The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is embarking upon a project that could wind up making it the largest zoo in North America.

 

If zoo director emeritus Jack Hanna gets his way, people will soon be able to spend the night at the Columbus Zoo. Not with the animals of course, but in a hotel built on zoo grounds.  That’s just one of the improvements planned for the zoo over the next ten years.  As he explained the changes, Hanna marveled at what the Columbus Zoo is about to become. 

 

He recalled the size of the park back in 1978 when he began there and compared it to today and what the plans for the future hold.  The zoo has begun a $180 million, 10-year project that will expand the grounds from 90 acres today to nearly 600 acres by 2015.

 

Read more at http://www.10tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4606119&nav=LUESMuat

I'll still take Toledo or Cincinnati's zoo over that one way out in the rural area of Columbus...

 

LOL, I take it you haven't been to the Columbus Zoo lately? It's surrounded by one of the wealthier suburbs in the metro area, Powell. The reason the zoo has all this room to expand is because Jungle Jack and the zoo board thought ahead and bought all the land surrounding the park's boundaries before they were built up. Immediately to the north, south, east, and west are million dollar McMansions.

 

And don't sell the zoo short just becuase it isn't in a more urban environment. The park's animals are among the most well-known in the world, especially the primate collection, where Colo was born, the first gorilla to be born in captivity. Having Jack Hanna as the zoos director for several decades helped it gain national attention too, with his many appearances on the Tonight Show and the Late Show.

 

The planned expansion of the zoo is definitely exciting. I'm especially looking forward to the Arctic Frontier exhibit. Polar bears are awesome!

Or might you be thinking of The Wilds? That's a preserve owned and operated by the Columbus Zoo way out in Cumberland, Ohio. The preserve serves as a grounds for giraffe, various species of deer, and rhinos to name a few, to exist in a natural setting where their habits can be better observed for future conservation, a hallmark of the Columbus Zoo.

 

http://www.thewilds.com

http://www.columbuszoo.com

it struck me odd that you talk about conservation and also mcmansions built over beautiful rolling farmland at the same time. yikes.

 

its a very nice zoo, but imo behind toledo's, cinci's and cleveland's for enjoyment (yes ive been to all of them). i much prefer oldschool urban zoos to new. however, unlike cdawg i happen to think bigger is better in this case and am confident that the planned expansion when carried out will really make the columbus zoo special. what a fantastic opportunity that older more hemmed in zoos could never have.

 

No state has as many major, high-quality zoos as OHIO!!!!

 

...and at the end of the day, that is all that matters.  As a newly transplanted Ohioan, I am proud of any new development, accomplishment, etc. that the state lands--regardless of location.  I don't understand all of this "my city is better than your city" mantra when we all live, breathe, and sleep in Ohio. 

 

On this board, I notice that Columbus gets picked on and beat up on a lot (verbally).  Even though I currently live in Columbus, my heart fills with joy whenever I read about an accomplishment in other Ohio cities.  On the flipside of that same coin, I get saddened by any news of job losses, crime, etc. that happens in Ohio. 

 

Ohio is a beautiful state and there is so much to love, so much to do, so much to hope for here.  If Columbus will one day soon be able to claim the "largest zoo in North America," then so be it.  That will merely raise the profile of Ohio's capital city, thus having a positive impact on the state overall.  Perhaps people across America will become fascinated with the "largest zoo in North America" and bring revenue into the state that will benefit us all via tourism. 

 

Over at Urbanplanet.org, I was reading the riverfront plan for Cleveland.  I was simply amazed and began to hope and pray that the redevelopment of the riverfront comes to fruition.  I want to see every major city in Ohio make it because that will only benefit us all as Ohioans.  Most states have only one (perhaps two) major cities. Think about New York. Outside of NYC, does anyone really care?  If not for Atlanta, where would Georgia rank?  Right now, I can't name another Louisiana city besides NO and Baton Rouge.  California is synonymous with LA while Seattle is synonymous with Washington state.  What about the "Great State of Chicago" (and then you have the rest of the State of Illinois--LOL)?  I pointed that out just to say that Ohio has eight recognizable metro-areas (even some recognizable smaller cities and towns).  That says a lot about the Great State of Ohio.  I can only speak for myself and say that I am very proud to live in Ohio--regardless of the location.   

it struck me odd that you talk about conservation and also mcmansions built over beautiful rolling farmland at the same time. yikes

 

Oooookay...well considering I meant ANIMAL conservation and not farmland conservation, I think we're reading a weee bit too much into things, yes? And "beautiful rolling farmland"? The zoo is next to a dam! LOL!

