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Turtleback Zoo hoofstock barn project cleared by county; Green Acres application to proceed
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Summary
After a public hearing, the board voted to support a Green Acres grant application for a new hoofstock barn at Turtleback Zoo in West Orange. County staff presented a bid‑based project budget and an environmental assessment; commissioners closed the hearing and approved moving forward.
At a public hearing that followed the board’s regular agenda, county parks staff presented detailed plans and a cost estimate for a proposed hoofstock barn at Turtleback Zoo in West Orange and the Board of County Commissioners voted to support a Green Acres grant application.
Joshua Zates, business manager for the county’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, said the county is seeking New Jersey Green Acres funding for a project that will expand hoofstock facilities, provide veterinary equipment for field care and create enhanced educational and accessible experiences for families and people with disabilities. He stated the project construction cost in the application and bid submissions as $4,204,798 (including design and contingencies) and the total project cost as $7,000,881 per the bid submitted by Tyspakis Enterprises, Inc.
Zates said an environmental impact assessment required by NJDEP has been prepared and described mitigation steps — temporary erosion controls, staging, and replanting of any removed trees. "The installation of a hoofstock barn will sustain recreation and offer meaningful educational opportunities for children, seniors, families, and individuals with disabilities," he said.
The hearing drew questions from commissioners about footprint, tree removal and stormwater; Zates said the barn would remain within the existing zoo fence line, that minimal diseased trees may be removed and that stormwater issues would be addressed during final design. Commissioners closed the hearing and approved proceeding with the grant application by roll call.
Why this matters: if funded through Green Acres, the project will shift a substantial construction cost onto state grant funds and the county’s partners; commissioners said the improvements aim to enhance animal care and public access. The next steps are final design, permitting and coordination with the zoo’s nonprofit partners for potential matching contributions.
