News Release
Samantha HavilleMarketing Manager
Parks and Recreation
City of Lafayette(765) 807-1505
shaville@lafayette.in.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2022

Columbian Park Zoo to open for 2022 season on Saturday, April 16
LAFAYETTE, IN – April 14, 2021 - At 10:00 am this Saturday, April 16, 2022, the Columbian Park Zoo
will open to the public for the 2022 season. The Zoo will operate under spring hours, opening at 10:00 amand closing at 4:30 pm daily until the peak season begins on May 28, at which point daily hours will
extend to 10:00 am – 7:00 pm.
“We can’t wait to open the gates for the 2022 season,” said Neil Dale, Zoo Director. “Our staff has beenworking hard to prepare the grounds for the Zoo’s Opening Day and we hope the community will comeout and join us!”
Admission fees will remain the same as last year’s; those ages three years and up will be $2.00, while
those two years and younger will be free. Members will also be free.
Due to the launch of a new online system, memberships are available at a discounted rate online throughMay 31. Family Memberships, regularly $50.00, are available for $45.00 and Individual Memberships,regularly $25.00, are available for $20.00. NEW this year, the Grandparent Membership, regularly $50.00,
is available for $45.00 when purchased online on the Zoo’s new online platform. Please visit the Zoo’s
website for more information on membership levels and benefits.

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Guests of the Zoo can look forward to enjoying the historic Columbian Park Express Train, which wasnewly restored in 2021. As far as the ever-popular pedal boats, guests can expect those to be back up
and running later this spring, once temperatures are more consistent. Of the highly-anticipated carouselride, Dale says that the community will have to wait a just bit longer, as the ride itself is still underconstruction.
After a difficult off-season battling what appeared to be avian malaria, Assistant Zoo Director Caitlin
Laffery says their three remaining penguins are still doing well and in stable condition. “In prioritizing thehealth and safety of our remaining birds, we have made the very difficult decision to keep the penguins in
the indoor portion of the exhibit until the exhibit’s public viewing area can be adequately modified.” Lafferysays that in the meantime their team is working on some alternative viewing options for the exhibit so thatthe public can still enjoy our penguin residents. “We are working closely with our exhibit designer to comeup with an exhibit modification plan that will keep mosquitoes out and therefore drastically lower any
future risk of Plasmodium exposure.” Updates on CPZ’s Penguin Cove will be shared as soon as they areavailable.
For more information about the Zoo, please call 765-807-1540 or visit columbianparkzoo.org. Stay up todate on Zoo happenings at www.facebook.com/cpzoo and www.twitter.com/ColumbianPrkZoo!”
About Columbian Park Zoo
Founded in 1908, Columbian Park Zoo is the second oldest zoo in Indiana. It is approximately 6 acres insize and is located in historic Columbian Park. The Zoo features several “immersion” exhibits and theanimal collection consists of nearly 200 animals representing approximately 90 species.
About Lafayette Parks and Recreation
The Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department operates and maintains 700 acres of land within the Cityof Lafayette. This includes the maintenance of more than 27 miles of paved trails. The city’s trails areopen to the public and can be used for a variety of activities including walking, running, biking,rollerblading, and more.
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