 

The thing with Columbus is that it may have more acreage, but that doesn't mean it will have more animals than smaller, more dense zoos.

 

The last time I checked, a zoo's caliber was usually measured in the VARIETY of animals housed, not the quantity, which the Columbus zoo excels at. In addition, the larger acerage used is an attempt to recreate the animals' natural habitat as completely as possible, which of course is much more easily done when the land is available. The zoo's efforts to increase acerage is far from a "stunt" but more a way to continue what has been the zoo's first and foremost goal, which is animal conservation and observation. A densly laid out zoo, if anything, would be a hinderment to possible expansion and habitat recreation.

Quote

it struck me odd that you talk about conservation and also mcmansions built over beautiful rolling farmland at the same time. yikes

 

Oooookay...well considering I meant ANIMAL conservation and not farmland conservation, I think we're reading a weee bit too much into things, yes? And "beautiful rolling farmland"? The zoo is next to a dam! LOL!

 

um guy i think its you who are misreading too much into things, i wrote "mcmansions built over beautiful rolling farmland" not about the zoo. as you noted, that area has been and still is seeing a lot of new sprawl growth.

 

and yes i know you were talking about animal conservation. it was ironic & that was my point. that is, you mention that and wealthy new mcmansions, obviously forgetting all about land conservation. i dk maybe you like mcmansion-burbia but i dont. ohio is not growing in pop but it sure is in sprawl.

 

 

What's so bad about a suburban zoo?  Its a lot easier for them to expand in the suburbs.  I wouldn't want 600 acres of an urban core taken up by zoo anyway.  Everyone always has to bring up how Columbus in inferior and only has a huge population from annexation, but the metro area is still growing very rapidly

Everyone always has to bring up how Columbus in inferior and only has a huge population from annexation, but the metro area is still growing very rapidly

 

Agreed. Just because Cbus is enjoying some success, doesn't make Ohio's other cities any less wonderful in their own right. I think I lurk more than I post partly because things seem to turn into a competition so quickly around here.

 

Good for Jack Hanna and the zoo. I can't wait. Now all we need are a couple of pandas to go with the manatees.

Over at Urbanplanet.org, I was reading the riverfront plan for Cleveland.  I was simply amazed and began to hope and pray that the redevelopment of the riverfront comes to fruition.  I want to see every major city in Ohio make it because that will only benefit us all as Ohioans.  Most states have only one (perhaps two) major cities. Think about New York. Outside of NYC, does anyone really care?  If not for Atlanta, where would Georgia rank?  Right now, I can't name another Louisiana city besides NO and Baton Rouge.  California is synonymous with LA while Seattle is synonymous with Washington state.  What about the "Great State of Chicago" (and then you have the rest of the State of Illinois--LOL)?

 

I completly agree with you with all of your points, but I just had to call you out on this one thing.  LA is the largest city in California, but it is a stretch (to say the least) to think that is all people think about when they hear California.  How about the beautiful city of San Francisco, or San Diego, Oakland, Santa Monica, or San Jose for that matter.  California was a bad example, but you could have included:  Nevada, Arizona, NC, Mass., Michigan, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Oregon.

 

I would say the only states that have Ohio beat or tied in terms of multiple large/reconizeable cities would be:  California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Texas. 

