!!!It's WILD!!!
Written: Oct 18 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Natural habitats
Cons: would like to see more animals
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| KellyJeannie's Full Review: Binder Park Zoo |
As a kid, I remember taking a lot of day trips to the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, Michigan. At the time, there was only the children's petting zoo with a lot of goats. I remember being able to go inside their pen and feed them. And how we would laugh as they would jump all over us and try to eat our shirts. That was the time when we would choose the zoo primarily as a place to play and have a picnic. There wasn't much to see, only the goats and maybe a couple of lamas. Since then they have expanded so much that the zoo I remember is barely recognizable.
Let me tell you how to get there. Take I94 to exit 100, go south on Beadle Lake Rd, until you get to the zoo. Very easy to find but if you have problems, here is the number 616-979-1351.
The admission is $7.95 for adults, $6.95 for seniors and $5.95 for kids ages 3-12 and under 3 is free. Opened weekdays 9-5 Sat & Holidays 9-6 and Sundays 10-6. (these are the summer hours). They are closed for most of the winter, (hey this is Michigan)except for some educational programs.
Now I'm the Mom making memories for my kids at the zoo.
We always bring our picnic basket because there are more pavilions, and plenty of room for a picnic and for kids to play. But we usually have to save that for last because the kids are too eager to see the zoo.
As soon as you enter the zoo the first thing you will notice is there is a real nature feel to it. One thing Ive never liked about a lot of zoo's is how they feel so cold and heartless towards just caging animals and making spectacles out of them. Binder Park has very comfortable and natural habitats for the animals, they seem to be happy. And with the help of the community they are constantly working to improve and expand these habitats.
This is a good time to sneak in a peaceful walk on the nature trail before going to see the animals, or you'll probably never get back to it.
One of the favorite animals is the Red Panda, it looks like a red raccoon. And I hear there was a baby born this summer, but I haven't had the chance to see it yet. There is also a bald eagle, ravens, buffalo (that's what they look like, but I think they have another name) wolf, deer, prairie dogs, cheetahs, monkeys, large snakes and much more. I hope they get some bears and elephants someday, that's what I'd like to see.
If you forgot your picnic basket, don't worry you can stop at Beulah's Restaurant for a snack. There are a couple of peacocks wandering around the area that are really pretty.
Then you can go to the Children's Zoo, this is the part that I mentioned was the only thing that was there when I was a kid. The goats, lamas and camels are still there. The kids can still go in the goats pen to feed them and get nibbled on by those little critters. This is usually a favorite for parents to get pictures of their kids. I usually have a terrible time trying to get my kids out of there because they are having so much fun..............until off in the distance, they hear a whistle blow. MOM!!!! LETS GO RIDE THE TRAIN!!!!!!! Onward.........
While the kids are pretending to be real train passengers, Mom is enjoying the sights of all the beautiful plant life they have at the zoo. We wave at the pedestrians, go through a tunnel and head back. But we just have to stop and see the two huge tortoises on the way out of the train station. While on the train, the kids noticed a large play area and a huge statue of brontosaurs, so we just have to go check that out next.
Yes, we're getting tired, but that's not all. We haven't even been to *Wild Africa* yet. So we hop on a zebra print shuttle, and go to Michigan's, 50 acre version of Africa. We get to take a walk through the African village stopping at the Kalahari Kitchen for a drink or snack, and Zawadi Trader for a souvenir.
The highlight of the zoo is the 17 acre exhibit where the largest herd of giraffes roam in the nation. Roaming among them are zebras, ostrich, and gazelles. Enjoy another nature trail, then board the shuttle back home.
This is a great time of year to visit because until Oct, 31st, it's *Merry not Scary* at the zooboo. Kids wear their costumes and walk along the boardwalks trick or treating at frequent Halloween decorated stops. (M-F 5-8:30, Sat & Sun 3-8:30, $3.25 per person)
What makes Binder Park Zoo impressive for me is the educational opportunities it offers to the kids. Including an overnight Safari, programs to teach about conservation and ecology, zoology and zookeeping. Day camps for the preschoolers where they get hands on training with the smaller animals, learning about nature.
So, by the time you've seen the entire zoo everyone is sure to be getting pretty tired, so we stop at the Safari Gift shop and grab one more souvenir before we head out. It's a day well worth the trip for the whole family.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
KellyJeannie
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Member: Kelly
Location: Michigan
Reviews written: 30
Trusted by: 41 members
About Me:
I'm the lady who lives in a shoe...
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