By Thrash

February 28, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

Bad move. A zoo doesn’t belong in a residential area. Once Ft. McPherson closes, it’s 400+ acres would make a great place for a new zoo, with plenty of buffer area from the surrounding community. Atlanta could have a world class zoo to match it’s world leading aquarium.

By Native Atlantan

February 28, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

Definitely a bad move, throwing good money after bad seems to be a current trend, with this and with the absurd idea of renaming Marta stations.

By grantparkresident

February 28, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

Smart move. Grant Park would not be the same without the Zoo.

No one who lives in the city wants to drive all the way to Lakewood. Tourists and other visitors to Atlanta without cars would want to schlep all way down there. Keep the Atlanta attractions inside the city, not in suburbs.

By Hansel

February 28, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

What a disappointment. The zoo had the opportunity to expand and becaome a worldclass facility at the Lakewood Fair Grounds. I have a membership now, but I don’t plan on keeping it long. The zoo is so confined at Grant Park that the same old exhibits are not going to be very exiciting. Besides who wants to try to park there on the weekends.

By Steve

February 28, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

I think the Lakewood site would be a great site for a World’s Fair instead of the Zoo. The Fair could help improve south Atlanta. The Cyclorama could move to a new park built above the 75/85 connector at Peachtree and Ralph McGill. This would give the Zoo room to grow. A parking deck would help as long as it;s not designed as badly as the one at Piedmont Park. That one will certainly become an eye-sore.

By Jenny

February 28, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

“No one who lives in the city wants to drive all the way to Lakewood”? Please, it’s less than 10 miles away, and you can ride MARTA five short stops down from Five Points.

By RedandBlackAttack

February 28, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

There is not enough room at Grant Park for all those fine animals. The Zoo is better than it was, but the animals are still crammed in there.

The City of Atlanta would benefit by having a larger World Class Zoo giving the animals more room to roam with better access to public transit. Look at the success of the aquarium! Lakewood or Ft McPherson would be fantastic venues given their size.

Grant Park could then be renovated into an actual park setting for all to enjoy especially the rejuvenated residences in the area. They would not have to put up with the smell of elephant dung. Do the right thing for the animals!!!

By knockin around the zoo

February 28, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this

I am glad that they are keeping the zoo at Grant Park, but don’t think that spending $175m to “redesign” it smart. Just keep it like it is, but add more space for the animals. Spend some money getting the habitats in better shape and more natural, but the layout is fine the way it is. The zoo has been there since 1889. That area of town is a great place to live. Lakewood, on the other hand is not.

By Shell

February 28, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

Lakewood and Fort Mac are both in the midst of “residential areas”, too.

The only problem with the Grant Park site is lack of space. From the article it looks as though the City has finally agreed to give up the maintenance yard at the South end of the site, something the zoo has been trying to get done for years. The zoo tried to buy the area more than once and even offered a straight-up trade, the City’s maintenance yard for a larger piece of property complete with larger buildings a couple of blocks away, and were refused every time. If this finally goes through the zoo could use that Southern area for their maintenance department and open up the NE portion of behind-the-scenes that is currently used for maintenance and utility storage (where the zoo entrance from the Boulevard parking lots used to be and the granite steps still are) to public access or as exhibit expansion.

By IMJS

February 28, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

Once again politics trumps practicality in our lovely burgh. Grant Park is not an optimum site for the zoo, small and and ill-funded as it is. Without funding committments, there was no chance that any move would have resulted in positive growth and expansion. So the word was sent down to sit tight and we will find SOME money for you and by the way, pay no attention to the “neighborhood activists” in Lakewood they are just posturing for the cameras.

By Forward Thinker

February 28, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

Before the aquarium and Centennial Olympic Park were built everyone said that the Olympic Park area of town was a bad place to live. Now look at it. Condos are going up everywhere and the area is highly sought after. It took the vision of a few folks who were willing to take a chance and build something truly great in our city to make the area turn around. It seems obvious that the zoo board just doesn’t have that same kind of vision. If the zoo board really had vision, they wouldn’t hesitate to build at Lakewood. Eventually the zoo will be left behind and a bigger and better attraction in the city will replace it.

By Christine

February 28, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

Grant Park is a historic place and ZooAtlanta has been a part of making it what it is today. I am so happy to read today that ZooAtlanta is staying put. It is so easy for families to make a quick trip to the Zoo with their young children. In addition, with all that is being built in downtown, I think that moving the Zoo farther from there would hurt them. Grant Park is just a quick ride on Marta to all the other attractions in downtown Atlanta.

