Southwick’s Zoo to reopen after closure due to pandemic
MENDON – Southwick’s Zoo, a 6th generation family-owned zoo forced to close for the better part of three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is slated to finally welcome visitors on Monday as part of the first phase of Gov. Charlie Baker’s four-phase plan to reopen Massachusetts.
Already reeling from a loss of peak period revenue for the months of April and May, reopening the Mendon, Mass. Zoo couldn’t come faster for Betsey Brewer, co-owner and executive director and founder of EARTH Ltd., the non-profit arm of Southwick’s Zoo.
“We are eager to open to the public, but to do so we must follow strict guidelines and protocols for visitors and staff,” she said.
Starting Memorial Day, the zoo will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but it’s going to be different. First of all, visitors will be required to purchase “phase one” zoo tickets online for a specific date and entry time. Tickets will not be available to purchase at the entrance during phase one. That means Zoo-It-All or admission only tickets, value passes, library passes, donated tickets, or any other pre-purchased admission cannot be accepted.
Admission tickets purchased online that were dated to expire in 2020 or in May 2021 are now valid until Oct. 31, 2021 and will be honored during next year’s season. This includes unused 2019 admission tickets and any admission tickets purchased online for the 2020 season.
Only certain parts of the zoo will be open during phase one, including the outdoor animal exhibits and 35-acre deer forest. Restrooms will be open and there will be some outdoor food and retail venues available for visitors.