PA?   Philly is bigger than any city in Ohio, but then you go down to Pittsburgh(est pop 313,000)...then the next biggest city is Erie which is under 200,000.  I my opinion, I think Ohio Has PA beat in that department...not quite sure how the Columbus Zoo fits in here though?  :)  I like Cleveland metropark zoo, reminds me of the Central Park Zoo (so say my friends from NYC as well), but the Bronx Zoo is really something to behold, not quite sure if Columbus compares to that or not.

Memo to Fratboy Dawg.

 

Please post on here the next time the Toledo zoo is mentioned, in a positive light, in the national media.

You'll still be down 1,000 to 5 with the exposure Jack Hanna got the Columbus Zoo with his yearly visits to David Letterman and all 3 network morning shows.

 

I'll take first gorilla born in captivity over first Manitee exhibit in Ohio every day of the week and leap day as well.

 

 

From what I generally have seen from all of Ohio's zoos...

 

1). Cincinnati

2). Cleveland-Columbus-Toledo (all three are very good; I wouldn't put any over anyone)

3). Akron

4). Dayton's horrendous "Zoo Ohio"

Sea World was the best zoo.

Sea World was the best zoo.

 

I had thought that Sea World closed down.

Yes, it was bought out by Six Flags originally, then Cedar Fair bought "Geauga Lake" and shut down Sea World's side for good.

It kinda makes you wonder about this. Chicago has one zoo, but Ohio has 6+? How are we able to afford all of this? Is this why Ohio is so far behind? Ohio has too many duplicate things.

I think this is great news for Columbus! I think our zoo is awesome!!!

Akron and Dayton have zoos?? I never hear about them. Are they popular?

 

I'd put Toledo top in Ohio, due mainly to its architecture and layout. Both Cincinnati and Toledo lead Ohio in terms of variety. They each have 700 different species of animals. Cleveland and Columbus are only slightly behind with 600 species.

 

Yes, Akron's is west of downtown and Dayton's is in the Boomshoft complex.

 

Cincinnati "tops" Toledo's architecture, along with being the 2nd oldest zoo in the country, beautiful topography, heart of the city, and having a fantastic (and I believe largest) collection of animals in Ohio.  That is why I put Cincinnati in the top position.  Columbus, Toledo, and Cleveland all have wonderful zoos as well and honestly don't top each other (again, Toledo, for its small size, has an excellent zoo).  I did enjoy Cleveland's Rainforest Exhibit very much.

Don't forget also that the Cincy zoo is expanding too.

Cincinnati "tops" Toledo's architecture.

 

Just your opinion. If any zoo is known for its architecture, it's Toledo's. :wink:

 

Toledo AND Cincinnati are the top zoos in Ohio in terms of animals, location (if you like urban zoos), and layout. Columbus and Cleveland are only slightly behind.

 

And I have to ask, when was the last time you actually toured the Toledo Zoo, and did you see all of it?

 

Um.  No.  The Elephant House alone > Toledo's Avary.  I went to the Toledo Zoo (as part of a class; Zoology...don't ask how a landscape architecture major got into THAT class...) along with the Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and The Wilds in 2003.  The class sucked ass but the trips were great and got to see Ohio's best zoos.  I REALLY enjoyed Cleveland's Rainforest.  It was somewhat like Omaha's.

Toledo AND Cincinnati are the top zoos in Ohio in terms of animals, location (if you like urban zoos), and layout. Columbus and Cleveland are only slightly behind.

 

I did not see the same variety of animals in Columbus that I saw in Toledo, nor the architecture.

 

Honestly, I'd rank it below Toledo, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. I don't mean to make it sound like a horrible zoo or anything, it's just that it has some incredible competition in its own state. No state has as many major, high-quality zoos as OHIO!!!!

 

Throwing the quotes right back atcha.  They, of course, are opinions as well.  Saying "I like the Elephant House better than the Avary" is no different than me stating "Elephant > Avary."  It gets the same point across.  We are all discussing opinions so it isn't out of place to say that "Cincinnati's Zoo is blah blah and the rest can suck it" or something, since I already made my personal list.

 

And please, no names in Allah.  I'm Jewish (or might as well be).

 

Ο Θεός μου!