By FriDawg

February 28, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Too Bad! I guess my kids will never get to see Mei Lan. My wife is terrified to go to that part of town with little ones. I was excited about the possibility of a move.

By Expat

February 28, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

note to ‘grantparkresident’ Lakewood fairgrounds and the surrounding area are in the city limits. definitely not suburban as you contend.

By Elliott

February 28, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

Your wife is terrified? Does she send you out to buy her rock cocaine??

By TheOne

February 28, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

My wife is terrified to go to that part of town with little ones

WTF??? You’ve got to be kidding me? Well tell her to stay in the house, lock all the doors and windows, and never go out again. Even the super safe suburb you probably live in is not truly safe!!! People are a dang trip…..thinking they’re too good to go certain places.

By regina

February 28, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

THANK YOU!!

By lwa

February 28, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

@FriDawg,

Crime happens everywhere, not just downtown. If you wife is scared, why not you take the kids. Go during the middle of the week in broad daylight if that makes you feel better.

We get a lot of “false security” in our own communities. What are the crime statistics surrounding Grant Park and more specifically, those against Zoo visitors?

By mei lan

February 28, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

can’t they get some animals that don’t ever poop?

By regina

February 28, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

Thank you!! A wise decision for all concerned. Atlanta needs the Zoo just were it is. Handy for visitors and great for the Candler Park Area. Also, the animals would not like their habitat changed - animals have a harder time with change than humans. The move may have done them harm. Hats off to everyone to had something to do with KEEPING the Zoo in Atlanta proper!!

By Lee

February 28, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Another stupid bad decision for Atlanta. The Lakewood Fairgrounds would have offered so much more space and accomodations. So what if the zoo has been at Grant Park for a zillion years. Sometimes a change is good and it would have been good for the Grant Park Neighborhood, the zoo and its animals. Another dumb decision…way to go !!!

By 1234

February 28, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Apparently your wife has not been near Grant Park in 10 years. You really should go on a weekend morning. Have brunch at Dakota Blue and take a walk around the park. You will see lots of residents out and about, walking dogs, pushing strollers, enjoying a run, and working in their yards. It is a beautiful area, and I can’t imagine anyone being scared to go there.

By Grant Park resident

February 28, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

Agree with ByTheOne’s comments - I live in Grant Park, have 2 little kids, and walk to the Zoo all the time. For sure in Atlanta, there is a huge rift between the Urbanites and Suburbanites. IMO Grant Park is not dangerous - in fact my perception is the Burbs are…with reportings of home invansions, gangs, etc. - but it’s all media driven and probably the Burbs are not as bad as they seem. Either way, very happy to learn the Zoo is staying put.

By Phil of Playaz Ball

February 28, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

We should figure out a way to allow the zoo to expand, possibly where the Cyclorama currently stands.

Perhaps allow the animals to roam among the exhibits in the Cyclorama?

And following the Battle of Atlanta, General Sherman was molested by a Great Orangutan…

The new Zoo/Cyclorama would be much more entertaining.

By Brian

February 28, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

How disappointing . .

First Grant Park is beautiful, is safe, and could be turned into something like an outdoor ampitheatre, or other cultural venues and allow Zoo Atlanta a chance to truly expand into a world class venue.

Hmm . . when your done with the aquarium, just hop on MARTA for 4 stops and spend the rest of your afternoon at Zoo Atlanta . . the only way to get to Zoo Atlanta now is via car . .

Missed opportunity to really do something terrific . . small minded and short sighted . .

By Brian

February 28, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

actually theres a specific MARTA route from the Aquarium to the Zoo.

By carl

February 28, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

It is amazing how people in Atlanta bemoan when historical structures are torn down, then complain when the Zoo Board decides to keep the Zoo in Grant Park where it has been since 1889. Congratulations to the board for trying to maintain at least one piece of Atlanta’s history.

By carl

February 28, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

It is amazing how people in Atlanta bemoan when historical structures are torn down, then complain when the Zoo Board decides to keep the Zoo in Grant Park where it has been since 1889. Congratulations to the board for trying to maintain at least one piece of Atlanta’s history.

By GrantPark10

February 28, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

I have lived in Grant Park for 10 years, since College, and bought an amazing house in the neighborhood. Enormous character exudes from this neighborhood and I have grown to love it tremendously. It always bothers me to hear ingorant opinions of the neighborhood and its “crime.” It is a great neighborhood with an extremely strong family community. Although I do not have kids it would be a great place to raise them with hopefully a world class zoo in walking distance.

