$3.7M Expansion At Turtle Back Zoo Moves Forward, Despite Critics – Patch.com

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A $3.7 million expansion at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo is moving forward, despite the objections of some critics.

Earlier this week, officials unveiled plans to modernize the Red Panda and Clouded Leopard areas at the zoo’s Asia-themed exhibit.

According to county officials, the new exhibit will feature larger and updated spaces for the Red Panda and Clouded Leopards, in addition to two small exhibits for Hornbills and a native reptile species. The animal area will feature a waterfall, pool, fresh water drinking area that is separate from the pool, climbing structures and a grassy area. There will also be an expanded indoor holding areas for the animals.

Officials released the following details about the project, which will be dedicated to Lou LaSalle, the longtime chair of the Essex County Parks Foundation and senior vice president emeritus with RWJBarnabas Health:

“French and Parrello from Wall, N.J., received a professional services contract for $248,000 to design the exhibit. APS Contractors from Paterson were awarded a publicly bid contract for $3,735,725 to perform the construction work. The Essex County Department of Public Works will monitor the contract to ensure delays are avoided. The exhibit is being funded with grants from the NJ Green Acres program and the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund, and through the Essex County Capital Budget. It is scheduled to open in the summer of 2022.”

Officials continued:

“Turtle Back Zoo opened the original red panda exhibit in 2013 and participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan. Red Pandas are native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China and are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. The clouded leopard is a wild cat inhabiting dense forests from the foothills of the Himalayas through mainland Southeast Asia into South China. It is listed as being vulnerable by the IUCN. Hornbills are a family of bird found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia.”

The site is located in the R-1 Zone and abuts nearby South Mountain Reservation, which is located in portions of Maplewood, Millburn and West Orange, and borders South Orange. To the east of the site in West Orange is a residential neighborhood. There are commercial uses located on the north side of Northfield Avenue, with residential uses further north and to the west.

As required under state law, Essex County gave a “courtesy review” of the proposal to the West Orange Planning Board during a public meeting in August. Project details and renderings, including aerial views of the affected area, can be seen online here.

There have been split opinions about the proposal.

Earlier this year, critics of the expansion called it a “half-baked, pricey, taxpayer-paid plan.” According to the Coalition to Save South Mountain Reservation, there were concerns about what it would mean for the zoo’s boundaries and footprint, as well and a lack of “fixed data.”

Other proposed development at the county-run zoo has seen stiff opposition in the past few years.

But several officials – including zoo staff – said the latest expansion is a win for both the animals and the community.

“We want to make sure that Turtle Back Zoo provides the most supportive environment for our animals and the best learning experience for our visitors,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“Updating the Amazing Asia Exhibit will help us meet updated guidelines from Association of Zoos and Aquariums, enhance animal care and provide better viewing areas for the public,” DiVincenzo added.

Sen. Teresa Ruiz, who represents Newark and Belleville, said the zoo is an “outdoor learning lab for children and adults to learn about conservation.”

“What’s happening at the zoo is about education,” Ruiz said.

“This renovation will highlight the biodiversity of the environment but also the diversity of cultures in Asia,” said Jillian Fazio, Director of Essex County Turtle Back Zoo. “All of the animals in the exhibit are endangered. The new design will help us educate guests all year round and will set an example for zoos that handle these animals.”

Adam Kerins, executive director of the Zoological Society of New Jersey, agreed.

“Once again we are celebrating something new at Turtle Back Zoo that stresses the importance of conservation and animal welfare,” Kerins said.

Several members of the Essex County Commissioner Board also praised the coming expansion, including Patricia Sebold, Brendan Gill and Len Luciano.

Since 2003, there have been more than $100 million in upgrades done at the Turtle Back Zoo. Projects have included:

Otters – A $1.2 million overhaul of the otter exhibit at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo was completed in May. It was “completely overhauled” within the existing footprint of the old exhibit. Glass walls were installed to improve viewing areas for the public, new landscaping was planted inside the exhibit, and a new water filtration system was installed for the otters. (Learn more here)

Flamingos – A $3.2 million flamingo exhibit made its debut in 2018. 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 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)

Other recent projects have included updating the Turtle Back Junction Train Station, renovating the Food Pavilion and entrance, and installing fencing and other infrastructure.

Attendance at the county-run zoo reached 907,522 in 2017, and according to officials, the zoo has operated as a self-sustaining facility, with “revenue collected exceeding operating expenses.”

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