Magnetic Hill Zoo director Jill Marvin (Staff photo)
The Magnetic Hill Zoo is welcoming back visitors this week, with a new experience that will keep visitors and staff safe.
Doors will reopen to the public on Tuesday, with some changes that will ensure the safety of guests and staff.
Zoo director Jill Marvin says tickets can now be purchased online and they are limiting the number of visitors allowed inside the park to 300, during two sessions each day: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Visitors with pre-purchased tickets, including memberships and complimentary tickets, will enter through the side gate of the entrance building.
Visitors purchasing tickets on-site will enter the main doors of the Entrance building and one person per family unit will approach the ticket window while others wait in a designated spot a few feet away.
Marvin says memberships already purchased for 2020 will be honoured until June 9th, 2021 but no new memberships will be sold for the remainder of 2020.
Visitors will choose between two, one-way paths, a full or half loop around the zoo and are asked to maintain proper physical distancing throughout the park.
You will have the option of walking a 0.8 km loop or a 2 km loop. A map of the modified one-way trail is available online here.
“And we’re asking people not to touch the windows where you can see our cats. We’re asking everybody to follow the normal rules and regulations, stay on the visitor pathway, but really just enjoy their visit and be inspired by our beautiful animals,” says Marvin.
Play structures and animal contact areas for ducks, deer, and goats as well as food services will remain off limits during the initial phase.
Tourism is one of many industries impacted by the COVID-19 and consequent travel restrictions.
Marvin hopes New Brunswickers will support the region’s economy this summer by visiting what the province has to offer, including the zoo.