First off, my appoligies to nycman. I didn't mean to sound like an asshole (after re-reading my post, I really come off like that), my intention was to interject some kind of humor into the post.

 

It kinda makes you wonder about this. Chicago has one zoo, but Ohio has 6+? How are we able to afford all of this? Is this why Ohio is so far behind? Ohio has too many duplicate things.

 

Honestly, I really don't think Ohio's number of zoos has anything to do with its lagging economy. Most zoological parks are financed by donations, either corporate or personal, as well as through ticket sales and other events held at the parks, in addition to government funding. In addition, I believe most government funding for zoos is provided on the local level (i.e. Franklin County has a sales tax that helps pay for the zoos operating costs). If anything, the multitude and quality of Ohio's zoological facilities is a huge advantage to Ohio's ability to attract visitors, researchers, and other animal experts which in turn helps the economy.

 

And by the way, if we're going to play the "which Ohio city has the best zoo" game, quite frankly that title should go to Cincinnati. I was extremely impressed with the zoo when I visited a few years ago, not only by its beautifully landscaped grounds, but its very impressive animal collection, including a wild cat exhibit that is unparalled in the United States. It's definitely one of the city's many treasures.

It kinda makes you wonder about this. Chicago has one zoo, but Ohio has 6+? How are we able to afford all of this? Is this why Ohio is so far behind? Ohio has too many duplicate things.

 

chicago has 2, lincoln park zoo and brookfield zoo.

It kinda makes you wonder about this. Chicago has one zoo, but Ohio has 6+? How are we able to afford all of this? Is this why Ohio is so far behind? Ohio has too many duplicate things.

 

Chicago is a city. Ohio is a state.  States contain a variety of cities.  Larger cities often times have zoos.    :)

From Business First of Columbus, 4/17/06:

 

 

Zoo nearing deal to buy Wyandot Lake

Business First of Columbus - April 14, 2006

by Adrian Burns

Business First

 

Big changes are on the way for Wyandot Lake.  The southern Delaware County water park's operator, Six Flags Inc., has decided not to renew its contract to run the park and is finalizing an agreement to sell its assets there to the neighboring Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for about $2 million, Business First has learned.  The zoo would take over the park's operations at the end of this season.

 

Read more at http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/04/17/story1.html?from_rss=1

 

i am really amazed at how wonderful all of ohio's major zoo's are. i never really thought of it before this thread, but in total they really seem far better than anywhere else.

 

and now columbus has an opportunity here in the near future to be the biggest and maybe the best of all zoos anywhere. yeah we're looking at you bronx zoo and san diego zoo!

 

who knows? it could happen.

 

it makes me think the zoo's should be even more of a selling point for state tourism than they already are, but the state gov's poor ability to get ohio's name out there in people's faces and publicize stuff like this is a peeve of mine best saved for it's own topic.

 

 

this is great news for columbus! finally, a little more spotlight for columbus.

That would be nice to see their(Columbus) zoo be the largest and best.....Bronx Zoo would be hard to beat....

Zoo to keep Wyandot Lake afloat

Six Flags to sell 17-acre water park for $2 million

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Marla Matzer Rose

 

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is buying Wyandot Lake from Six Flags for $2 million, promising visitors a fresh, botanical look for the water park as newer water-theme parks spout across Ohio.  The 17-acre water park has gone without major upgrades or investment "for probably seven, eight years," said Jerry Borin, executive director of the Columbus Zoo.  "We think a water park there works fine, but ... it has to be a new experience for the community to be compelling."

 

Read more at http://dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/06/13/20060613-A1-01.html

 

Link to Map of Wyandot Lake: http://dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/06/13/20060613-A4-05.html

Asia Quest headliners won’t debut all at once

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Robert Ruth THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Four Siberian tigers are the stars of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s newest exhibit, and they’re as temperamental as Hollywood movie idols.  So visitors will be able to see only two of the stately beasts in Asia Quest for about the first two months.  The 3.5-acre, $15 million exhibit opens Wednesday at 10 a.m.

