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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Gio Santana, Superintendent of Parks & Recreation
Dan Powell, Zoo Manager
DATE: 5/6/2021
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing the acceptance of a $50,000.00 grant from the DeMoon Family and authorization for expenditures to construct an education area to be installed on the grounds of Phillips Park Zoo.
PURPOSE:
Acceptance of a $50,000.00 grant from the DeMoon family and authorization for expenditures not to exceed $50,000.00 for the purposes of building an education area inside the Phillips Park Zoo.
BACKGROUND:
The DeMoon family has been a long-time supporter of the Phillips Park Zoo, having provided donations that were utilized to improve animal visibility and animal care capabilities in several areas, including the Otter viewing glass installation, several new reptile enclosures and the installation of various shift-doors for the wolves and cat enclosures via the Kara foundation. In 2019-2020 leadership of the Kara Foundation changed resulting in a modification of their philanthropic ideals, and a 10-fold increase in their donation size.
The Zoo lacks a centrally localized area that can be used for education chats, staff presentations, and ?as a gathering point for zoo tours or other zoo programming. Acceptance of this grant would allow construction of an education area that will be constructed just inside the zoo's entrance, see exhibits 1 and 2 for the location and rendering. Construction at this site will also allow the education area to double as the "elk observation area" when not in use for education purposes. This would also replace the need to rebuild the elk observation deck, which has been closed due to the need for repairs.
DISCUSSION:
Construction of the education area will not only serve as a multi-purpose functioning area for zoo programming and other zoo events, it will also eliminate an area that is a current eyesore as well as make great use of approximately 3,000 sq. ft. that is currently unused...
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