A Visit To The Queens Zoo
Read more articles on Travel and Parks and Zoos.July 25, 2008
Posted by neillevine
July 25, 2008
Posted by neillevine
336 Views
The most direct route to the Queens Zoo, once you get off the train, is to make a right turn around the USTA Tennis Center and then through an overpass to the Grand Central Parkway and, voila, you hear a lot of birds, you can see the aviary and the wrought iron bars that separate the zoo from the rest of Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
I did not do this right away. One reason was I thought my memory of the location of the zoo was better than it was and I also had some interest in doing some walking in the park.
One item I encountered besides the Unisphere was a statue of George Washington. Having walked through Central Park more frequently than any other recreational facility, I can say the statuary there are more varied, interesting and impressive than any other park I have ever visited.
Once across the overpass to the Grand Central Parkway, I also came upon a good sized sign that said, “Zoo,” so that also made me comfortable I was near my destination. It would make it easier to find attractions in Flushing Meadows Park if there were more and bigger signs indicating where things were, after all it is a rather big park.
Before arriving at the entrance, I passed The Terrace Care, a dining facility left over from the World’s Fair. Unfortunately, it was obviously closed, although I would have considered dining there under more welcoming circumstances.
The entrance fee to the zoo was six dollars, less than the thirteen the Aquarium charges. Upon payment, I was given a receipt that would let me into both halves of the zoo and also a map which pretty clearly outlines the locations of the major attractions. My goal was to check out the Aviary, so I made a left turn on the earth path that led past all the featured animals. The first exhibit was the waterfowl marsh where there were interesting birds, including a mother duck protecting two large grey eggs. A large telescope that was awkward to handle provided a close up although the coin operated feeders in this section did not work. Then came lynx, puma and owls, leaving me in front of the Aviary.
The double doors are easy to open and brought back memories of my last visit to the Queens Zoo, well over twenty years ago, before the naturalistic renovation that replaced wrought iron bars and cement cages with the current day naturalistic habitats. As advertised, there were lots of butterflies filling the air.
My memories were of birds flying overhead and overgrowth. I walked around on the ramp that led in and out and took in what can be called birds of North America I think the set up gave me the feeling of walking through a nature preserve.
My next major stop was the dining area, across from the noisy sea lion, to rest and check out the dining. There were plenty of tables and chairs and vending machines. A cold soda was two dollars and it was possible to microwave sandwiches and the like. The microwave was free and hard to decipher. I find digital readouts easier to use compared to a analog dial.
The bison exhibit was impressive with my best moments coming at the home of the spectacled brown bear. Some zoo workers had walked over and started talking to one of the bears about a herring being put out for his lunch. By golly, by gum, if the big fellow didn’t walk over and pick up a fish in his mouth and begin chewing. Nice. I guess to the zoo keepers the animals are like pets.
Finally, the domestic animals across the way. I had lost the yellow stub that was my entry ticket. But it didn’t matter. There was no one around to check. Signs about washing your hands indicate that petting is allowed, although I did not avail myself.
If the zoo wants to raise the interest level and possibly raise more funds, I thin adding an animal ride like a donkey or oxen drawn carts might help as would more telescopes and possibly an audio guided tour. The art museums do this. Why not a zoo?
I had intended to take a look at Willets Point after my visit, but the old entrance past Shea Stadium was blocked and I didn’t want to walk all the way around so I went directly home instead. I wonder if the redevelopment will include the waterfront and community access and outreach to what is available at Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
I think my next urban adventure could include the Central Park Zoo.
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