By ProudGrantParkResident

February 28, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

Hooray! I totally agree that the Board is maintaining a part of Atlanta History! Living in Grant Park, eating at its restaurants, enjoying the park with my dog, and being able to walk to the zoo makes life feel wonderfully old-fashioned. I have to stifle a laugh when I hear that people are afraid to come to the park….what are you scared that you might get run over by children on tricycles or families walking their dogs? Last time I checked crime happens EVERYWHERE….Grant Park is a wonderful place and the zoo belongs there with it…..

By GrantPark10

February 28, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

I have lived in Grant Park for 10 years, since College, and bought an amazing house in the neighborhood. Enormous character exudes from this neighborhood and I have grown to love it tremendously. It always bothers me to hear ingorant opinions of the neighborhood and its “crime.” It is a great neighborhood with an extremely strong family community. Although I do not have kids it would be a great place to raise them with hopefully a world class zoo in walking distance.

By Dirty Dawg

February 28, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

It truly is sad to witness - albeit not surprising - the ongoing prejudice and fear that permeates the ‘burbs’…and, sadly, from some of us that add ‘dawg’ to their ‘name’…’Terrified to go to that part of town?’ Guess that means you don’t go to Braves games…you probably would never ride on MARTA…you damn sure won’t be heading down to Harold’s for the best Brunswick Stew and cracklin’ cornbread in town…and even the thought of heading off down to the Georgia Dome or Phillips Arena strikes fear in the heart of those that simply don’t know any better. By the way, don’t ever take the University exit/short-cut to Lakewood - now that’s scary. Got some other news for you, and I’m just guessing here, some of those folks that you think you have to be so afraid of have a helofalot more to fear if they find themselves ‘riding while black’ out in your neighborhood.

Folks I’ve got a ‘bulletin’ for you, things are tough all over. Just go to the ‘Briefs’ in the online Metro section for a couple of days and you’ll see that bad things happen throughout metro Atlanta, so if your wife is terrified to go to Grant Park (my guess is that she’s never actually been there) she probably ought to just stay a home altogether - and be sure to keep the kids hemmed up as well - cause if you allow yourself to be dominated by misperceptions and fear, then you might as well just take another prozak and go back to bed. By the way, be careful when you do venture out, you never can tell when there might be a family of them ‘muslims’ lurking nearby.

By David

February 28, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

Good Choice!

I am glad the zoo is staying in Grant Park. As a local Grant Park resident, If the zoo had moved to lakewood I would have cancelled my membership because you would not have been able to go without getting robbed, offered drugs, or asked for money from local residents.

It made no sense to consider moving an Atlanta treasure to the urban blight that is Lakewood.

By Jen

February 28, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Grant Park is not the least bit scary! Someone apparently hasn’t visited since the 80s. I agree with Carl - I am glad they are keeping the zoo there for historical sake. We Atlantans really need to retain our historical roots as stongly as possible as the city continues to grow, and grow, and GROW. And who suggested moving the Cyclorama after it was so painstakingly restored?

By Michele

February 28, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Actually, I’m glad to see Atlanta thinking toward preservation. Atlanta’s mindset is always toward growth and being a leader, which is good, but we are rarely preservation minded. The near destruction of the Fox is another example where we are too quick to destroy history for progress.

By JAD

February 28, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

All of you folks from the far suburbs, PLEASE cool it with the, “My wife is afraid of Grant Park, it’s so dangerous” messages. I don’t think you realize how stupid you sound. We live in town and go to the zoo two or three times a month — it’s safe. Very safe. Just give it a try. As hard as this may be for you to believe, there is life outside of Woodstock and Acworth…

By RNM

February 28, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

The zoo shouldn’t be in residential areas? For those of you saying this, have you ever visited other cities? Zoos are always in the middle of urban, residential areas. The drive to place everything in the suburbs is the reason that everywhere you go people say that Atlanta is a nice enough city but has no soul - has no core - offers no reason to visit other than for a mandatory business conference. Check out the zoos in NYC or Chicago..even Hong Kong. They live in a very small space and the zoo there is right smack dab in the middle of it all and offers a wonderful respite.

By Debbie

February 28, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

To the scared family…Go on and see Mei Lan. She is too cute to miss. Just think how many folks go there everyday and are fine. I am planning to venture out on my own in the days ahead and think nothing of it.

To the one who asked “can’t they get animals that do not poop”…and what is your IQ again?

By TAH

February 28, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

What I find funny about “terrified of Grant Park” was that they felt the Lakewood neighborhood or Fort Mac would be a safer bet for taking the kidlets to the zoo. I’m not calling Lakewood/Fort Mac dangerous but Grant Park is certainly more picturesque.

By TwoBlocksAway

February 28, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

I can see both sides of the arguments to move or not to move, but am happy the zoo will remain.

