We bought a zoo (pass)

We finally bought a zoo pass this year.  We couldn’t really justify it before because even though we live 5 minutes from it an Lo loves the zoo, we never go more than once or twice a year.  Now that Jenson is here and is old enough to start checking things out, it seems like the perfect time.The pass was about $125 for a family pass with free parking and we can take two guests with us any time we go.  The Zoo is pretty expensive regularly – something like $15 per person and $8 for parking…which can get pricey for a whole family.  Having the pass means that we won’t feel like we wasted money if we just go for an hour or two.

The zoo has been rated the best zoo in the nation – and it’s good – but they are trying to pass a levy and I’m sure I agree with it.  Even though it’s technically in the neighboring county, the land is owned by our county, so it would be our property tax.  It wouldn’t increase the yearly cost by much, but there are better uses for my tax money.  The fact that the businesses in the county in which the zoo resides are mostly the ones that are benefiting from the traffic and visitors, the tax levy should apply to both counties.  The current levy would expire next year, and instead of asking for an extension, they are asking to double the levy and make it permanent.  Some of the improvements and expansion that they are planning just don’t seem necessary – like a downtown mini-zoo (which will only account for less than 10% of the levy….but in that case, just ask for 10% less and skip that unnecessary addition).  So even though I don’t agree with the levy – I still support the zoo – after all, we bought a pass.  I would be more okay with the levy if Franklin County residents received a better discount than on Wednesdays (how about a discount on a yearly pass or free parking?).

But anyway…

Since we were staying in town for Easter and it was such a nice day, it seemed perfect for Jenson’s first zoo trip.  He slept almost the whole time, but woke up to have a picture taken with the Easter Bunny (or some bunny – Peter Rabbit?  Buster Bunny?  I don’t know).

It was a nice day, but lots of the animals were lazy bones and just lounging around (they didn’t want to work on Easter I guess).  Regardless, I’m looking forward to more zoo days!