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Scovill Zoo Opens For 2012; Introduces Changes

Scovill Zoo in Decatur opened for 2012 this past weekend, and this year holds some new things for the zoo.

Assistant Director at the Zoo, Ken Frye, says they have remodeled their bathrooms and they also have a new concession stand. He believes the new set up will be much more efficient for the zoo employees and for the guests to the zoo.

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The remodel is not completely finished yet as the zoo has opened for the season, but they are hoping to be finished by the end of April and have everything up and going. Frye says the selection at the concession stand has increased just slightly, but they hope the bigger area will be more inviting for people to come and use it and hopefully the zoo can gain some more revenue from it.

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The zoo was able to make these upgrades thanks to a grant they received from the Illinois Museum Fund for 250-thousand dollars. The Decatur Park District then matched that grant. Frye says that would put the cost, right around a half-million dollars for all the upgrades to the zoo for 2012.

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The zoo has plans to add a penguin exhibit next fall and through the winter.

Back by popular demand this year will be several other special days, including free admission Thursday's. For a full list of this year's activities at the zoo, you can visit their website at www.decatur-parks.org/scovill-zoo.

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