We live a couple blocks from the zoo and can hear the elephants (no, we can’t smell them) from our yard. My daughter gets a big kick out of it and we are regular visitors due to the convenience.

Grant Park is not at all unsafe, bring the kids and the grill. Make a picnic of it!

Also good news that the city is going to come up off the land at the end of the park (if they really are). What an eyesore that is and a waste considering all the industrial land further south that could be used for this purpose. Keep the precinct, but loose the storage yards!

By ZooSupporter

February 28, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

FriDawg—You can’t be serious?! The zoo and the Grant Park area is very, very safe. Tell your paranoidal skiddish wife to calm down, get in her minivan w/ the kids and enjoy one of Atlanta’s most unique entertainment options for families. Expanding at Grant Park is a grand option.

By Magpie

February 28, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

I love that the zoo is staying put. Many cities have zoos in residential areas (Seattle, Detroit, etc.) and they are wonderful. I was excited about the Lakewood idea, but the land was deemed too expensive, etc. Besides, it’s hard to think of the zoo anywhere but Grant Park. They can reduce the parking lot size by building multi-story structures and open up space for animals. I think if thought through, the Zoo can and will be world-class!

By Magpie

February 28, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

I love that the zoo is staying put. Many cities have zoos in residential areas (Seattle, Detroit, etc.) and they are wonderful. I was excited about the Lakewood idea, but the land was deemed too expensive, etc. Besides, it’s hard to think of the zoo anywhere but Grant Park. They can reduce the parking lot size by building multi-story structures and open up space for animals. I think if thought through, the Zoo can and will be world-class!

By Tammy

February 28, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

Bad move for the poor animals. They need more area for the larger animals. They are too cramped. I hope they keep looking for a larger location the animals need it and so does the patrons. :(

By Grant Parker

February 28, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

Folks, let’s try not to make this a predictable “‘burbs vs. intown” debate. Some childish people write nasty things just to get others mad, and it nearly always works. Let’s try to keep on-point, OK? This is about the zoo, and its plans to accommodate animals and visitors.

By mlr

February 28, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

Bad for Atlanta. The new site would have been better suited. Grant Park has very limited growth opportunities for the Zoo. The new site would have been better for the city. Once again.. Where is Atlanta’s head at?

By Chris Creech

February 28, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

The current space was okay when it was basically a home for the abandoned circus animals and grew into a glorified petting zoo. Now that it’s taking it’s place as a world-class zoo and wants to continue to expand it’s mission to keep up with the city - Grant Park makes no sense at all. Especially with the trend in zoos going towards more and more larger/open/natural exhibits.

Plus, not only could the existing site help expand and improve the park, but it could also have a section redeveloped into a nice “village”, like a victorian Glenwood Park. Thus giving Grant Park what it lost with I-20 and has always missed - a real community village area with some community amenites, shopping, theater, etc.

By Boog

February 28, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

As much as I have always loved Grant Park and Zoo Atlanta (I visited there as a child, took my kids there, mourned the death of Willie B, and continue to be a Zoo Atlanta member), I regret the passing of a great opportunity to move to a much larger facility at Lakewood, another long-standing fixture of Atlanta history.

In Miami, the zoo was moved from a beautiful site on Key Biscayne (an idyllic island in the middle of Biscayne Bay) to a huge site in the deep southwest suburbs of Miami. It thrives as a magnificient facility and visitor magnet, served by public transportation. And need I mention the North Carolina Zoo, which is an hour’s drive from the interstate, but offers majestic panoramic habitats?

Look at the Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat at the National Zoo, home of their Giant Pandas, and the young heartthrob Tai Shan. They completed a major expansion last summer, and they can now fit the entire Atlanta panda facilities in one of their three outdoor habitat areas, and there are multi-level viewing areas. Pandas need room and trees. We could have given them these advantages at a larger site. The old maintenance areas just can’t compare. We must look beyond our selfish interests and respect our animal visitors, as well.

By Grant Park Guy

February 28, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

As a native Atlantan and Grant Park resident, I am glad the zoo is staying where it is. I also believe the parking lots and areas around there can be reconfigured to give the zoo the room it needs. I will support that as will many of my neighbors.

Everybody wins!

By GrantParkResident2

February 28, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

As a “suburbanite-raised” turned “urbanite-bound” resident, I’m pretty excited about the board’s decision to remain in the Grant Park area. As one posted alluded to, most major metropolitan areas have zoos in residential areas and primarily within city limits. Also, from my perspective, I love the area and find it safe (contrary to FriDawg’s post)- I find the area to be one of the most culturally diversed and well preserved (in terms of neighborhood character) areas in Atlanta. A lot has changed in that area over the past 10-15 years for the better…if the “wifey” is afraid, she should have been afraid back then.

