Friday, March 29, 2024

St Louis Zoo Holds Open House on Expansion Plans

Artists rendering of proposed St Louis Zoo expansion

St. Louis, MO, USA (December 12, 2012) — The St. Louis Post-Dispatch discusses last night’s open house  by the St. Louis Zoo about expansion plans on the former Forest Park Hospital:

“This fall, the St. Louis Zoo Association closed on its $6 million purchase of 14 acres just south of Highway 40, site of the old Deaconess Hospital.
“Tuesday night, St. Louis residents said what they wanted built there.
“One suggested a boutique hotel. One touted a trolley, to ferry guests into the zoo. One proposed a pedestrian bridge across Highway 40 (Interstate 64). Another suggested “a new home for the Rams.”
“But most held smaller ideas, reflecting hopes for their streets and neighborhood: A farmer’s market. A corner store. An ice cream shop. A local-food restaurant. Bike rentals. And, in several cases, a dog park.
“At the three-hour open house, the zoo’s hired planning and design team presented a half-dozen placards with dozens of ideas for the land — just ideas, they noted carefully — ranging from exhibits and attractions to traffic and research parks.
“They showed pictures of a grass-roofed greenhouse in California, a gigantic Ferris wheel in London, a hot air balloon that rises over the Philadelphia zoo, glass-walled aquariums, and the bulbous gardens of Marina Bay, Singapore.
“’Who knows if it will come to fruition?’ said Jim Wolterman, co-owner of the planning firm, SWT Design. ‘But the idea is to stimulate the imagination. Projects like these all started with visionary ideas.’
“The SWT photo montages suggested zip lines, suspension bridges, giant wooden playgrounds, vegetable gardens, trains, trams and hotels.
“;I think our attitude for tonight is, let’s not dream small. Let’s dream big,’ said SWT principal Ted Spaid. ‘I have seen things happen in this town I never thought would happen.’”
Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.

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