Last week life duties took my time, and I didn't get to the Zoo at all. I started this week with my regular Monday morning visit. I parked, and then saw what looked like the same exact gathering of trash that I was bothered by two weeks ago.
Documenting it was the lead-in for this weekend's, This Week At The Zoo Post, and in first place on my list in my draft post titled, What I'd Like To See At Our Zoo. The later a rehash of what I have long considered major Needs that were neglected by Our Zoo's previous failed management.
At the top of My Short List:
1. That Damn Perimeter Fence
2. Code Red Barriers
3. Stop Panda Plan
4. Re-Imagine Triple Grotto for Our Orangutans
5. Guarantee Security for Our Chimpanzees
6. Guarantee Security for Our Lions - See #3 for that to happen.
Two immediate visual Needs to be met, and four moral actions to be taken.
I have written an exhausting amount of posts about these things, some for years.... No one cared. The former Director, where the buck stopped, because no one could do anything without her approval, did not care. I've also written an exhausting amount of posts detailing and documenting her lack of care.
Those who have been following this blog, or know me, know that my main concern is always for the Animals. My specific goal since their arrival has been Our Orangutans. All my endless efforts to document and network their plight here, has been an effort to push someone with authority to do what is morally right for them. That said, it's a huge money task, so obviously can't take a top slot in the immediate action column, even if the foremost issue in my mind.
So, the purpose of this post, is to give kudos to what I can only guess is the result of new management. Again, Monday I see that same two week trash in that corner of the perimeter fence. Then, yesterday's Zoo Newsletter comes through with this...
Hallelujah, not only is attention being shined on this Damn Fence area, but the words, "...part of an overall beautification project" and "...making your Zoo presentable", give hope That Damn Fence will come down, and shows that someone has cared to look at the front of Our Zoo, and not only see it, but see that it's appearance matters. That is a huge step, after seventeen years of the former Director frankly not giving a shit if Our Zoo looked downtrodden.
In a couple posts about the fence, I included some ideas. I've been on this fence issue for near seven years. Tried to get a new one via the RecPark's Fence Replacement Program, they refused, even though the Zoo is in their Department. Shocking, but not surprising. The RecPark continues to act like the Zoo is not part of RecPark, at least in the same way other facilities are.
Anyway, in my opinion, That Damn Fence and the equally ancient and deteriorated pillars need to come down. There's a chain link fence behind them. It would be an expense, but it would look really nice to extend the rock work from the old entrance, down along that fencing til it meets the black fence closer to the entrance. It doesn't need to be as impressive or high as the existing rock detail, maybe three ft tall. Unless this could be done flush against the chain link, there does seem to be a space that would still present, and possibly be an issue for coyote dig holes. Could be remedied either with a cement pour or cinderblocks added in front of that (behind and unseen by new rocks). On the Zoo side of the fence, I see three options to block view into Zoo. A new wooden fence (again on Zoo side, to prevent a surface for graffiti), tarping, or a faux leaf panel. I seen one outside a business recently and it looked and felt decent. Anyway, those are my ideas. At least I have ideas!
Speaking of graffiti, I noted in a long ago post, my idea for keeping graffiti off the black portion of the fence, by leaving and encouraging Ivy growth to cover that surface. It was growing in nice for months, til it was all removed?! It looked nice, so I don't get. Grow it back or put the faux leaf panels up, and maybe put back the banners that were there on top.
I hope this Renew The Zoo clean-up will remove the sand that has gathered and is what is catching some of the trash. I'd also like to see the sand mound along the fence that leads to the parking lot leveled. And all that ragged tarping replaced and positioned on Zoo side.
Something else I never updated about the outside of Zoo, but documented in a few posts, was about the burnt out trash can near the Sloat gate. In January, after too long looking at that damn can, and knowing that the former Director was not going to do anything about it, or this mess around it (which no one even sweeped for a week!), I contacted DPW via 311.
I can't fix That Damn Fence, but I can sure as hell be someone's pain in the ass about this trash can, and that's what it took. Five months of complete incompetence on DPW's part, and I finally got them to do something. They wouldn't remove it, or replace it, but they changed out the top and installed a new door. There's still often a big overflowing mess in and around it, but at least it doesn't look war torn. ... Your welcome Tanya Peterson, I did your job for you.
As a reminder, former Director Tanya Peterson also drove past this for a week and did nothing about it...
So, in closing, I have a decent feeling that Our Zoo is making progress getting these little things, that make a big difference, done. In case you missed my documentation, so far since new management took over a month ago, Our Zoo has seen the completion of the netting over Flamingos, the start of returning the Lion Fountain back to a working fountain, and now attention to the outside fence line, and hopefully That Damn Fence.
Now, if we can just get word from new management that the irresponsible Panda Plan has been stopped, and the Orangutans will be getting a new home built, both actions that will secure that Our Lions, Chimpanzees and Orangutans will stay at Our Zoo, things would really be looking-up for the future of Our Zoo.
So glad there are some good signs!!
ReplyDeleteyay for renew the zoo!
ReplyDelete