Minnesota Zoo Media Contact

If you need additional information or wish to request an interview with any Minnesota Zoo staff member, please contact:

Kelly Lessard
Public Relations
Minnesota Zoo
13000 Zoo Boulevard
Apple Valley, MN 55124
952.431.9217 direct
952.431.9300 fax
kelly.lessard@state.mn.us

 

 

Press Releases

Get Ready to Go on a Woodland Adventure at the Minnesota Zoo!
Interactive, nature-based play area opens July 11, 2009

Apple Valley, MINN – July 9, 2009: – Crawl through a bear den, climb up a ranger tower, swing in a giant oriole nest and rock a fishing boat – all at the Minnesota Zoo’s new “Woodland Adventure,” a nature based play area opening July 11.

Sporting a Minnesota theme and 4,800 square feet of nature elements, Woodland Adventure encourages children to reconnect with the great outdoors by discovering animals and natural objects as well as climbing on suspension bridges, nets, tunnels, and slides. The funding for Woodland Adventure was entirely acquired by private and corporate sources, including a $500,000 grant from General Mills. The $1 million project is located on the new Central Plaza, next to the Splash Pad and Russia’s Grizzly Coast exhibit.

Woodland Adventure Features:

• Various sized turtle shells to climb in, around, and over the top
• A giant eagle's nest, complete with over-sized eagle eggs
• A ranger tower with a six-foot slide
• A bear den to crawl through and explore
• Fish spring riders as well as a fishing boat on springs that kids can climb in, rock, and bounce (the fish spring riders are custom made representing common Minnesota fish like walleye, largemouth bass, and sunfish)
• A replica of Minnesota’s Split Rock Lighthouse featuring stairs, several slides, and a nine-foot high wooden walkway leading to a rope bridge and tree house
• A large tree house that is ADA accessible but also features rope bridges and a giant oriole nest swing—big enough for two!
• A giant mosquito sculpture to climb and explore (but no bites)
• A large rope spider web

The Minnesota Zoo and General Mills have also teamed up to promote healthy kids by introducing “Zoo Champions!” Beginning with the opening of Woodland Adventure on July 11 and continuing on the first Saturday of each month over the next year, kids visiting the Zoo will receive an activity book with nutrition and fitness tips and a pedometer (limited supplies), courtesy of General Mills. It's a fun new way to experience the Zoo.

The Minnesota Zoo is located in Apple Valley, just minutes south of Mall of America. For more information, call 952.431.9500 or visit mnzoo.org. The Minnesota Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and an institutional member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).