Children’s Activity Area Coming Soon!
In Spring 2025 a major renovation to the lower part of Lehigh Valley Zoo, where the barnyard animals reside, will begin. An expected Grand Opening is planned for Summer 2027. As the Zoo works to improve its facility, it is constantly looking for ways to not only enhance animal habitats and how our residents are cared for, but ways to engage guests and create memorable experiences that inspire action for wildlife.
The Children’s Activity Area combines state-of-the-art amenities with good old-fashioned fun. The goal is to increase opportunities for guests to get close to animals and see them in an entirely new way; provide new educational opportunities for schools; and highlight the Zoo’s conservation work advocating for and protecting species around the globe.
Once completed, we anticipate an increase in attendance by at least 30,000 guests annually. The increase will aid in updating older exhibits, creating new exhibits, and improving the guest experience.
The $10M project will be supported by philanthropy, public support, and Zoo funding. Make your gift today and be a part of this significant improvement to your local zoo!
To review our donor recognition levels or to support the campaign please click here:
Construction will be completed in phases, allowing Veterinary and Animal Care staff the opportunity to relocate and monitor our loveable barnyard residents. Please return to this site for updates throughout the project and to see which of our friends might temporarily be off exhibit.
>>>CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PROJECT UPDATES<<<
Phase 1: Accessible Playground and The Fred & Anne Jaindl Family Barnyard
One of the best ways for children to learn is through play. Situated between Preston’s Place (the existing nature play area) and the barnyard, the new Playground, with exciting new equipment, will have a focus on accessibility for children of all abilities to be active while their caretakers take a rest.
With support from the David & Jackie Jaindl Family and the Fred J. Jaindl Foundation, the Fred & Anne Jaindl Family Barnyard will be constructed in the existing barnyard area. Year round, guests will be able to walk through the barn and see the animal “bedrooms” as well as participate in brushing or feeding those animals that wish to participate.
Phase 2: Isaacman Family Education Center
The Zoo’s vision of being a leader in conservation education and action starts with its ability to impact our guests’ view of wildlife and how their habits affect the natural world. The new education building, generously supported by Jared & Monica Isaacman, will provide triple the capacity to host classes, groups, and encounters. This building will become the hub of our education programming while also providing a new home for some of our ambassador animals. The building will offer an additional set of restrooms, a nursing station and changing rooms for the much-anticipated splash pad.
Phases 3 & 4: Seating, Concessions, Retail & Splash Pad
With all the fun activity happening in this area, we will be improving our amenities by constructing a Marketplace for both food and retail concessions, as well as a semi-permanent covered seating area that guests of all ages and abilities can enjoy.
Once the Fred & Anne Jaindl Family Barnyard is complete, the goats will relocate to the barnyard to make room for the addition of a splash pad. The splash pad will encourage our guests to stay and play longer, to get both the education and additional fun out of their visit.
The Zoo is honored to express our thanks for lead gifts from the following supporters:
- Jared and Monica Isaacman
- The David & Jackie Jaindl Family and the Fred J. Jaindl Foundation
- Milosev Family Foundation
- The Davis & Smith Family Foundation
- Peoples Security Charitable Foundation
- The Tuskes Family
- Michael and Christine Perrucci
- PPL Foundation
- Keystone Savings Foundation
- Ciocca Subaru of Allentown – Hometown Charity for the 2024/2025/2026 Subaru Share the Love® Event
- North Star Construction Management, Inc
- Bohler Engineering
- The John and Margaret Post Foundation
- Wingstop Charities
- Casella
If you are interested in joining the leadership commitments to the CAA, please contact the Director of Development, Stefanie Timmins. stimmins@lvzoo.org | (610) 799-4171 x232
Thank you to the CAA Campaign Committee:
- Jeffrey Drobins, LVZ Board of Directors | CLO, Peoples Security Bank & Trust
- Borko Milosev, LVZ Board of Directors | President & CEO, Post Road Management
- Michael Perrucci, Committee Chair | President & CEO, Peron Development
- Michael Tuskes |President & CEO, Tuskes Homes
- Cindy Feinberg | President, Feinberg Real Estate Advisors
- Thomas Williams | President & CEO, City Line Construction
- John Callahan | Director, Peron Development
- Tom & Kara Skeans | Managing Directors, SVN Imperial Realty
- Katie Holland Schlegel | President & CEO, BenefitSynergy
- Joseph Correia | EVP, J.G. Petrucci Company
- Casey Keller | Associate Advisor, Feinberg Real Estate Advisors
- Brian Cook | LV Market President, Peoples Security Bank & Trust
- S. Graham Simmons | Member, Norris McLaughlin
- Tony DaRe | President & CEO, BSI Corporate Benefits
- Michael DaRe | President, Smarts USA
- Mike Axiotis | President & CEO, Lehigh Valley Restaurant Brands
- Jamie Connell | President, Connell Funeral Home Inc
- Andrew & Megan Miller | EVP, Northstar Construction
$500+ Donors
Updated 6/13/25
- Bohler Engineering
- Casella
- Ciocca Subaru of Allentown
- The Davis & Smith Family Foundation
- The Drobins Family
- Karen & Doug Figura
- Fred J. Jaindl Family Foundation
- Gary & Maureen Gilbert
- Susan & Jerry Harpel
- Nat Hyman
- Jared and Monica Isaacman
- David & Jackie Jaindl Family
- The John and Margaret Post Foundation
- Keystone Savings Foundation
- Milosev Family Foundation
- Rhonda Murra
- North Star Construction Management, Inc
- Peoples Security Charitable Foundation
- Michael and Christine Perrucci
- Power & Grace Gymnastics & Dance Inc.