By Buddy

February 28, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

The zoo needs to stay at Grant Park. A parking deck is needed. Also they need to be able to take over more of the park that is now used for drug deals. There is plenty of room on the other side of the park for picnic areas.

By matt

February 28, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

As a proud grant park resident, I must say that I am thrilled that the zoo is staying in my neighborhood. Zoos all over the country are located in residential areas and I have never once experienced any foul odors or other issues coming from the zoo’s location—other than rather obvious parking issues. Reconfiguring the parking on the boulevard side of the park to include a well designed parking deck on the naturally tiered land and incorporating the existing parking lot on cherokee into the zoo’s grounds would give the zoo much needed room to expand, make the parking easier to find and keep the traffic of the more residential streets in the neighborhood. I never understood why the zoo was even considering the move just when transit, in the form of the beltline and the new Marta A(quarium) to Z(oo) line are finally making it accesible by public transport.

By Marie

February 28, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

I think it is amusing that the discussion about the zoo’s future has turned into a burb vs intown debate. I live in the burbs AND I go to the zoo OFTEN and love it and I love the neighborhood. As for the decision to stay in Grant Park, there are pros and cons for both staying and moving. I think the board is making the best decision they can for where things are now financially. Moving the zoo will be more expensive and they just can’t be assured moving will bring in more visitors and revenue. I am glad they will be expanding the existing area so the animals can have more space and maybe they can figure out a way for more parking.

By Someone who actually thinks before they speak

February 28, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

The ZOO should have taken this opportunity and MOVED! This is ridiculous! There is an opportunity to make a bigger and better zoo for everyone in the COUNTRY and not just Atlanta!

I have been going to the zoo since I was a little kid. It was always fun to go, but every time I went there I always thought how nice it would be to have more exhibits with more space. Tradition is sometimes such crap! What good is tradition if it never improves for the better? At one time there was a “tradition” in the South to segregate. Well how would that have worked out if we did not change it for the better? Save your “I cannot believe your trying to compare zoo stuff to that” blah blah crap for someone else. Things need to change from time to time to IMPROVE.

It would be one thing to move the zoo and have it end up in a worse situation, but it would only help out a larger portion of the city than the Grant park area!!!!! That area is soooo overrated it is not even funny. By the way get ready for the Falcons to move to Gwinette by 2015 or so as well. I am sure you will be complaining then too. Go figure.

By Lakewood Byrd

February 28, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

I am thrilled that the Zoo is staying in Grant Park and helping to preserve a piece of Atlanta history. However, Lakewood Fairgrounds is also historic, for all of you who seem completely oblivious to Atlanta history. Someone posted that they would have experienced all sorts of terrible things coming to the Zoo at Lakewood. I am happy that ignorance keeps you from seeing this neighborhood for what it really is…that way the property value can stay low and we can keep living in the “country” five miles from downtown.

By Matt

February 28, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

I’ve only lived in the Grant Park area for a couple of years now, so I don’t have the attachment that other people may have to the zoo. I am worried though that this will turn into another Piedmont Park fight regarding building parking lots, etc. I’d hate to see the area turn into one parking lot, or worse, having a parking garage built.

Yes, the zoo has been there for so long that there’s a nostalgia, but on the other side of it, it’s simply outgrown its current location.

By zoomember

February 28, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

I go to the zoo regularly. There isn’t enough room to grow the zoo to anywhere near a world class facility. Getting the adjacent facility is just a stop gap. We should ‘bite the bullet’ and move now. It won’t be any easier or cheaper later. We’ve got a world class gorilla exhibit and snake exhibit, the rest leaves alot to be desired. Many smaller cities have better zoos. We’ll be 2nd class zoo wise as long as politics instead of common sense rule the decision. No doubt the Grant Park area would decline without the zoo and that is very unfortunate, but the zoo does not belong in such a small area that was originally built for the 10 X 10 cages of the ‘old days’. Wonder how successful a large facility in Alpharetta, Cobb, or Gwinnet would be vs a small facility at Grant Park (squawk - that is more than 5 feet from Grant Park so alot of people couldn’t drive that far - even though more people that actually would go to the zoo live nearby)?

By Elaine

February 28, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

Grant Parker—thank you.

It is completely insane how the ITP/OTP issue consistently heats up all over these boards. The thing that gets me about it really, is that city-dwelling people generally purport themselves to being more open-minded and progressive…and they’re the ones making blanket statements such as life outside Woodstock and Acworth and paranoidal skiddish wife to calm down, get in her minivan and the best one is this exhortation: if you allow yourself to be dominated by misperceptions and fear, then you might as well just take another prozak and go back to bed. By the way, be careful when you do venture out, you never can tell when there might be a family of them ‘muslims’ lurking nearby.

