isolated. Some additional animals and birds were
Animals
brought to the park by the fire department, which at the The Zoo generally houses about 250 animals representing
time occasionally sheltered abandoned exotic animals, between 85 and 100 species. Several are Species Survival
and the city had the beginnings of a zoo. Planning for Plan (SSP) animals, members of designated endangered
a zoo board started in 1927, and the first board was ap- species groups.[2]
pointed by City Manager Albert R. Couden in 1928. Hopes
were that the zoo would provide recreation and educa- Landscaping
tion not only for residents of Michigan City, but also to
the thousands who spent their summers at nearby re- THe landscaping for the zoo and park was initially a ma-
sorts.[2] jor focus. The original building were supplied with water-
ing systems that could provide the water necessary for
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Washington Park Zoo
the sand dune environment of the zoo, and with plants [2] ^ "History". michigancityparks. Michigan City,
provided by city greenhouses, the landscaping was often Indiana. http://michigancityparks.com/
as much of an attraction as the animals.[2] index.php/general-information/zoo-history.
Starting in 1994, many of the existing flower beds Retrieved 19 July 2011.
were replanted or redesigned, while other areas of the [3] "Relocated elephants from Michigan City,
zoo have been replanted to attract native birds and in- Washington Park Zoological Garden in United
sects, or to provide dietary enrichment for the animals.[2] States". elephant.se. Elephant Encyclopedia.
http://www.elephant.se/
References location2.php?location_id=520&show=5. Retrieved
19 July 2011.
[1] "Washington Park Zoo:About Us".
http://emichigancity.com/cityhall/departments/
zoo/aboutus.htm. Retrieved 2007-05-19.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Washington_Park_Zoo&oldid=462800817"
Categories:
• Zoos in Indiana
• Michigan City, Indiana
• Visitor attractions in LaPorte County, Indiana
• Protected areas of LaPorte County, Indiana
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