 

Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/06/20/20060620-A1-03.html

 

Zoo makes do without star tenants

Friday, July 07, 2006

Marla Matzer Rose

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

With its pricey, new Asia Quest exhibit just opened and an ambitious 10-year plan to develop dozens more acres ahead of it, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has made some bold and tough choices.  For example, the zoo has decided to go without some of its most popular animals for periods rather than display them in conditions that aren’t ideal.  If you go to the Columbus Zoo today, you won’t see polar bears or giraffes, though you can buy gift-shop items bearing their likenesses, and you can see giraffes in the zoo’s logo.

 

Read more at

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/07/07/20060707-A4-02.html

Re: the Wyandot Lake purchase, from the 7/7/06 Dispatch:

 

 

GRAPHIC: Zoo comparison

 

PHOTO: Julia Morabeto and her son, Nathan, 8, smile at the end of Wyandot Lake’s Shark Attack ride.  TIM REVELL DISPATCH 

 

PHOTO: Wyandot Lake’s pools were an attractive option over the July Fourth weekend.  CRAIG HOLMAN DISPATCH

 

FUTURE OF WYANDOT LAKE

Zoo leaders awash with ideas for park

Friday, July 07, 2006

Robert Ruth

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Wyandot Lake won’t become another Cedar Point or Sea World, but its soon-to-be owners think it will make at least $1 million a year in profit.  The zoo’s lease with Six Flags, the park’s operator, requires the amusement company to reveal yearly attendance and gross-revenue totals but not expense and net-profit figures.  Over the past five years, Wyandot Lake’s gross revenue and attendance have fluctuated, from a high of $7.3 million and 373,281 visitors in 2001 to a low of $4.91 million and 235,371 in 2004, according to zoo records.  Last year’s totals were $5.6 million in revenue and 286,753 visitors.

 

Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/07/07/20060707-A1-01.html

 

If Jack Hannah did some more Saturn commercials he could just buy some Pandas or Wallaroos or something and get people to come back to the zoo.

Changes idling Wyandot Lake in '07

Business First of Columbus - October 13, 2006

by Adrian Burns Business First

 

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, which plans to purchase Wyandot Lake from Six Flags Inc. for $2 million this month, has decided to idle the park in 2007 while it spends $10 million to $15 million to add a larger wave pool, other water rides and improved facilities, Jerry Borin, the zoo's executive director, told Business First.

 

Read more at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/10/16/story1.html 

 

From the 10/20/06 Dispatch:

 

PHOTO: Rob Clements, of Display Dynamics, dusts a 45-foot dragon that will welcome zoo visitors to Asia Quest on Nov. 3.

 

GRAPHIC: Asia Quest

 

GRAPHIC: New arrivals

 

Zoo’s Asia Quest almost finished

Friday, October 20, 2006

Matt Tullis

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

The animals are taking back their habitats.  The sun bears will climb through an abandoned palm-oil plantation. The silvered langurs will leap around a ruined temple.  Large flying foxes, with wingspans up to 6 feet, will hang on garden trellises and swoop over ferns and ficus trees.  On Nov. 3, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will open the final phase of Asia Quest, a 3 1 /2-acre, $14 million exhibit. The first phase opened in June.  Eight new animals will be on display in an exhibit that places a major emphasis on conservation.

 

Read more at

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/10/20/20061020-E1-04.html

 

I'm a Columbus Zoo Member, but I prefer the Detroit Zoo by far. The Columbus Zoo is an outdoor entertainment expo with a few animals thrown in. In other words, a "new" zoo. The Detroit Zoo is compact and highly usable with a good variety of animals, many within view of each other. In other words, an "old" zoo.

 

Sort of a Comerica Park v. Tiger Stadium thing, if you catch my drift.

 

And yes, the Columbus Zoo is already WAY too big.

 

Thank you.

I'm a Columbus Zoo Member, but I prefer the Detroit Zoo by far. The Columbus Zoo is an outdoor entertainment expo with a few animals thrown in. In other words, a "new" zoo. The Detroit Zoo is compact and highly usable with a good variety of animals, many within view of each other. In other words, an "old" zoo.

