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Parks board approves contracts, seeks bids for Wesselman Loop; zoo rhino area improved
Summary
The Evansville Parks Board approved several consent-agenda contracts — including paving and path work at Mesker Park Zoo — and authorized seeking bids for phase 1 of the Wesselman Loop trail project. Zoo director reported completed rhino-holding upgrades and described ongoing needs for giraffe care.
The Evansville Board of Parks Commissioners approved a package of consent-agenda items and heard updates on zoo exhibits at its Sept. 2 meeting.
Among routine approvals, the board authorized a land-use permit with the Evansville Youth Soccer League and approved a contract with an asphalt contractor for the McDonald Golf Course parking lot. The board also granted a naming-rights agreement for Swander Ice Arena with Clear Services Solution and approved a contract and change order for paving and path improvements at Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden.
Eric Beck, executive director for Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden, told the board that contractors completed significant improvements to the rhino holding area, replacing century-old chutes and doors to improve keeper safety and animal welfare. Beck said the zoo has received a new rhino that is acclimating, and that improvements will allow more animal- and keeper-friendly operations and a later public announcement about viewing opportunities.
Beck also summarized facility finances and operations: current adult admission is $11 and children's admission $9; special giraffe feedings produced roughly $60,000 in gross lettuce-sales revenue during recent summer months; and he estimated the zoo operates at an annual deficit on the order of $3,000,000. The board discussed these figures while weighing the timing and scope of larger capital projects.
On parks infrastructure, Director Crook presented diagrams for phase 1 of the Next Level Trail project and requested permission to seek bids for the Wesselman Loop portion; the board moved, seconded and approved beginning the bid process so ARPA and grant funds can be encumbered by year-end. The board also approved a CenterPoint easement to support electric work at Woodmere Dog Park.
What’s next: staff will begin the formal bid process for Wesselman Loop phase 1, move forward with the approved paving and rhino-area work at the zoo, and provide the board with any revised project numbers tied to the larger parks bond process.
