Rally Will Protest $8M Amphitheater At Turtle Back Zoo – West Orange, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A student-led rally to “Save South Mountain Reservation” will take place in front of the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo on Sunday, March 1.

According to a statement from the Coalition to Save South Mountain Reservation, the family-friendly rally is scheduled for noon at the zoo, which is located at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. (Learn more about this local event)

Organizers said the rally is being held to protest the county’s plans to build an $8 million amphitheater at the zoo. However, they added that the event “is not an anti-zoo” rally.

“Student speakers will address the conservation issues such as protecting the reservation, humane treatment of animals, flooding, congestion and noise, as well as climate change implications,” organizers said.

The 500-seat outdoor classroom with stage lighting would be partly funded by a $4 million special appropriation from Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration, with the remainder coming from the county’s operating budget.

The idea of spending millions of dollars to build an amphitheater at the county-run zoo has met with stiff opposition from some local residents and officials. Some have criticized the price tag, while others have blasted the plan to cut down an acre of trees in South Mountain Reservation to build it.

County officials have maintained the amphitheater expansion is needed to educate children. Only about 120 children at a time can see animal presentations at the zoo’s current amphitheater. The zoo currently sees nearly a million visitors per year.

County officials said they plan to replant any removed trees at a ratio of 4-to-1, double their original proposal.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Don’t forget to visit the Patch West Orange Facebook page. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.