(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City Mayor Duane Parry has made the decision to re-open the Washington Park Zoo on an appointment only basis beginning Friday.

  

The Zoo will be open to the public by APPOINTMENT ONLY from 10 am-4 pm with gates closing at 2:30pm, he said.

 

Parry said zoo visitors must enter the secondary entrance to Washington Park located on Lake Shore Drive across from the zoo.                         

 

In order to ensure the safety of staff and guests, Parry outlined a number of recommendations for the public to follow.

•  
• We prefer the use of credit cards, however, cash will be accepted.
• We will be restricting the number of guests entering the Zoo each day to ensure proper distancing.
• All Zoo visits will be required to have a timed ticket entry to help limit the number of people in the zoo. Guests will have to reserve timed entry for each member of their party for a designated time slot through our office. We request that all reservations be called into the Zoo office at 219-873-1510 before the day of your visit to avoid lines and ensure that we have availability.  When purchasing a reservation slot, you can choose a 30-minute time slot to enter the Zoo and can only enter during that 30-minute window.

 

Reservations also apply to Zoo members. Your membership card, Photo ID, and your timed ticket reservation will be checked on entry. Membership purchases and renewals must be made by phone, online, or mailed in since we cannot issue them at the window in order to avoid lines forming.

 

• Early or late arrivals CAN NOT be accommodated.
• There will also be no re-entry into the zoo, so please be sure that you have everything with you before entering.
• You can choose tickets good for admission during half-hour blocks between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and each timed ticket will be limited to 2-hours inside the zoo so we can accommodate as many guests as possible while limiting capacity. Please proceed to the exit once your 2-hour window is up.   Zoo hours will remain at 10 am until 4 pm daily.
• Face coverings will be necessary for everyone visiting the Zoo and guests must bring their own face masks.
• Walk-up service will be available at the concession stands. No outside food is allowed in the zoo.
• The water fountains, wheelchair rentals, stroller rentals, the Safari Train, Observation Tower, will remain closed, due to the CDC, state, and city social distance policy.
• The zoo gift shop has moved out of the zoo.  The new location is located across Lake Shore Drive in the Oasis Splash Park (which is closed for the 2020 season).  The new location has a walk-up service window.
• Visitors also will be encouraged to observe a minimum six-foot social distancing.
• The Red Barn will be open with hand sanitizing stations available, but please watch your children and their distance to other visitors.