Geez, people. Who’s closed minded and prejudging?

Quite a substantial number of us who live OTP do not drive minivans/suv’s, recycle, visit the zoo, and don’t just know Muslims, are Muslim.

Please dismount your Oh-Aren’t-I-So-Progressive-For-Living-Intown high horse and show some decent respect for others.

By Jas

February 28, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

As usual, Atlanta blows an opportunity to improve something that will add beauty, revenue and entertainment to the city, not to mention the humanity to the animals there. No wonder Atlanta is near the bottom of the Quality of Life list recently released.

By Elaine

February 28, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

And another thing…

Nobody’s talking about the fact that the current zoo is constantly under construction and has big spaces with nothing in them at all.

It seems that at least the last 3 times I’ve been there, I’ve spent most of the day hiking up and down hills through a maze of asphalt sidewalks laid between orange construction fencing surrounding lots full of dirt covered in weeds…all the while hoping we can see an animal sometime soon…

And I understand why the zoo builds open habitats for the animals to roam more like they would in the wild, but why does a 1/2 acre habitat only have about 25 feet of space from which to view it. And mind you that those 25 linear feet that are crammed with about 100 people, are just 10 yards away from a huge hill, and all the animals we’ve come to see are on the other side of the hill…we can’t see them anyway…

I wish we could find a way to facilitate our actually being able to see the animals. That’s why we go to the zoo. My kids are still very small—preschoolers—which one would think would be the prime time to visit the zoo. But I’ve decided not to renew our membership until they’re a little older, because now we spend all our time saying “There, see it there? Over there? WAY over there?” And her saying “No, where? Where’s the giraffe? I don’t see a giraffe. Momma, where’s the giraffe?” Because all she can see is grass on a mound of dirt. If I lift her on my shoulders, she can see in the distance, but little kids aren’t always that good at locating things far away like that.

Also, in the smaller enclosures for smaller animals and birds, there is often nothing in there. You look and look and it’s empty.

Sorry to ramble, but I’ve been disappointed over and over at Zoo Atlanta, walking in the sweltering heat for hours and really only getting to get a good look at those flamingos that are right in the front.

By ATL2PHX

February 28, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

BAD MOVE! The zoo is constrained where it is in Grant Park….age and history of the current location excluded….the atlanta zoo feels like it’s in a tier II market such as Birmingham or Columbia.

By slick

February 28, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

the zoo and grant park are historic it is like a burial ground you do not move it. i use to live in atlanta and i went to grant park and the zoo with my girl friends. please do no move

By Skyler

February 28, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

Can’t see the animals? Are you visually impaired! Are you so selfish that you don’t want the giraffes to have a better enclosure (They were off exhibit, just a few weeks, while their area was re-seeded). Have you not seen the Gorilla groups! I have a membership, I go there every week. I have seen the gorillas and their babies out in the sunshine (and so close you could almost touch them) I have seen Mei Lan playing with her mom, Yang Yang eatting his bamboo. The animals are in better view than say San Diego… Just yesterday I saw the Kangaroo with a little Joey with his foot sticking out of the pouch… I saw the Elephants at the water’s edge, chomping on some carrots. I saw the Blue Cranes, and the Hornbills (Which one was carring a pine cone) came right up to the fence for me to admire!!! There was a keeper with am Owl outside the bird show, answering questions! I saw the leopard hanging in a tree, and two lions sitting on a rock! All this in just ONE AFTERNOON!! Yes the zoo is small, but what they have done for the animals is amazing. China would not entrust Zoo Atlanta with Giant Panda’s had if they thought our zoo was bad. You must be blind…for Zoo Atlanta is awesome!!! Have you seen the Orangs! and the Drills, and the lemurs playing in the treehouse. Jeeze Open your eyes…This was just one afternoon!

By slick

February 28, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

the zoo and grant park are historic it is like a burial ground you do not move it. i use to live in atlanta and i went to grant park and the zoo with my girl friends. please do no move

By CMoore

February 28, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

I am more interested in what the plans are for expanding the elephant habitat. I am heartsick after reading news articles about elephants dying of foot rot because of standing on concrete in cramped enclosures. Clara, a Beautiful Asian ele at the St. Louis Zoo is dying now, Toni was euthanized at the National Zoo and the list goes on and one. Dottie, Kellie and Tara are magnificent African elephants and they deserve room to roam with natural substrate. I drive by Grant park with its hills and dales and envision these 3 eles having the time of their lives roaming about the entire park and even then that is still not enough space for them. Whatever the new zoo design is, please provide more space for the elephants. If that is not done, then in 10 years, we will be mourning the loss of yet another captive zoo elephant from foot rot.

