20 May ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO DEDICATES NEW OTTER EXHIBIT AT ESSEX COUNTY TURTLE BACK ZOO
Published on May 20, 2021
West Orange, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. officially dedicated the new Otter Exhibit at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo on Thursday, May 20th. The exhibit was completely overhauled with modern infrastructure, improved viewing areas for the public and water features for the otters. The project is part of the County Executive’s ongoing initiative to continually enhance the care of the animals and the learning experiences of visitors.
“We are continually looking at ways to improve Turtle Back Zoo so it remains an educational resource and destination for families. We needed to update the Otter Exhibit because of its aging infrastructure and changing AZA requirements,” DiVincenzo said.
“This new exhibit is another opportunity to raise the notch a little higher at Turtle Back Zoo. On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, we look forward to partnering with the County Executive on future projects,” said Board of Commissioners Vice President Carlos Pomares, who was joined by Commissioners Patricia Sebold and Len Luciano.
“Otters love to play and swim, and opening this exhibit shows our visitors that learning about the environment and animals can be fun,” Turtle Back Zoo Director Jilian Fazio said.
“I remember when the County Executive partnered with Prudential to update the original Otter Exhibit and now here we are again making sure the exhibit continues to meet high standards. Because of the attention the County Executive has given to Turtle Back, we have become the number one zoo in New Jersey,” Zoological Society of New Jersey Executive Director Adam Kerins said.
The exhibit was completely redone within the existing footprint of the old exhibit. Glass walls were installed to improve viewing areas for the public, new landscaping was planted inside the exhibit and a new water filtration system was installed. The upgrades also were made to meet updated guidelines and standards set by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
French and Parrello engineers from Wall were awarded a professional services contract for $75,000 to design the new exhibit. AB Contracting from Wharton were awarded a publicly bid contract for $1,280,175 to perform the construction work. The Essex County Department of Public Works monitored the project to ensure delays were avoided. The exhibit was funded through the Essex County Capital Budget.
Turtle Back Zoo is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $17 for adults, $14 for senior citizens over 62 and children ages 2 to 12, and free for children under 2. To promote social distancing, tickets must be purchased in advance at https://turtlebackzoo.com/admission-hours/. For more information, visit www.essexcountynj.org/turtlebackzoo or call 973-731-5800.
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo has roared back to life from the verge of closure by a previous administration. Attendance reached an all-time high of 907,522 in 2017 and the zoo has operated as a self-sustaining facility with revenue collected exceeding operating expenses. In addition, Turtle Back is accredited by American Humane, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Zoological Association of American, a clear indication that an institution is committed to the highest standards in animal care, ethics, conservation and education. It also has been named the Best Zoo in New Jersey by NJ Monthly magazine four times and received a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor.com three times.
Revitalizing Essex County Turtle Back Zoo
Since taking office in 2003, DiVincenzo has spearheaded over $100 million in upgrades to Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, which have included updating the Turtle Back Junction Train Station to enhance public access; developing the African Adventure with four Masai giraffes, lions and hyenas, and South African Penguins; the Drill Family Flamingo Exhibit; Leopard Exhibit; a new Educational Building; the Carousel with 33 figures of endangered animals; the Sea Lion Sound Exhibit with sea lions, sharks and sting rays; the Big Cat Country Exhibit with jaguars and cougars; Tam-ring Gibbons Reserve with white cheeked gibbons apes, Reeves muntjac and white naped cranes; Australian Exhibit that features kangaroos, wallabies, emus and over 500 birds in the Aviary; Reptile and Education Center, open air dining pavilion and playground, Penguin Exhibit, Otter Exhibit, Wolf Exhibit, Alligator Exhibit, North American Animal Exhibit, Black Bear Exhibit, Animal Hospital, Essex Farm Petting Zoo and South American Animal Exhibit; renovating the Food Pavilion for year-round use and making upgrades to the entrance as well as fencing and infrastructure to meet AZA requirements. Funding has been provided through Green Acres grants, existing capital improvement bonds, or donations from the Zoological Society, Essex County Parks Foundation, corporations or private foundations. Corporations that have provided support include Investors Bank, Prudential Financial, Inc., Wells Fargo, PNC Bank, PSE&G, Verizon, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Coca Cola, Capital One Bank, TD Bank, Aramark, Covanta Energy, Matrix Development Group, the family of Ronald Mount and OxyMagic carpet cleaning.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 23 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, two miniature golf courses, five off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. Turtle Back Zoo is located in Essex County’s South Mountain Reservation and was opened to the public in 1963.