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Newsroom Lehigh Valley Zoo Feb. 19, 2025 |
LEHIGH VALLEY ZOO ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY AREA
(Schnecksville, Pa.) — Lehigh Valley Zoo has officially announced plans for major renovations to the lower section of the facility. The project, named the Children’s Activity Area (CAA), will be completed in four phases with the construction beginning in Spring 2025 and the expected finish in Summer 2027. Highlights of the CAA include an accessible playground, a new barn in the reconfigured Fred & Anne Jaindl Family Barnyard, the Isaacman Family Education Center and a splash pad.
“This project important to our mission, as additional classroom space will allow for a larger portion of the community to partake in our educational programming and learn about animals and conservation,” LV Zoo President & CEO Amanda Shurr said. “It’s important for our guests, as the CAA will provide options for a longer visit with more educational and recreational opportunities; and it is important to our staff, as it will provide improved living areas and amenities for our animals.” Once completed, the zoo anticipates an increase in attendance by at least 30,000 guests annually. The increase will aid in improving animal habitats and their 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.
“As we started to talk about the current capacity constraints of the zoo, it became very clear that we needed to prioritize a new education center with this project,” Chairman of the LV Zoo Board Jeffrey Drobins said. “The current indoor space was built more than 50 years ago and has very minimal capacity. The new Isaacman Family Education Center will have three times the capacity and I couldn’t be more excited to work with Jared and Monica to make this piece of our project a reality.” Phases Three and Four include the addition of the 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. # # # As a member-supported non-profit organization, Lehigh Valley Zoological Society was founded in 2004, but it has been treasured community landmark for centuries. Located in the Lehigh Valley’s Trexler Nature Preserve, the mission of the Lehigh Valley Zoo is to connect its community with nature to empower people to protect wildlife. We have achieved our mission and educated more than five million people. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Lehigh Valley Zoo hosts year-round, family-friendly events and activities, educational programs, and camps. To learn more about Lehigh Valley Zoo, we invite you to visit our website, www.lvzoo.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. — SmartFun—
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LV ZOO TRAFFIC ALERT: GAME PRESERVE RD CLOSED STARTING MONDAY, August 25th
Starting Monday, August 25th Game Preserve Rd will be closed due to a PPL utility upgrade project. This closure will last for about 3 weeks. This impacts access from Rt. 309 only. Guests arriving via Rt. 100 are not affected.
DETOUR FOR RT. 309 TRAVELERS:
Trucks/Buses (Both Directions): Use Mill Creek Rd (1.8 mi before/after Game Preserve Rd), continue 2.1 mi, turn left on Game Preserve Rd, then right into the Zoo.
Cars Only (8’2” limit): Use Orchard Rd → Old Packhouse Rd → Ruheton Hill Rd → Game Preserve Rd, then enter Zoo. Please follow the posted detour signs.
VIA RT. 100:
Northbound: Kernsville Rd → Horseshoe Rd → Weidasville Rd → Game Preserve Rd
Southbound: Kistler Rd → Game Preserve Rd