SEATTLE - Fifty cub choir members from Seattle’s West Woodland Elementary serenaded Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels at Woodland Park Zoo today and joined him with mini-shovels and construction hats to officially break ground for Zoomazium – an all-season nature play space for kids. The new 8,500-square-foot learning center opens its doors in spring 2006.

Zoomazium will focus on nature-based opportunities for families and children ages 8 and under and on the special connection that children share with nature. Children will enjoy a fun, playful space using whole body play that allows their imagination to soar. “Fun opportunities for connecting with wildlife and nature are becoming fewer and fewer, especially for our urban children,” noted zoo President and CEO Dr. Deborah Jensen. “Children are fascinated with nature and we know that this fascination can serve as a source of inspiration to care for and act to protect wild things. Instead of learning through watching, children in Zoomazium will learn through play.”

Zoomazium is a space designed exclusively with kids in mind. “We’re working closely with early learning organizations, including Talaris Research Institute and teachers at the Phinney Ridge Community Center, to ensure that we understand and serve the needs of children, as well as education in the early learning community,” said Zoomazium Program Manager Frank Hein. Additionally, Zoomazium will serve as the home base for the zoo’s existing teen-based Zoo Corps. “This group of dedicated teens will provide storytelling, arts and crafts, games, wildlife theatre, a Nature Exchange program and many more activities.”

A zoo fundraising effort is underway to raise $9.6 million in private funds. The funds will be used for construction, operation, and an endowment to support the project and assure Zoomazium’s excellence into the zoo’s future. To date, $5.7 million in private and corporate contributions have been raised toward a goal of $7 million needed for construction costs.

The state-of-the-art Zoomazium is a part of the zoo’s updated Long-Range Physical Development Plan approved by Seattle City Council last fall. It will be located on the site of the former Primate House near the zoo’s West Entrance. See fact sheet for designer and contractor information.

Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. With conservation, education and excellent animal care at the core of the zoo’s mission, the zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.