Advocates Say Not 1 More Acre For Turtle Back Zoo: Opinion – West Orange, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Putting animals on stage isn’t “education.” It’s old-fashioned, P.T. Barnum, circus-like theater, a group of activists say.

Recently, the Coalition to Save the South Mountain Reservation offered a scathing evaluation about development at the Turtle Back Zoo in Essex County. Activists said they have issues about funding sources at the county-run zoo, as well as an overall environment they said focuses more on “entertainment” than education.

The editorial was authored in response to a September op-ed from County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. that supported development at the zoo. (Read his full statement below)

‘SYSTEMATIC ENCROACHMENT AT SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION’

Here’s what the Coalition to Save the South Mountain Reservation had to say about DiVincenzo’s op-ed.

“The county executive took a stance that a new amphitheater is needed inside the South Mountain Reservation for educational purposes. When did Joe D. become the chancellor for education of Essex County? The county executive’s responsibility is for parks, recreation and cultural affairs.

“The county executive asserts that the amphitheater will help satisfy requirements of the three nationally recognized organizations that accredit the zoo. It is clear that they think the zoo is too focused on entertainment with its brew parties, wine tastings, holiday light show, the relentless touching of sting-rays and pony rides. But a 500-seat amphitheater is doubling down on entertainment, not education. Putting animals on stage is not education, it is old-fashioned, P.T. Barnum circus-like theater.

“If the county executive wanted to prioritize education it is more in line with his job to encourage nature studies of the importance of trees to the environment, the impact of the shifting climate, the protection of our water supplies from human-released toxic chemicals, and the great need to protect our few and shrinking open spaces.

“Among our open spaces, our greatest assets are the three county reservations created for respite from the urban areas of Essex County, including the South Mountain Reservation. This reservation was established in 1895 for passive recreation: walks, hikes, and picnicking. The South Mountain Reservation boasts trails, estuaries, ponds, waterfalls and picnic areas with benches and grills.

“Instead of preserving South Mountain Reservation’s tranquility, the county executive has disturbed it. His systematic encroachment on the South Mountain reservation has included more parking on Northfield Avenue and the building of the so-called Educational Center building, Treetop Adventures, McCloone’s Restaurant, the African Wildlife Safari, miniature golf, and more. Our reservations are publicly owned natural resources, which are being used for economic purposes to serve the county executive.

“Speaking of economics, how the Turtle Back Zoo gets funded should be examined. The county executive claims it’s from ‘grants.’ Those grants are taxpayer dollars from the state of New Jersey and Essex County. He requested, without public input, that the state of New Jersey provide the Turtle Back Zoo with $4 million dollars for the amphitheater. They gave it to him in June of 2019.

“Joe DiVincenzo has failed to make his plans public, using covert actions to implement his expansion efforts. Residents only discovered the proposed 500-seat amphitheater when they saw it on the news.

“Publicly owned natural resources must have a public hearing and designated public comment period to solicit input from resident stakeholders. [DiVincenzo] has consistently failed to do this. Just as disconcerting is Joe D’s failure to undertake environmental impact studies, particularly since the developments — including zoo exhibits and a 550-car parking deck — have been constructed in the immediate vicinity of the Orange Reservoir water supply. He did not care to consider risks to that water supply. Nor did the county consider the traffic impact on West Orange with visitors now around 900,000 per year responding to the relentless promotion of the attractions.

“[DiVincenzo] might claim that the amphitheater attraction would only entail sacrificing one more acre of trees, but if you look at photos, you will see the degradation from excessive prior tree-cutting. The county executive’s determination to continue to develop our reservation is not in the community’s interests. Essex County’s South Mountain Reservation is a reservation, a jewel that is under attack by the very individual responsible to protect it. Not one more acre should be ceded to the Turtle Back Zoo.”

JOE DIVINCENZO: ‘TURTLE BACK NEEDS A NEW AMPHITHEATER’

Here’s the editorial that DiVincenzo offered in September 2019 regarding the Turtle Back Zoo.

“It has been almost 25 years since a large crowd of children, parents and teachers gathered in the parking lot at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo to save this treasure from being closed. Today, Turtle Back is a thriving, dynamic destination where our 900,000 visitors annually see endangered species and learn about conservation and the importance of animals.

