South Texas Botanical Exhibit & Park- Now Open!

Gladys Porter Zoo is excited to invite the public to celebrate the grand opening of the Zoo’s newest attraction the South Texas Botanical Exhibit & Park. The park features an enchanted South Texas themed playground and is nestled in an area landscaped with native plants. It is located adjacent to the butterfly garden and recently re-opened Butterflies, Bugs & Blooms exhibit.

The playground is one-of-a-kind, and contains sensational play structures. Among them is a 22-foot-tall Discovery Tree with multiple slides, a sliding pole, and lots of ADA features. An elevated walkway connects the Discovery Tree to the ClubHouse which features a slide, a talk tube and secret alcove. There is also a whimsical Castaway Boat with all the bells and whistles that will totally captivate toddlers. Playground visitors can also cool off under the refreshing water misters at Martha’s Cove.

Zoo staff has been working for months to convert a former railroad track area donated by the City of Brownsville into a beautiful park for visitors to enjoy. The play structures were created by Themescapes, Inc. a Minnesota-based company specializing in themed amusement parks, waterparks, hotels, casinos, restaurants, zoos and museums across the world. Their staff has been onsite for several months, sculpting play structures into enchanting platforms for themed play and installing ladders, slides and poles.

“I know Zoo visitors are going to be wowed by our new addition.We are particularly proud of the huge sculptures of South Texas animals on the Discovery Tree. Despite the unplanned downpours courtesy of Hurricane Alex and a tropical depression, our staff has really pulled together to get this park completed,” said Zoo Director, Dr. Patrick M. Burchfield. The South Texas Botanical Exhibit & Park was made possible by grant funds and generous contributions from over 40 donors. The park will be open during regular Zoo hours. Admission is free with regular Zoo admission or Zoo membership.

Giraffe Landing – Now Open!

The new Giraffe Landing Feeding Experience allows visitors to get up close and personal with the Gladys Porter Zoo’s giraffe herd. Visitors stand on a specially built, ADA-accessible platform to provide a safe and meaningful animal feeding opportunity. Feedings cost three dollars for giraffe treats, with regular Zoo admission or Zoo membership. Giraffe Landing will be open on weekends and special engagements from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., weather permitting.

Butterflies, Bugs & Blooms – Now Open!

The Gladys Porter Zoo officially re-opened Butterflies, Bugs & Blooms on Friday, March 12th Come experience a spectacle of sights, smells and sounds in this free-flight greenhouse exhibit. Butterflies, Bugs & Blooms features various species of flowers, plants, butterflies and bugs that visitors can interact with and see up close. The exhibit will be open during regular Zoo hours, Monday through Sunday. Admission to Butterflies, Bugs & Blooms is one dollar with regular Zoo admission or Zoo membership.

JULY 25, 2010 -Celebrate your child at the 7th Annual Kids Appreciation Day

Go on an adventure with your child around the Zoo! Every child receives a special passport which takes them on a scavenger hunt around the Zoo where they will visit themed activity stations focusing on health and wellness, safety, animal conservation and enrichment. Once their passport is full they will be eligible to enter a drawing for back-to-school prizes. In honor of Kids Appreciation Day, the Zoo will also give-away goodie bags for the first 1,000 children that complete their passports! It’s a day full of fun activities for all visitors!

Coupons are available at the following locations:

Cricket Wireless
3025 Boca Chica Blvd, Brownsville

Cricket, Pavilion Las Tiendas
600 E. US Exp 83, McAllen

Select Pocket Communications Stores

Each coupon admits one child free with paid adult admission; limit two coupons per family. National KidsDay is a day set aside each year to celebrate and honor America’s children by spending meaningful time with them. For additional information about National KidsDay, visit www.kidsday.net.