 

Sort of a Comerica Park v. Tiger Stadium thing, if you catch my drift.

 

And yes, the Columbus Zoo is already WAY too big.

 

Thank you.

 

Atleast Columbus' Zoo is actually IN city limits, though.

 

Thus, Columbus wins.

I'll buy that logic.

I'm a Columbus Zoo Member, but I prefer the Detroit Zoo by far. The Columbus Zoo is an outdoor entertainment expo with a few animals thrown in. In other words, a "new" zoo. The Detroit Zoo is compact and highly usable with a good variety of animals, many within view of each other. In other words, an "old" zoo.

 

Sort of a Comerica Park v. Tiger Stadium thing, if you catch my drift.

 

And yes, the Columbus Zoo is already WAY too big.

 

Thank you.

 

Atleast Columbus' Zoo is actually IN city limits, though.

 

Thus, Columbus wins.

 

Whatever. You have to drive 40 minutes from Downtown Columbus through Dublin and/or Powell to get to the Columbus Zoo; the Detroit Zoo is 20 minutes from Downtown Detroit.

 

Most badass aspect of the Detroit Zoo: It began with a circus that went out business at Michigan Ave. & Trumble.

Whatever. You have to drive 40 minutes from Downtown Columbus through Dublin and/or Powell to get to the Columbus Zoo; the Detroit Zoo is 20 minutes from Downtown Detroit.

 

It only takes 15-20 minutes to get to the zoo from downtown Columbus (Rt. 315 to the Sawmill exit).  Though I feel that the city should've kept it's original location (Franklin Park), I'm not going to complain about the amusement park-esque atmosphere (hell, it's atleast different).

 

Detroit Zoo has a hideous water tower (with Kwame Kilpatrick signed up next to a facade of The Lion King), dehydrated animals, bats that cough blood, more gorillas than Detroit, high congested traffic, and utterly hilarious city council members threatening to close it.  And to top it off, is near Ferndale.  *Shudders*

Whatever. You have to drive 40 minutes from Downtown Columbus through Dublin and/or Powell to get to the Columbus Zoo; the Detroit Zoo is 20 minutes from Downtown Detroit.

 

It only takes 15-20 minutes to get to the zoo from downtown Columbus (Rt. 315 to the Sawmill exit). Though I feel that the city should've kept it's original location (Franklin Park), I'm not going to complain about the amusement park-esque atmosphere (hell, it's atleast different).

 

Detroit Zoo has a hideous water tower (with Kwame Kilpatrick signed up next to a facade of The Lion King), dehydrated animals, bats that cough blood, more gorillas than Detroit, high congested traffic, and utterly hilarious city council members threatening to close it. And to top it off, is near Ferndale. *Shudders*

I've timed it from IV. I can't make it in much under 40 minutes. But then I'm not driving a Saturn.

 

Hey now about the Detroit Zoo. What did that water tower ever do to you? It's a freaking landmark. I think the design predates the Lion King (I know the designer and remember seeing her design it), and it certainly predates Kwame. A collective sigh of suburban relief was heard when Coleman A. Young's name came off and Dennis Archer's name went up.

 

Congested traffic? No worse than getting stuck on 750 after that harrowing six-way Sawmill/I-270 crossover and a helluva lot less worse than the Olentangy River Road crawl if you take 315 all the way. At least you can park within view of the park; the Columbus zoo lot is terrifyingly large. And the parking lot expansion? Can we say pavement overkill?

 

As for the rest, I don't know nothing 'bout no Kooky Kouncilmembers, emetic bats, or Ferndale hating (the zoo straddles Huntington Woods and Oak Park).

 

I would, however, like for you to expand on your gorillas comment...

I've timed it from IV. I can't make it in much under 40 minutes. But then I'm not driving a Saturn.

 

Hey, ask Downtown_CMH!  We made it in 20 minutes!  You drive slow...tsk tsk.

