Caldwell Zoo

Reviews 5

DA

Darrell Pierce

Please read all the way... My wife planned for several weeks for this day of taking our 4yr old granddaughter and our 33yr old special needs son to the zoo. It wasnt the best weather, but not to cold or wet. But a big concern for me was being able to make the long walk around the zoo park because I am 58yr old and walking on feet that were really messed up in a wreck several years ago. Standing is ok for some periods of time, but combine that with walking also and it gets way to painful in a short distance and time. I spent 6 months in a wheelchair while the bones mended and decided that getting in and out of a wheelchair aggravated my hips and knees way to much for me to consider that type of service aid. My wife found a "Mini Segway", YES a Mini Segway, a 2 wheeled motorized vehicle that you stand up on. It is self-balancing, I found it to be VERY Easy to control and use as a way to GO with the family and NOT be in so much PAIN. It is NOT one of those Cheap Hover Boards with exploding batteries that are popular with the young kids.. One thing is for sure, it is not a TOY. This is my Service Vehicle for when I need it. It works well everywhere except stairs, and then it is not too heavy that I couldnt carry it up or down stairs. It works very well on inclined surfaces,(ramps ext.)anywhere a wheelchair can be PUSHED.. On Sat April 22 my wife and I took my granddaughter, daughter, son-n-law and our son to the Caldwell Zoo. After walking in from the parking lot to the ticket booth,(I let my segway power itself while I walked beside it), my wife purchased our tickets and we walked through the entrance. After getting inside the entrance, there was a female Zoo manager that talk to me. She question me about my segway, I explained that it was my service vehicle that will help me make it around the park without so much pain from my feet. She questioned if it was for only myself, and I replied yes, it is only for me. She said that would be FINE.. My Granddaughter was already having a great time seeing all that she could from where we were at, and directing us to come on, lets go see MORE... We got together and decided which direction to start out on our tour through the park. I then mounted my Segway and we proceeded to the Flamingos on the left and then to the right toward the Meerkats habitat. When we got to the Meerkats, two park officials ran up in front of me, I was standing still(on the segway) at that time watching my granddaughter looking for the Meerkats. The Officials were a man and a woman. The woman had a troubled look on her face. The man had an inquisitive look. I figured they wanted to know where they could get one of those for themselves.(i get that a lot). Turns out, they were Park Security.. The woman asked, “What is that?" I replied, "It is a Segway, my service vehicle". As the man was asking, “How does it work?" the woman is mumbling, "This doesnt look safe". I explained how it operated, the woman still mumbling to herself "this dont look safe, this isn’t safe". The man never said such. Then the lady says "YOU CANT HAVE THAT IN HERE, its not safe". Oh, the thoughts that went through my mind...... like (drag me out of here like I was on a DELTA flight..!! ) To not cause a scene, I said, "Ok, I will go out to the car and wait for my family to finish enjoying the zoo. The lady reminds me that the zoo has Wheelchairs that I could RENT! Ive done that before, it meant that I wouldnt have a good experience at all do to propelling myself around, or someone else wouldnt enjoy themselves because of pushing me around the zoo. My daughter said that we could all just leave, the Rent-a-Cops did not have a problem with that and wanted to gladly refund our money!! On the way out, my granddaughter was asking " Is that all the animals".. I have always enjoyed going to the Caldwell Zoo.. I am now HURT.. They didnt CARE!!

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ED

Edgar Martinez-Echegaray

Este es un zoológico maravilloso porque es muy amigable y se puede recorrer en un solo día. Hay unos dos mil animales y aunque lo están remodelando se pueden ver la mayoría de los animales. La sección de elefantes está cerrada. Sin embargo, se pueden ver, entre otros, las jirafas que están muy bien cuidadas y alimentadas. Los animales son bien tratados y en lo posible mantienen un ambiente natural. La atención al público es muy buena. Tiene una tiendita que vende toda clase recuerdos y materiales educativos. Mi familia y, en especial, una sobrina de 7 años disfrutaron muchísimo.

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MO

Move with the Moon Jess

I thought it was a great zoo! I kind of wish there were more botanicals around it, but all of the trees and current plants they had were lovely. The giraffe feeding and bird walk through were closed. I typically like information per animal such as names and their stories. When we went into the reptile conservatory there was a zookeeper who brought a tarantula out and told us about her. I wish more of the employees interacted and were excited as he was to show and talk about the animals. I was not impressed with the cafe. It smells weird when you first walk in. The food needs some working on. My boyfriend got the chicken sandwich and I got the pretzel. He said his was OK and my pretzel was microwaved and the cheese was lumpy. They dont have soft served ice cream or scoop ice cream just the prepackaged popsicles. I think he could be fine creatively and not going as cheap and unoriginal. I loved that you could sit outside the cafe and watch the safari animals. I love the penny machines. Restrooms were clean and overall park was taken care of. I probably will be back in the near future but will avoid concession stands and cafe.

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GO

God Is My Oath Crusader

Its a beautiful zoo with well-kept and loved animals. The trails are clear and clean, and theres even a play area for kids. My only negative feedback is on the prices...it was almost $68 for a family of five (one child, one senior discount, and three adult tickets) to get in, and thats not considering food and drinks. Bottle drinks from machines were $3, and consessions were high, too. Twice the normal price of something...although they did fill the baskets to the brim with food. Refills? If you got a souvenir glass (pricy), its a dollar. Regular cup? Buy a new drink or pay $1.50ish for mostly ice. (This includes just getting a cup of water, too.) My advice is to bring a cooler of your own food and drink if you visit this zoo- Ill be doing that next time. Other than that, it was fantastic! Zookeepers that truly care about the animals really make a difference! :)

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SH

Shawn Mizzles

I love this zoo. It does get bad "rep" because they charge. Of course they do. Yes, they used to be free...that was years ago people. Many say Mr. Caldwell said he who never charge...really...when did he say that? Have you thought about the fact the zoo is ran by the Caldwell Foundation? There is cost to keep up such a gorgeous zoo. Food for the animals is not cheap; plus you have to pay employees. The thing is this is a beautiful zoo and the employees are greats. Many of them have been there for years and will continue to be there. Why? Because this place is amazing. And FYI...the employees are not there for the money, they do it because they love it (the pay is not what you think by the way).

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