by Kirby Lindsay, posted 27 January 2015
Along its northern edge, Fremont has one of our region’s treasures – the Woodland Park Zoo (WPZ). During the summer, folk flock to our Zoo for the exploration, for the animals and for a fun way to pass a sunny day!
Yet, in the winter, the animals are still at the Zoo – and you should be too!
‘Always Changing’
“The Zoo is always changing,” observed Jessica Patterson, WPZ Associate Director of Guest Services. All winter long they see, “a lot of people – members – who like to watch the babies grow.” It’s true. This month three new lion cubs have been introduced to the outdoors, and the public, for their first outings. In March, they will appearing with more regularity.
Yet, Patterson acknowledged the, possible, number one reason to visit the Zoo in drippy December, unpredictable January and/or frosty February – “to avoid the crowds!” During the high season (May – September) the Zoo got 746,000 visitors in 2014, and between October 2013 – April 2014, only 530,000 people came by.
Some visitors, Patterson agreed, come in November/December when WPZ has on display its Wildlights show, where they replicate exhibits and animals in colorful, and rather impressive, lights. “A good portion of the Zoo is closed,” she explained, about this evening event, “with the animals put away for the night.” Still, 85,000 people attended Wildlights in 2014.
Now, with the light excitement over, it could be easy to forget about the Zoo – and the animals that still come out and play, even when the weather isn’t what we might prefer.
Rainy Day? No Problem.
The Zoo, founded in 1899, has had history during which to develop ways to deal with Seattle weather. For this, they offer a ‘Rainy Day Discount’ on select days. They also have maps and suggestions posted around the Zoo for the ‘Rainy Day Building Hop’, offering ways visitors can enter other worlds – while staying dry.
Among the indoor sites at the Zoo are the Penguins, the Day Exhibit, Australasia, Willawong Station, Lions & Warthogs, the African Village and Bug World. The Historic Carousel, open weekdays from 10a – 2p and weekends from 9:30a – 4p, offers another refuge from the rain, and a delightfully nostalgic way to pass time.
For the under 8 crowd, Zoomazium offers a whole world of its own for exploration. Kristi Dodds, Early Childhood Program Coordinator for the Zoo, described Zoomazium as “the hub” for many visitors, “because so many have kids.” Inside, decorators have simulated nature with a fabricated Strangler Fig and mountain climbing/sliding structure. Tables and play stations are always set-up, and free with entry to the Zoo. “All the time,” Dodds observed, “we have some kind of materials for you to engage and explore.”
“We encourage the parents to play with their kids,” Dodds said, “but some want to sit back and watch.” It depends on how much walking the groups have done before, and after, their visit to Zoomazium. Also, the education center offers programs throughout the day including Creature Feature (with puppets, stories and exposure to a visiting animal – or boa constrictor,) Shake, Rattle & Roar (a music program,) and Nature Exchange (where kids can earn points towards prizes by sharing items and experiences with staff from their walks through the Zoo grounds.)
Transcending Barriers
Woodland Park Zoo does attract visitors from all over the region, and all over the world. During winter and spring school/work breaks in other countries, Patterson notices an up-tick in Zoo visitor numbers. The Zoo transcends many of the language barriers of other tourist sites, and everyone can enjoy seeing the animals – often in habitats resembling their native places.
Still, the Zoo mission principally focuses on conservation leadership and inspiring people to learn, care and act in saving animals and their habitats – and visitors can learn a lot about all these efforts by reading the many signs and materials posted around the 100 acre grounds. A registered 501(c)3, the Zoo employs a staff of 275 employees, 100 – 150 temporary staff and approximately 750 volunteers every year who help carry out this dedication to conservation.
Woodland Park Zoo has plenty for all ages to see and do, and for us in Fremont, it is a very short walk, bike ride or bus trip up the hill. According to Patterson, the major problem she hears guests remark on about their visits is that, “they didn’t plan for enough time,” she noted, “It is an incredibly large zoo.”
Take a trip to the Zoo this winter, and see all the animals, information and nature carefully preserved and presented – and, if the weather turns too brisk, grab a bite in the Rain Forest Food Pavilion.
The Zoo is open 364 days a year from 9:30a – 4p (in winter) with rainy day discounts available, and (for a brief time) discounts for Seahawks fans. Visit the Zoo website for more information, but make sure you stop by and see the animals at Fremont’s Woodland Park Zoo.
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©2015 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.