{"id":12448,"date":"2025-10-22T20:10:46","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T20:10:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/12448\/"},"modified":"2025-10-22T20:10:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T20:10:46","slug":"staten-island-zoo-secures-5-million-for-childrens-center-renovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/12448\/","title":{"rendered":"Staten Island Zoo secures $5 million for Children\u2019s Center renovation"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, NY — The Staten Island Zoo has secured $5 million in funding for a renovation project focused on the Children\u2019s Center, with the goal of making the area more accessible to special needs children and families while modernizing exhibits.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s office with $2 million from the borough president to transform the section of the zoo that hasn\u2019t been updated since its construction in 1968. <\/p>\n

\"StatenBorough 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\"StatenBorough 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<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s one of those few places that we know will always get families, and we\u2019re always looking for ways to improve it, to upgrade it,\u201d Fossella said. \u201cWe want to thank Mayor Adams for stepping up, and we will be basically recreating this entire portion of the zoo.\u201d<\/p>\n

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 \u2018Forest Trek\u2019 exhibit. Additionally, the initiative features plans for a park coordinated with the borough president\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

\"StatenBorough 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\"StatenBorough 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<\/p>\n

The renovation builds on the zoo\u2019s 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 \u201cSpooktacular\u201d Halloween event. <\/p>\n

\"StatenBorough 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\"StatenBorough 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<\/p>\n

\u201cKids, unfortunately, are being denied the opportunity to access nature,\u201d Fossella stated. \u201cWe 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\u2019s the backbone to the zoo.\u201d <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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