 

Hey now about the Detroit Zoo. What did that water tower ever do to you? It's a freaking landmark. I think the design predates the Lion King (I know the designer and remember seeing her design it), and it certainly predates Kwame. A collective sigh of suburban relief was heard when Coleman A. Young's name came off and Dennis Archer's name went up.

 

God Bless Oakland County.

 

Congested traffic? No worse than getting stuck on 750 after that harrowing six-way Sawmill/I-270 crossover and a helluva lot less worse than the Olentangy River Road crawl if you take 315 all the way. At least you can park within view of the park; the Columbus zoo lot is terrifyingly large. And the parking lot expansion? Can we say pavement overkill?

 

Well, the traffic on 750 is bad but not going to touch Woodward during traffic.  Also, you have to remember, there are NO Michigan-style drivers (meaning, chickens with their heads cut off) on the way to the Columbus Zoo (unless you take Route 23...oy vey).  And the Columbus Zoo's parking expansion coincides with that safari crap.  The only safari you are going to get at Detroit Zoo is a trip to Detroit.

 

As for the rest, I don't know nothing 'bout no Kooky Kouncilmembers, emetic bats, or Ferndale hating (the zoo straddles Huntington Woods and Oak Park).

 

Ferndale is close enough.  So is...the...Southfield...skyline...

 

I would, however, like for you to expand on your gorillas comment...

 

We HAVE seen Kwame and Martha Reeves before, haven't we?

Kingfish must have missed the "secret short cut" so he would not have to use Oh 750/Powell Rd.  :-P

Otherwise, I agree with ColDay.  The only way it takes 40 mins. to get to the Zoo would be going by COTA Bus, bike, or have your starting point be 30+ miles away from the Zoo.

House to 670 - 1 minute

670 to 315 - 1 minutes

315 to 270 - 12 minutes

270 to Sawmill - 4 minutes

Sawmill to 750 - 5 minutes

750 to Zoo - 5 minutes

Parking space to gate - 15 minutes (2 kids, wife, wagon).

 

I suppose I could shave off a few minutes taking 270 to 33?

 

Ah, who cares. Bring on the giant anteaters: Bring on the Detroit Zoo!

 

(Card carrying member of the ACLU and Columbus Zoo).

 

 

Yeah well I could walk to the Cincinnati Zoo if I wanted to. All of you can kiss my @$$

Given enough time, so could I. Faster than I can drive it, apparently.

House to 670 - 1 minute

670 to 315 - 1 minutes

315 to 270 - 12 minutes

270 to Sawmill - 4 minutes

Sawmill to 750 - 5 minutes

750 to Zoo - 5 minutes

Parking space to gate - 15 minutes (2 kids, wife, wagon).

 

I suppose I could shave off a few minutes taking 270 to 33?

 

Ah, who cares. Bring on the giant anteaters: Bring on the Detroit Zoo!

 

(Card carrying member of the ACLU and Columbus Zoo).

 

 

 

Wait...it takes you that long on Route 315? 

 

God, you really are a fish.

Hey, I LIKE the fact that I have no points on my driving record, as does my insurance company.

 

Not to say I don't still encounter the occasional constable patrollin' and tryna catch me ridin' dirty...

House to 670 - 1 minute

670 to 315 - 1 minutes

315 to 270 - 12 minutes

270 to Sawmill - 4 minutes

Sawmill to 750 - 5 minutes

750 to Zoo - 5 minutes

Parking space to gate - 15 minutes (2 kids, wife, wagon).

 

I suppose I could shave off a few minutes taking 270 to 33?

 

Ah, who cares. Bring on the giant anteaters: Bring on the Detroit Zoo!

 

(Card carrying member of the ACLU and Columbus Zoo).

 

 

 

Wait...it takes you that long on Route 315? 

 

God, you really are a fish.

 

I'm surprised he drives slower on 315 than he does on 670.

 

P.S. Kingfish, the shortcut is using Hard Rd from Sawmill to Riverside Dr.

Don't bother with US 33 through Dublin. Too many traffic lights (unless you want to go the other way and drive through Murfield Village to Glick Rd east).