FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Anthony Puglisi
September 18, 2008 973-621-2542
Lauren Shears
973-621-1590
ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES
NEW ATTENDANCE RECORD AT ESSEX COUNTY TURTLE BACK ZOO
IS SET FOR THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
Public is Invited to Attend Visitor Appreciation Day on Saturday, September 27th
West Orange, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced on Thursday, September 18th that a new attendance record was set at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo for the fourth consecutive year and a new admission revenue record was set for the fifth consecutive year. To thank visitors for another historic year, the Executive invited the public to attend Visitor Appreciation Day at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo on Saturday, September 27th.
On Thursday, September 18th at about 11 a.m., DiVincenzo was on hand to a couple from Atlantic Highlands, Monmouth County, who brought their 23-month-old son to Turtle Back Zoo. (The couple has asked that their names be withheld for privacy purposes.) Upon entering, they were presented with a gift basket that contained stuffed animals, toys and other zoo memorabilia. Myrtle the Turtle, Turtle Back Zoo’s mascot, greeted the family and posed for pictures. The family’s admission to Turtle Back Zoo broke last year’s attendance record of 340,365. While this is the fourth new attendance record in the last four years, it is also the third consecutive year that the Zoo has attracted over a quarter million visitors.
“Making the comprehensive improvements to modernize the zoo and earning accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums have transformed Turtle Back Zoo into a regional attraction. We have introduced a number of rare and exotic animals from around the world and our uniquely designed exhibits allow exceptional views of the animals. Around every corner is a new adventure and amenity, like our Carousel, Train Ride and modern picnic areas to enhance our visitors’ experience at Turtle Back Zoo,” DiVincenzo said. “The attendance and revenue numbers are evidence that our hard work is paying off,” he added.
The County Executive noted that the Carousel, which features 33 figures of endangered animals, and the Australian Animal Exhibit, which features kangaroos, wallabies and emus as well as a walk through aviary with over 500 birds, have both become popular attractions since they opened earlier this year.
The original attendance record of 211,044 was set in 1986 and is now the fifth-highest total. Attendance had fallen to an all-time low in 1995 when 119,995 people passed through the Zoo’s gates and was hovering around 165,000 visitors prior to DiVincenzo taking office in 2003.
Year / Attendance / Revenue2002 / 168,739 / $627,450
2003 / 169,505 / $617,243
2004 / 160,534 / $657,956
2005 / 211,449 / $755,608
2006
2007
2008
(as of Sept. 18) / 258,406
340,364
340,365 / $914,262
$1,263,469
$1,665,220
As the attendance figures have risen over the last two years, so has the revenue. Through Thursday, September 18th, $$1,665,220 in admission revenue was collected, setting a new revenue record for the fifth consecutive year. Before DiVincenzo took office, between $600,000 to $650,000 was collected on an annual basis. The Executive noted that admissions make up about 80 percent of the total Zoo revenue, whereas other zoos traditionally rely on admission revenue for about 30 percent of their funding. He also announced that Turtle Back Zoo should become a self-sufficient facility this year, supported entirely by the revenue it generates.
“Turtle Back Zoo is an exciting place for children and adults to visit,” Zoo Director Dr. Jeremy Goodman said. “With the leadership of County Executive DiVincenzo, we have upgraded our exhibits, gained AZA accreditation and now are home to rare and exotic animals that can only be seen here at Turtle Back Zoo,” he added.
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo Visitor Appreciation Day
To celebrate the new milestones reached at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, DiVincenzo is inviting the public to attend Visitor Appreciation Day, which will be held as follows:
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2008
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo
560 Northfield Avenue
West Orange, NJ
There will be free admission to Turtle Back Zoo all day.
“Visitor Appreciation Day is our opportunity to thank the public for making Essex County Turtle Back Zoo one of the most popular attractions in New Jersey. Because of the tremendous support from you – our visitors – we set a new annual attendance record for the fourth consecutive year,” DiVincenzo said. “I invite you to take advantage of our free admission to enjoy our new animal exhibits and the exciting schedule of activities we have planned for that day,” he noted.
A diverse program of entertainment will be presented from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A band will perform, different Zoo animals will be highlighted, and visitors will get information about various park facilities and upcoming events at numerous display tables. Free admission will be available all day.
Revitalizing Essex County Turtle Back Zoo
In September 2006, Essex County Turtle Back Zoo received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and is among only 217 facilities worldwide that are accredited. Earning accreditation is a clear indication that an institution is committed to the highest standards in animal care, ethics, conservation and education. In addition, new attendance records have been set in each of the last three years. A 20-year-old record was broken in 2005 when 211,449 visitors came to Turtle Back Zoo. In 2006, a new record was set with 258,406 visitors and 2007’s attendance exceeded 340,000.
Since taking office in 2003, DiVincenzo has spearheaded over $20 million in upgrades to Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, which have included developing the Carousel, which features 33 figures of endangered animals; building the Australian Exhibit that features kangaroos, wallabies, emus and over 500 birds in the Aviary; Reptile and Education Center, open air dining pavilion and playground, Penguin Exhibit, Otter Exhibit, Wolf Exhibit, Alligator Exhibit, North American Animal Exhibit, Black Bear Exhibit, Animal Hospital, Essex Farm Petting Zoo and South American Animal Exhibit; renovating the Pepsi Pavilion for year-round use and making upgrades to the entrance as well as fencing and infrastructure to meet AZA requirements. Funding has been provided through Green Acres grants, existing capital improvement bonds, or donations from the Zoological Society, Essex County Parks Foundation, corporations or private foundations. Corporations that have provided support include Prudential Financial, Inc., Wachovia Bank, PNC Bank, PSE&G, Verizon, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Pepsi Bottling Company, Capital One Bank, Commerce Bank and Aramark.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system in the United States. It has been expanded to include about 6,000 acres of land. There are 17 parks, four reservations, a zoo, ice skating rink, environmental center, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, miniature golf course, three off-leash dog facilities and a castle. Turtle Back Zoo is located in Essex County’s South Mountain Reservation and was opened to the public in 1963.
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