By Lesia

February 28, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this

NEWSFLASH!

Lakewood is no worse than any other part of this city. Animals needs space to roam. Why are yall so selfish and only thinking of how far you would have to travel. Lakewood is inner-city. It is not a surburb. PowderSprings,Jonesboro,East Point,St. Mtn are considered surburbs. Lakewood is only 10 min from Downtown. How is that far? Everything in Atlanta is wide spread anyway. People get a grip. HELLO!! If your wife is scared maybe she should consider moving to MAYBERRY, IL…Okay

GET A GRIP

By Lesia

February 28, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

NEWSFLASH!

Lakewood is no worse than any other part of this city. Animals needs space to roam. Why are yall so selfish and only thinking of how far you would have to travel. Lakewood is inner-city. It is not a surburb. PowderSprings,Jonesboro,East Point,St. Mtn are considered surburbs. Lakewood is only 10 min from Downtown. How is that far? Everything in Atlanta is wide spread anyway. People get a grip. HELLO!! If your wife is scared maybe she should consider moving to MAYBERRY, IL…Okay

GET A GRIP

By ATL Native

February 28, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

Zoo Atlanta has blown a great chance to contribute to making Atlanta a world class city with world class attractions. Lakewood Fair Grounds offered the zoo the best opportunity to grow into a first class facility. By the time my two year old turns three, he is going to realize that the current zoo is small and worn out.

I hope the same Grant Park residents who fought to keep the zoo are also prepared to support the mammoth parking deck that is sure to come. The zoo was projecting a need for about 2,000 parking spaces. It is going to take a big ole deck to accomodate all those SUVs. Lakewood already has more than enough parking for the zoo.

The board needs to reconsider its decision.

By city dweller

February 28, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

Hey Jas,

This city and the metro area is at the bottom of the quality of life list because it’s typical answer to every problem is “tear it down and build it bigger.” Intowners respect level for OTPers is inversely proportional to the average size of the cookie-cutter s-holes you slap up in your freshly clear-cut lots. I guess I shouldn’t say ‘you’, since it is the illegal immigrants you want kicked out who slap them up.

By Elaine

February 28, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

Thank you, city dweller, for proving my point beautifully…and adding profanity, even.

By BoredwithBraves

February 28, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

Zoo should move to an area where it can grow and thrive in the next 20 year time period…and that is not Grant Park.

Lakewood or Ft. McPherson (both easily accessible via MARTA) is preferable. I seldom go to the zoo, as it is depressing and many areas seem rundown and seedy. Another bad decision for Atlanta.

By Neighborhood Resident

February 28, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

Great news. It would be very sad to see the zoo leave it’s long time home, especially with the wonderful historical landscaping design that surrounds the Grant Park area. Let’s hope all Zoo improvements preserve the historical neighborhood atmosphere and allow more pedestrian friendly traffic flow. We would like to see more public transportation for those who want to get around and less of the “cut-through” traffic on their way to the interstate.

By BoredwithBraves

February 28, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

I realize that if you are a Grant Park resident, it is convenient for you to go to the zoo, but if you really look in your heart, do you truly feel it is best for the ANIMALS?

By Skyler

February 28, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

To C.Moore, Where did you get your vet degree. Dottie, Tara and Kelly are the most well taken care of elephants I have known. Foot rot… Where in name did you come up with that one.. I am not saying that they couldn’t use more space, but for what they lack in space they get in other ways. I have seen keepers excercising them, providing enrichment for them. Those animals are so loved by the ones that care for them… They have healthy feet.

By grantparkresident

February 28, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

Lesia, Lakewood is inner city??? I guess it’s all relative, but I don’t consider Lakewood part of the city. I consider areas like Inman, Candler, Grant Park, Cabbagetown, Midtown and Va Highlands inner city. Lakewood is about as close to inner city as Perimeter mall.
I’m not simply thinking of myself when I say Lakewood is too far too drive — I’m also thinking of tourists and tourism revenue for those people that visit Atlanta and don’t have access to a car. Grant Park and the Zoo are within a stone’s throw to other tourist sites, like the Cyclorama and Sweet Auburn district, as well as the MLK, Jr. Memorial. It’s stupid to isolate the Zoo in an area that has no other tourist attractions other than the ghastly Hi-Fi Buys ampitheater or whatever its called now.

