Release Date: May 28,2020
Akron Zoo Receives Approval of Reopening Plan
AKRON, Ohio – The Akron Zoo was inspected by the Summit County Public Health Department (SCPHD), which has approved the zoo’s Responsible Restart Plan. This approval will allow the zoo to reopen once the Governor’s office chooses a reopening date for Ohio’s accredited zoos.
The approved reopening plan covers critical key points such as social distancing, time-ticketing, a one-way path, regular disinfecting, reduced touch points, usage of masks by staff and special hours for high-risk guests. The Akron Zoo continues to follow all guidelines issued by the Center for Disease Control, Ohio Department of Health and the SCPHD regarding disease prevention methods for COVID-19.
“We have worked in partnership with the SCPHD to ensure we can safely and responsibly reopen, and we are pleased they have approved our plan,” said Doug Piekarz, president & CEO at the Akron Zoo. “The Akron Zoo is an outdoor park in every sense of the word, but unlike other parks, which have been allowed to remain open, we have the ability to control admission through timed-ticketing. We also employ veterinary medical professionals who are skilled at preventing disease transmission as part of their regular duties. With them, we have designed a zoo experience that provides greater measures of safety than are presently available in other park settings. These factors make us among the safest organizations that could operate at the present time. The Akron Zoo was designed with 85 percent of its features to be enjoyed outside, and our indoor facilities will remain closed at this time. We miss our guests and look forward to providing them the opportunity to visit us in the near future. We appreciate the hard work and strong leadership of our Governor’s Office, State Department of Public Health and the SCPHD during this crisis.”
The Akron Zoo remains closed until further notice in accordance with direction from the State of Ohio. The zoo will make updates on its website and social media. For more information, visit www.akronzoo.org or call 330-375-2550.
Founded in 1953, the Akron Zoo is a non-profit, world conservation zoo with over 1,000 animals from around the world. Located just west of Downtown Akron, the zoo strives to connect your life to wildlife while inspiring lifelong learning and conservation action. The Akron Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.