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Zoo extends hours as warm weather brings big crowds

April 3, 2012

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Arts & Entertainment, etc., Attractions, Indianapolis Zoo, Tourism & Hospitality, Tourist Attractions

The Indianapolis Zoo is staying open a little longer because of bigger-than-usual crowds.

Zoo officials say the zoo will be open an extra hour, until 5 p.m., through this week to accommodate the visitors coming out during the early spring warmth as many area school districts are on spring break.

Zoo spokesman Jon Glesing told WRTV that Monday's attendance of about 9,000 people far exceeded its normal crowd size for early April, calling it an amazing day for the zoo. He urges visitor to have patience when trying to enter the parking lot of the zoo on the western edge of downtown Indianapolis.

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Re: Observation

BenApril 3, 2012 12:57 PM
I like the Indy Zoo. For a small city like Indianapolis and the level of funding it receives (supposedly the largest American zoo operated without any tax-supported funding), it is very well done IMO.

I don't care about the touch tank but the kids seem to love it - it always seems busy when I have visited. It sounds like you just were there on an off day.

I'm pretty sure the low light is for the good of the snakes in the desert biome - I happen to like the different cages they have setup with different shaped / colored bottles and ground material which matches each snake.

The reason for all the construction is that the zoo is making big enhancements including an exciting new Orangutan center. see http://indianapoliszoofuture.com/SitePages/Projects/Projects.aspx

I don't know about the roller coaster ride having never gone on it. Maybe it does need refreshing?

As far as the cost per person for a one day visit (9.50 - less than a movie ticket), this is actually lower than many comparable zoos in the country. A family pass at $125 makes the per-visit cost very affordable if you visit often.

St Louis is an exception and is free because it receives property tax funding - see
http://www.stlmag.com/St-Louis-Magazine/April-2009/Theres-No-Such-Thing-As-a-Free-Zoo

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Observation...

MarshallApril 3, 2012 10:35 AM
Recently visited the Indy Zoo for the first time in many years and have to say I was a bit disappointed. It just seems like general upkeep of the exhibits has fallen off considerably over the years. I miss the old waters building which, in my opinion, was much better (even without the shark "touch tank" - in quotations because when I visited most of the sharks remained in the center of the tank, well out of reach of visitors). The deserts biome was a shadow of its former self, as well. Lighting for the snake tanks in that building was horrible, making it difficult to even see what was inside. It also seemed that half the zoo was under construction, a bit of a dissapointment considering the cost to visit (including 6 bucks for parking). I visited the St. Louis zoo for the first time the following weekend and was AMAZED at the product they were able to offer considering there is NO COST for admission. I have always loved the Indy Zoo, but just feel like the place needs an overhaul to return it to the jewel it once was. Many, many exhibits needed a fresh coat of paint, as well (including that entire roller coaster ride which looked like it was about 50 years old).

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