The Friends of Chippewa Park is asking Council to make a decision on the future of its wildlife exhibit only after its Master Plan is complete.
The group made a presentation tonight at the city’s post-budget public meetings, and pled its case to keep the Park’s zoo open.
Treasurer Bill LaFontaine says the park plays an important role in the range of experiences available to residents.
He says while the Park can see anywhere between 2,000 to 3,000 people each weekend, with half of those people making a trip to the zoo, a decline in income is a ripple effect caused by a number of issues.
Mayor Keith Hobbs asked the group if something like a water park, similar to that of Wisconsin Dells, would generate greater revenue as an alternative to the exhibit, and LaFontaine said yes.
LaFontaine says the Master Plan is supposted to be completed this summer.
