STATEN ISLAND, NY — The Staten Island Zoo has secured $5 million in funding for a renovation project focused on the Children’s Center, with the goal of making the area more accessible to special needs children and families while modernizing exhibits.

Borough President Vito Fossella along with Kenneth Mitchell, the executive director of the zoo, announced the funding at a press conference on Wednesday. The funding combines $3 million from the mayor’s office with $2 million from the borough president to transform the section of the zoo that hasn’t been updated since its construction in 1968.

Staten Island Zoo to transform Children's Center with $5M investmentBorough President Fossella and Mayor Adams have joined forces to fund a complete renovation of Staten Island Zoo’s aging Children’s Center.Advance/SILive | Nicolette CavallaroStaten Island Zoo to transform Children's Center with $5M investmentBorough President Fossella and Mayor Adams have joined forces to fund a complete renovation of Staten Island Zoo’s aging Children’s Center.Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro

“It’s one of those few places that we know will always get families, and we’re always looking for ways to improve it, to upgrade it,” Fossella said. “We want to thank Mayor Adams for stepping up, and we will be basically recreating this entire portion of the zoo.”

According to Mitchell, the project will be a complete transformation with a sensory theme. This project is phase two of a larger zoo development plan, which includes completing the ‘Forest Trek’ exhibit. Additionally, the initiative features plans for a park coordinated with the borough president’s office.

Staten Island Zoo to transform Children's Center with $5M investmentBorough President Vito Fossella along with Kenneth Mitchell, the current executive director of the local zoo, announced the funding at a conference on Wednesday, Oct. 22.Advance/SILive | Nicolette CavallaroStaten Island Zoo to transform Children's Center with $5M investmentBorough President Fossella and Mayor Adams have joined forces to fund a complete renovation of Staten Island Zoo’s aging Children’s Center.Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro

The renovation builds on the zoo’s existing educational mission, as the facility currently serves 20,000 school children annually. Mitchell said. In recent weeks, the zoo also welcomed 6,000 visitors over the course of two days for its “Spooktacular” Halloween event.

Staten Island Zoo to transform Children's Center with $5M investmentBorough President Fossella and Mayor Adams have joined forces to fund a complete renovation of Staten Island Zoo’s aging Children’s Center.Advance/SILive | Nicolette CavallaroStaten Island Zoo to transform Children's Center with $5M investmentBorough President Vito Fossella along with Kenneth Mitchell, the current executive director of the local zoo, announced the funding at a conference on Wednesday, Oct. 22.Advance/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro

“Kids, unfortunately, are being denied the opportunity to access nature,” Fossella stated. “We want to give kids some basic little things to enjoy with families. In terms of an educational point of view, they should know what the world is around them, and they can hear, they can come and see and touch and learn. I think that’s the backbone to the zoo.”

Officials said the $5 million project represents a significant investment in making the Staten Island Zoo more inclusive and accessible to visitors of all abilities.

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