“When I was serving as Freeholder President, the Blue Ribbon panel I commissioned to study the zoo recognized its potential as an educational and recreational facility and recommended it be kept open. Since I became Essex County Executive in 2003, one of my initiatives has been to transform Turtle Back into a first-class facility. During the last 17 years, we have modernized the infrastructure, created new natural habitat themed animal exhibits and introduced amenities to enhance our visitors’ experience.

“Our latest project is to create a new amphitheater for educational programs. Our current amphitheater is not conducive to this type of activity and does not have space where animals can be kept before the presentations begin. Therefore, we rely on the four classrooms in our Education Building to present these enrichment programs, which is hardly adequate space to meet our daily needs.

“On an average day, we welcome about 2,200 children from various schools and recreation programs but only have space to provide just 150 students with the opportunity to participate in an enrichment program. In the past, groups that came to the zoo passively learned about the importance of each animal by strolling along the paths, watching the animals and reading the signs. Now there is greater demand for an interactive experience. The planned 500-seat addition will provide the opportunity to significantly increase the audience we currently reach with our educational programming and help satisfy requirements of the three nationally recognized organizations that accredit the zoo.

“Like many of our projects, the amphitheater is being partially funded with a grant, this one a special appropriation from the State. Relying on grants, NJ Green Acres funding, corporate and philanthropic contributions, Zoological Society of NJ support and individuals’ donations have enabled us to invest over $75 million of improvements at Turtle Back Zoo without placing a large burden on our taxpayers. In fact, the zoo is unique in that it has been a self-sufficient facility for the last decade, meaning the revenue collected from admissions covers operating costs. This fiscal success contributed to Essex earning its first-ever Aaa bond rating, the highest rating available and the gold standard for financial stability and strength.

“There have been concerns about the impact the amphitheater will have on the environment. Since 2003, as the zoo has expanded from 30 to 40 acres, we have followed the stringent guidelines set by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection and the NJ Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act to address runoff and erosion. The retention basins and modern drainage systems we have installed when making improvements help reduce run off and address long-standing flooding issues that existed in South Mountain Reservation long before Turtle Back opened 56 years ago.

“In addition, we are estimating that about one acre of land from South Mountain Reservation will be needed for the amphitheater, which is just a small piece when considering the reservation encompasses over 2,200 acres. I am a great proponent of open space preservation: We have increased the number of open spaces in the Essex County Parks System from 17 to 23, planted 20,000 new trees throughout Essex County and preserved over 500 acres in our densely populated county, including adding 55 acres to South Mountain. I believe enhancing our educational component is a reasonable use for the land.

“The amphitheater isn’t designed to attract more visitors, just enhance services to those we currently welcome. In addition, a 500-car deck (our third parking facility) opening in December will provide more on-site parking and reduce the number of vehicles parking on Cherry Lane. As I promised, an updated Turtle Back Zoo Master Plan will be completed by year’s end.

“We have created something special in which all residents of Essex County should take great pride. Along with Turtle Back Zoo, we created the South Mountain Recreation Complex where residents enjoy the walking path around the Orange Reservoir, picnic pavilion, paddle boating and playground. I want Turtle Back Zoo to continue to thrive and, along with the Complex, be an attraction that promotes economic development, invigorates the local economy and encourages Essex residents to spend their money where they live.

“Just like 25 years ago, let’s rally in support of Turtle Back Zoo so people of all ages can continue to experience the wonders of the wild, gain an appreciation for animals and become the next generation of environmental stewards.”

RECENT ZOO NEWS

Catch up on some of our recent zoo news below (click headlines to read article).

Fight Continues Over Expansion At Turtle Back Zoo In NJ

The battle over the future of the Turtle Back Zoo continues to play out in Essex County.

Amphitheater At Turtle Back Zoo: ‘Education’ Or ‘Overspending?’

“This would help enhance our educational mission,” the county executive said. “This is overspending on the zoo,” a critic countered.

West Orange Council Presses For Details On Zoo Development

West Orange town officials want Essex County to provide them with a master plan and traffic/environmental studies for the Turtle Back Zoo.

Caldwell Councilman To County: Focus On Tax Relief, Not Zoo

It’s time for the county to pump the brakes on spending at an already-superb zoo, a Caldwell councilman says.

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