Question

Has anyone heard anything about zoos reopening? I’m just curious

Answer 1

Pritzker is trying to lock us in the rest of the summer! I don’t think we will here anything about the zoo opening for a bit!  

Comments

@gastropod I feel this so much .  

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@gastropod the zoo is being relocated to Springfield. The only zoos open right now are the big one in DC and every state capital  

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@thorn98096 I think they are having a rally in Springfield this weekend lol for this unconstitutional madness.  

Answer 2

I don’t see that happening this year. Zoos are more phase 4 or phase 5 unfortunately.  

Answer 3

The only thing I have seen opening is the arboretum. My son misses the zoo so much!  

Comments

@alert mine too. It’s all he asks about and with the Dinosaur event this year he can’t wait

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I hope they figure something out. Even a reservation system so there isn’t too many people in the zoo at a time. We are going to try the drive thru safari in Lake Geneva in a couple weeks so hopefully that holds him over!  

Answer 4

I just checked Brookfield's website yesterday and they don't have any info about plans to reopen. I'm thinking they'd be a phase 5 opening, which could be a long ways off. I'm heart broken because we were gifted a membership at Christmas and haven't used it yet. I'm all about staying safe, but it's still disappointing. I've heard something about a drive through safari style zoo in Lake Geneva that might help some of the kiddos who are really missing out. :)

Comments

@wende6471 I did read about that as well. It is disappointing, I agree  

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They are extending the date of the membership past the expire date for how long it is closed

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@decalescence yeah, bummed that might mean it just gets extended into winter months when I won’t use it with a newborn. We’ll see how it shakes out.  

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@decalescence I be was wondering about that. So sad. My teenage kids still love the zoo and going with friends, they especially love the summer nights and I’m sure that all will be canceled.  

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@kallman we got an email at one point

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@decalescence Thank you. I will look for that email. Or log in to my account Im sure it will show there.  

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@kallman we love summer nights too! I'm going to miss going to them.  

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@attorn We do too. I changed my schedule (I’m a stylist so Friday nights and Saturdays are pretty busy) last year so we can go often. We will miss it for sure. Julian Jumpin Perez has a live party on Saturday nights and we had a small disco night we turn on for the kids while we order out and play games either board games or the old Nintendo Wii we got out of retirement so we can also have bowling nights. They love it.  

Answer 5

I could be totally wrong, but my guess is that zoos will be phase 4 with low capacity and distance rules. We'll see!  

Comments

@drama that’s what I’m hoping! It would be possible to socially distance and limit capacity!  

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@drama I think so, too!  

Answer 6

So sad! I have a 3 yo who keeps asking to go and he just doesn’t understand!  

Answer 7

I really miss the zoo too. I keep seeing people post about the drive through safari in Lake Geneva.  

Comments

@attorn I keep seeing that too. Looks fun. I bet it will be very busy in the summer

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@gastronome it does look fun. I can just see it now- we'll be halfway through and my daughter will say she has to go to the bathroom. If we go I'll have to plan it just right.  

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@attorn yep. I see that too

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Totally worried about the bathroom issue too! An house drive each way too

Answer 8

This summer will sick for us. since we only get 4 months of sunshine still we can't enjoy ourselves. winter we stay indoors due to cold now we stay indoors because of the virus.  

Comments

It makes me so sad thinking about that. I love summer and now we can't do anything. I know we're staying safe to save lives, but it still stinks.  

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@keri - No one has to stay inside. We're not prisoners. Everyone is allowed to go outside for walks, jogging, bicycling, picnics, gardening, etc. Just have to be safe and smart about it.  

Answer 9

Can i piggyback on this thread and ask does anyone know about the beaches? With the public pools being closed i want to still take my little guy swimming  

Comments

@ribeiro2263 I agree, I wonder if private pools like lifetime will even open?  

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@faun949 I know our apartment pool isn't opening  my son practically lived in it last summer. He's gonna be so heartbroken. He's been asking when the pool is going to open since March  

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@ribeiro2263 I totally get where you’re coming from, so many changes for these little people. My son is also asking about school, the park, library  

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I saw Glencoe Beach is open at the end of May

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@schlueter32990 what about the Indiana Dunes? Anyone know?  

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@schlueter32990 I just looked into it but you’re supposed to buy a season pass to get in and there’s no swimming allowed lol

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@faun949 yes! No one can train lifeguards with social distancing so that will be almost everywhere

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Lol well that defeats the purpose ‍♀️

Answer 10

They have the drive thru zoo open in Lake Geneva. Makes me miss when my kids were small.  

Answer 11

Utah's Hogle Zoo has been very successful with their reopening plan. Hopefully, that will continue and other zoos can model their reopening after them.  

Answer 12

Nothing will withstand until phase 5 unless they have endless donations or foundation supporters that have lots of $$

Answer 13

I doubt it will be until phase 4 or 5 but it makes me so sad! My girl is finally old enough for us to make the drive and she’s obsessed with animals. Now chances are she is going to miss out on that along with basically everything else this year.  

Answer 14

I feel like if golf can be open. so can the outdoor portion of the zoo.  

Comments

Who can get ahold of a reporter to explicitly ask Jb why we can golf but not walk around the zoo lol

Answer 15

Phillips park/zoo? They may allow you to walk the trails through ‍♀️

Comments

@decalescence Kloog I just drove by yesterday and they yellow taped the entrances close to the zoo area and even the walking path is closed!  

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@stellarator Tanner ugh. I was thinking of heading out there this weekend! Thanks for the heads up!  

Answer 16

BrookfieldJuly 1 outside only tho. Tentative obviously still tho

Comments

@militant do you have a source for that?  

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@provender953 yup work there

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@militant we miss Cinnamon the llama so much ❤️

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@militant so if my membership expires in June is it being extended for the months during shut down?  

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@exemplification7501 no idea on that one sorry

Answer 17

Great American just put out a notice that they are planning for reopening. It baffles me how they can possibly be opening but nothing else can yet? No date, but that they at least are planning to open this summer.