- PPL Foundation
- Shafer Family Charitable Foundation
- Shikiar Family Foundation
- The Tuskes Family
- The Wender-Timmerman Charitable Fund
- Wingstop Charities
- Lily Rose Winters
OFFICIAL LV ZOO NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2025
LV ZOO BREAKS GROUND FOR the CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY AREA
Phase 1 of the $10 M Project in the Lower Section of the Zoo Expected to be Complete by Fall
(Schnecksville, Pa.) – Lehigh Valley Zoo hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday for Phase 1 of the Children’s Activity Area (CAA) in the lower section of the facility. This phase, expected to be completed in the fall, consists of the construction of an accessible playground and a state-of-the-art barn in the reconfigured Fred & Anne Jaindl Family Barnyard.
The entirety of $10 M project, managed by North Star Construction Management of Allentown, Pa., will be broken down into four phases with an expected completion date of late 2027. Plans were publicly announced in February 2025.
“After months of planning, the zoo and our partners are excited to kickoff of the construction of the first phase of what will be the largest project the Zoo has ever undertaken,” LV Zoo President & CEO Amanda Shurr said. “By adding an accessible playground and walkthrough barn and barnyard area, we will both enhance our guests experience at our zoo as well as improve the welfare of all of our barnyard friends.”
The new playground, designed by Recreation Resource USA, will feature modern, accessible equipment for children of all abilities. Additionally, the Burke Poured-In-Place Rubber Surfacing is optimal for the safety and accessibility of zoo guests. Tuskes Homes provided the excavation of the former playground and barnyard area as well as the site prep for Phase 1.
The new barn, to be built by King Construction through the support of the Fred J Jaindl Foundation and the David & Jackie Jaindl family, will be open year-round. The walkthrough design of the barn will allow guests to view the animals’ “bedrooms” while allowing them to participate in brushing or feeding barnyard residents that wish to participate. The layout of the barn and barnyard will also have a positive impact on the ability of LV Zoo’s animal care team to support these animals.
The project Is being supported by philanthropy, public support and zoo funding. Information about the CAA and how to become a contributor can be found at lvzoo.org/CAA. Currently, the zoo – a non-profit organization – has raised $3.2 M of its $10 M goal.
The CAA combines state-of-the-art amenities with good old-fashioned fun. The goal is to increase opportunities for guests to get close to animals and see them in an entirely new way; provide new educational opportunities for schools; and highlight the zoo’s conservation work advocating for – and protecting – species around the globe.
Phase Two involves the construction of the Isaacman Family Education Center. The new building, generously supported by Jared and Monica Isaacman, will triple the current capacity for the zoo’s education team to host classes, groups and animal encounters. The center will serve as a state-of-the-art home for many of the zoo’s ambassador animals while also providing an additional set of guest restrooms, a nursing station and changing rooms for the future splash pad.
Phases Three and Four include the addition of a splash pad and improvements to other amenities in this section of the zoo, such as a marketplace for food and retail concession and a semi-permanent covered seating area for guests of all ages and abilities. The splash pad will encourage guests to stay and play longer while offering relief during the warmer summer months.
Throughout the construction process, several animals will be temporarily relocated until the project is complete.
The CAA marks LV Zoo’s third major construction project in the past three years, as the zoo added Habitat Madagascar – a new exhibit that houses mongoose lemurs, red ruffed lemurs and tortoises – on May 26, 2023, and Rothrock Red Panda Peak on June 7, 2024.
Once the CAA is completed, LV Zoo anticipates an increase in attendance by at least 30,000 guests annually – which will aid in improving animal habitats and wellbeing, while also amplifying the guest experience. The zoo is coming off a record-setting annual attendance, having welcomed 183,414 guests during its 2023-24 fiscal year.
3/21/25
Phase 1 of the project required relocating barnyard animals and goats to new habitats. Animal Care Staff began by introducing them in their existing areas, ensuring successful interactions before moving them. Some animals moved into the goat habitat, while others went to two large, open pastures behind the horse habitat, where they can graze. Sheep Guacamole, who needs regular bandage changes, and her companion Tzatziki, who prefers a rougher surface for her hooves, were moved into the goat habitat. Additionally, three pygmy goats were relocated to the barnyard habitat before being transferred to the back pastures with the remaining barnyard friends. The staff ensured that all animals got along before making the final moves.
Guests will continue to be able to use their tokens to offer special treats to the goats and sheep in the goat habitat.
Animals staying/moving to the Goat area:
- Goats: Phoebe, Stormy, Jasper, and Onyx
- Sheep: Guac and Tzatziki
Animals temporarily moving to the pastures/off-exhibit:
- Sheep: Baba Ghanoush and Rosa
- Goats: Oliver, Odin, and Hobart
- Alpacas: Tupaca, Buzz, Lumie, and Havoc
- Pig: Helga
