Amy here –
I was talking with our friend Beth this morning about our mission, and of course the inevitable came up: That darn lack of family-friendly facilities at the zoo. Yes, Sara and I have discussed this same issue during one of our meetings. We tackled the issue of what we should be presenting to the zoo directors when/if we meet with them. Ultimately we decided to focus on our main goal – a nursing room or space (or multiple spaces – parish the thought!).
HOWEVER, this brings up a great presentation platform for the Oregon Zoo to leap from. Creating a “Family-friendly Makeover” would provide the zoo with numerous opportunities to enable the public to enjoy their experience there on so many levels. In turn, the zoo benefits and the visitors are happy.
What sort of things could they possibly include in this kind of package you wonder? Well, we simply came up with the basics: More stepstools in the bathrooms (and clean them occasionally please!) for the munchkins to reach the sinks; lower sinks, soap dispensers and paper towel dispensers for the kids; kid-sized toilets; family restrooms; healthy snack options throughout the zoo; and above all, a Nursing room – for the love of Pete and all that is sacred!
Through my correspondence with the zoo, I have been informed that they “plan to include family restrooms in the future, when feasible.” My question, and maybe yours is, are there not two major construction projects going on at the zoo RIGHT NOW? (the primate exhibit makeover and the entire new Predators of the Serengeti exhibit) How is it not feasible at this time? Need we mention that the voters just recently approved a 65 million dollar bond for the zoo for maintenance, rehabilitation of some existing exhibits, and to help with their eco-friendly projects? Hmmmm. . . .
We want to know what you think . . . post your comments for the world to see – and thank you!
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1 comment:
I agree!! We just returned home from visiting family in Chicago and let me tell you the management at our zoo should take a lesson in what it means to be family-friendly from the Shedd Aquarium. Their restrooms also do not have lower sinks for the kids but they have installed these cool step stools for kids called stepnwash. Every parent in the restrooms was commenting on what a great idea these step stools were and how nice it was not to have to lift up our children to wash their hands. I asked the visitor service lady how long they have had the step stools for and she said at least 2 years!!
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