Providing Recreational and Educational Opportunities for County Residents

About the Program

Category: Parks and Recreation (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

Cape May County system consist of four parks, the county Zoo is situated in the main park, located in Cape May Court House, the county seat. The Zoo encompasses over 200 acres of open space and is home to 550 inhabitants, representing 250 species. The Zoo is AZA accredited, a designation earn by fewer than 10% of the approximately 2,800 animal exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture, and a proud participant of the AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP). The parks and zoo are free and managed by county government under the direction of Freeholder Marie Hayes. The staff of full and seasonal employees maintain the grounds, animals and habitats and oversee the programs. The zoo is a source of pride for the 95,000 county residents, attracts visitors from as far as Canada, with a growing annual attendance, with a record 500,000 people in 2015 Understanding the need to enhance the visitor experience, educational and recreational programs have been instituted and offered to the public from toddlers to high school students throughout the year. The park and zoo has become a much needed center for outdoor and educational activities for the sixteen Cape May County municipalities. Each year they host community events and fundraisers that support charities and non-profits who give back to the residents. The county park, surrounding the Zoo, has a stocked fresh water fish pond, miles of winding trails for hikers, bikers and wildlife watchers. Picnic areas and pavilions are situated throughout the wooded area with a large playground, ball fields, tennis court, train and carrousel. In 2015 the Cape May County Zoo was awarded TripAdvisiors “Travelers Choice Award”, ranked #4 of the top 25 Best Zoos in the United States, and also ranked #13 of 25 Best Zoos in the world.