NORTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Nearly six decades after Simon and Garfunkel released their hit single, “At the Zoo,” the message holds true:
“Someone told me it’s all happening at the zoo/I do believe it/I do believe it’s true.”
Yes, it’s all happening at the zoo — Lehigh Valley Zoo.
It’s true. Believe it.
The zoo has announced a $10 million major renovation and construction project.
The two-year, four-phase project is the zoo’s third in three years. It will take place in the lower part of the zoo where barnyard animals reside.
“We have a group in place now that wants to be active in having the zoo take the next step.”Matt Provence, chief operating officer, Lehigh Valley Zoo
Funding for the project will come from philanthropy, public support and zoo revenues.
The zoo said it has raised about $2.3 million of its $10 million goal.
To be named the Children’s Activity Area, the project will include a new accessible playground, splash pad, new barn and education center.
Grand opening is slated for Summer 2027.
“I credit our board for this project,” Zoo Chief Operating Officer Matt Provence said. “We have a group in place now that wants to be active in having the zoo take the next step.”
Personal to board chairman
Zoo Director of Development Stefanie Timmins credited board of directors Chairman Jeffrey Drobins for initiating the project at the 51-year-old zoo, which has limited indoor capacity.
“He has young children,” Timmins said of Drobins. “He wanted to make an impression on them about the importance of the zoo.”
Phase 1 of the project will be the accessible playground and the Fred & Anne Jaindl Family Barnyard.
Visitors will be able to enjoy new equipment and see the animal bedrooms, as well as participate in brushing or feeding animals.
Phase 1 is expected to be completed in this spring.
Phase 2 will be the construction of the Isaacman Family Education Center. The project will triple the current capacity for the zoo’s education team to hold 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.
'Important to our mission'
Phases 3 and 4 include the splash pad, as well as improvements to concessions there and a covered seating area.
“This project is important to our mission,” Zoo Chief Executive Officer Amanda Shurr said.
“Additional classroom space will allow for a larger portion of the community to partake in our educational programming and learn about animals and conservation.
“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.”Zoo Chief Executive Officer Amanda Shurr
“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.”
The improvements are expected to attract tens of thousands more visitors to the zoo, officials said.
“We’ve had studies done as to what our expectations should be with this investment,” Provence said.
“We had 183,000-plus visitors last year. We expect the improvements will attract 30,000 more visitors a year.
“More attendance will give us the ability to do more things here.”
