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NATURE’S NEIGHBORHOODS: THE NEW GEORGE ROBERT WHITE FUND CHILDREN’S ZOO CONCEPT: With seamlessly incorporated play structures, animal exhibits, and hands-on programming, Nature’s Neighborhoods provides a foundation for science education, exploratory learning and connections to the natural world. Using a multi-sensory approach, the exhibit leads visitors through diverse ecosystem “neighborhoods” replicating different bio-geographical regions. DESIGN: The exhibit is organized into biome-based live animal exhibit and experience zones—The Woodlands, Wetlands, Grasslands, and Thicket. All of the spaces are designed to be accessible and inclusive for children and families of all abilities. EXHIBIT FEATURES: PLAY STRUCTURES o Bamboo Climber: Children can explore and climb among live bamboo plantings and an array of vertical, tilted, crossed and intersecting “bamboo” poles which mimic the habitat of a red panda o Eagle’s Nest: A rope mesh “tunnel” leads into a giant eagle’s nest built around an oak tree, where children can get an “eagle’s-eye” view of the Zoo through a sighting tube or spotting scope. A spiral slide leads them back down from the Eagle’s Nest. o Grass Maze: Natures play at its best, perennial grasses make for a perfect maze in which children explore looking for sculpted elements representing animals that live in the grasslands. o Prairie Dog Pop Up: The new prairie dog town provides a unique opportunity to get up close and personal. The exhibit design provided two windows of opportunity to immerse oneself in to the exhibit and come face to face with these always busy little critters. ANIMALS o Red pandas: Resembling a raccoon, the red panda has white and red markings and is covered with dense fur. They use their long, bushy tails to balance while in trees and a small bony projection on their wrists that helps them grip bamboo stalks. In the wild, red pandas are found in the cool temperate bamboo forests in the foothills of the Himalayas and are considered a vulnerable species, threatened by habitat loss. o Prairie dogs: Small, stout, tan rodents with a lightly white or buff-white belly, prairie dogs use their long claws for digging complex, widespread underground burrow systems. Black-tailed prairie dogs are found in short- grass prairie habitats of western North America, from southern Saskatchewan down to northern Mexico. Strictly diurnal, though most active in mornings and evenings, these herbivores generally sleep in the sun in the middle of hot days and are more active when it’s cool or cloudy. o Muntjac: A small Southeast Asian deer, the male of which has tusks, small antlers, and a doglike bark, which has given them the nickname of “barking deer” o Aviary species: White-naped crane, Red-breasted goose, Baikal duck, Azure-winged magpie, Cabot's tragopan TURTLE PONDS o Two turtle ponds host a handful of spotted turtles and an adult Blanding’s turtle. o More of this semi-aquatic reptile species will be introduced to the exhibit next summer as part of Zoo New England’s local conservation work to preserve wild populations of Blanding’s turtles. Through this project, turtle hatchlings are raised in a safe, stable environment at the Zoo until they are ready for re-release into the wild, which greatly increases their survival rate. DONOR WALL o Nature’s Neighborhoods features a donor wall comprised of colorful tiles made by local children and community members that feature animals and nature scenes. EDUCATION: Educational programming for Nature’s Neighborhoods will focus on the importance of habitats, ecosystems, biomes and the inter-connectedness of animals and plant life within an ecosystem. Scavenger hunts, interpretive activities will be incorporated into some of Zoo New England’s programming with students, parents and toddlers, and camps, as well as informal interpretation and scheduled encounters. OPENED: September 1, 2016 DESIGN TEAM: Lead architect: Cambridge Seven Associates, based in Cambridge Exhibit Designer: Main Street Design, based in Cambridge FUNDING: The total cost of the project was $7.2 million dollars. The George Robert White Fund made a $3 million capital investment to build Nature’s Neighborhoods, which occupies and expands the space of previous George Robert White Fund Children’s Zoo. Generous support for Nature’s Neighborhoods at the George Robert White Fund Children’s Zoo also comes from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, the Barr Foundation, the Yawkey Foundations, Robert L. Beal, Grace and Ted Fey, Peter A. Wilson, The Charisma Fund - Lucy R. Sprague Memorial Fund, Emily V. Wade, Cabot Family Charitable Trust, Highland Street Foundation, the Gifford Family, Citizens Bank and AT&T, among other generous donors. ZOO HOURS: Summer Hours (April 1 – September 30) 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. weekdays 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. weekends and major holidays Winter Hours (October 1 – March 31)* 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily *Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day ZOO ADMISSION: Adult: $19.95 Senior (62+): $16.95 Child (ages 2-12): $13.95 Children under 2: Free Members: Free ADDRESS: One Franklin Park Road Boston, MA 02121 PHONE: 617-541-LION WEBSITE: www.franklinparkzoo.org SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: Franklin Park Zoo @ZooNewEngland @ZooNewEngland For more information, please contact Erin DeVito or Patrick Cusick, marlo marketing, 617-375-9700, [email protected] / [email protected] ### Zoo New England manages Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Stone Zoo in Stoneham. Both are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Zoo New England's mission is to inspire people to protect and sustain the natural world for future generations by creating fun and engaging experiences that integrate wildlife and conservation programs, research, and education.