For those suburbanites that are afraid of Grant Park, keep thinking it’s unsafe. Maybe then you won’t bring your minivans and your rugrats down to our part of town. You can stay up in the confines of your “safe” and sterile strip mall hell that is suburban Atlanta and eat at Applebees every night.

By Intown Girl

February 28, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

To “By Someone who actually thinks before they speak”…wow, you are angry, aren’t you? You don’t have to be so angry because you can’t afford a house in Grant Park…and I would bet 100% of the residents there wouldn’t trade places with you for the world…

By Grant Park or Bust

February 28, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

Quit griping.

Sure, I have to politely decline “Smiley” (the man on the corner) for his plea for a dollar about once a day, but I feel totally safe in Grant Park. My wife takes walks all the time by herself, and I don’t think twice about it.

I plan to raise my children here, where they may actually learn culture and history.

Heck, I may even get “Smiley” to babysit once in a while. You should help bring back these historic areas.

We’re always looking for good people in Grant Park…FriDawg, you’re not invited.

By Grant Parker

February 28, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

GrantParkResident, chill. We in Grant Park pride ourselves in how well we keep our park and neighborhood. Let’s keep our cool, too, OK? And, like a whooooole lot of Grant Park people, I have “rugrats.” A lot of us have minivans, too. Speak more nicely of your neighbors, inside and outside the perimeter.

By Alphabetta

February 28, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

I totally agreed this was a WORLD-CLASS mistake. Atlanta has a history of leaning on, well history and personal feelings. Sometimes you have to change things to truly preserve history. Case in point, the zoo! It’s choking and this is why it’s in the shape that it is.This is truly an opportunity to make a world-class facility for a world-class zoo! Let us look to just 20 years past to the loss of accreditation for the zoo because of similar mistakes in management versus personal feelings. And if you don’t take my word read up on Zoo Atlanta’s history on their website! And the only inconvenience this would prove is clearly to GRANTPARKRESIDENT”s.” If I can make the trek from alpharetta surely you can drive 10-15 mins and lakewood is still in the CITY not the suburbs.

By Loyal Charles

February 28, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

Keeping the Zoo in Grant Park will be great for the city, residents and tourists as well as the animals. Let’s not forget them!!

By Grant Park in the Houses

February 28, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

Atlanta is famous for having a disposable attitude toward our history. I am thrilled that Zoo Atlanta is being preserved and improved. You aren’t getting a more welcoming, quaint area to bring the family & visitors. As for the people afraid of the area: How embarrassing for you.

By what

February 28, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

the only problem what grant park is that its not the easiest place to get to driving for tourist since there is no marta station.

By Dallas

February 28, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this

San Diego Zoo has a wonderful zoo and a large Wild Animal Park several miles away. Why not spend $175 million on a bigger, better second park for the large animals.

By Betty

February 28, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this

I am so glad they have decided this. I lived in Atlanta for 38 years and Grant Park was always THE PLACE for the Zoo. I probably would have never visited the zoo if it had been in the Lakewood fairgrounds. In all those years, I NEVER

By David

March 1, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

Perceptions can ruin a good day. A couple of years back a friend and I went to Grant Park to meet with some friends for a picnic. We parked on Boulevard, and just as my friend spotted some friends across the park and abruptly exited the car, a white woman was walking by and was startled because she thought that his abrupt move was an attempt to assault her. The thought of Fox 5 News announcing, “Woman Attacked in Grant Park”, flashed through my mind. My friend and I are black males. All afternoon I was thinking that that woman went home and told her family that two black men tried to assault her. I wish there was some way to locate the woman and explain what was happening. Misperceptions can ruin things.

By David

March 1, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

Perceptions can ruin a good day. A couple of years back a friend and I went to Grant Park to meet with some friends for a picnic. We parked on Boulevard, and just as my friend spotted some friends across the park and abruptly exited the car, a white woman was walking by and was startled with a petrified look on her face because she thought that his abrupt move was an attempt to assault her. The thought of Fox 5 News announcing, “Woman Attacked in Grant Park”, flashed through my mind. My friend and I are black males. All afternoon I was thinking that that woman went home and told her family that two black men tried to assault her. I wish there was some way to locate the woman and explain what was happening. Misperceptions can ruin things.

By Analyze This

March 4, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

Did you see it on Fox 5 News? Were you accused of assault? Put the race card away and quit being so paranoid.

By Forget It

March 4, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

If the Zoo was moved moved to Lakewood, do you think that will change how people are perceived? Lakewood is worse than Grant Park any day. Why move it? It’s been there for years, everyone around here knows where it is and it doesn’t make any good sense to change it. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”