For Immediate Release
Contact: Gina Stiles
(904) 757-4463, Ext. 210

Splash Ground Re-Opening at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Jacksonville, FL, March 29, 2007— Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is proud to announce the re-opening of Splash Ground at Play Park.  Splash Ground is a 4,000 square-foot splash area where kids can climb on replicas of whales, dolphins, a manatee, manta ray and sea turtles and get wet from water coming from their spouts, over their tails and out of their mouths.  Splash Ground operation hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays during the months of March through September.  Children can also enjoy other areas in Play Park that include:  the Discovery Building; an animal care yard with pygmy goats ready for grooming and petting; two walk-through mazes; squirrel monkey and otter exhibits; Forrest Play and Adventure Camp areas; and a café and dining deck.  There is also Snow Biz snow cones, a new addition to Play Park, to help guests cool off during the warm summer days.

For over 90 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been dedicated to inspiring the discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experience in a caring environment. Starting in 1914 with an animal collection that consisted of one red deer fawn, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has grown to house 1,500 rare and exotic animals and over 1,000 unique plant species. The Jacksonville Zoo is a non-profit organization and is an accredited member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA).  It is open year-round, seven days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. weekends, and is located on Jacksonville’s north side at 370 Zoo Parkway, one-half mile east from I-95.  For more information on the Zoo, log on to www.jacksonvillezoo.org                                                                                                         

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