Happy Hollow Park and Zoo says it’s back
The San Jose favorite is returning after coronavirus forced its closing in mid-march
After a nearly eightmonth closure because of the coronavirus pandemic, San Jose’s Happy Hollow Park and Zoo will reopen this month with new safety protocols — and without the typical crowds.
Visitors hoping to make a trip to the zoo will need to make a reservation online ahead of time, a new protocol put in place to keep the crowds at a small fraction of its normal capacity and allow ample space for social distancing.
“We’re so excited to finally welcome everyone back,” said Charlotte Graham, a spokesperson for the zoo. “We have put a robust reopening plan in place, and now we’re really just looking forward to providing a fun and safe experience where people can enjoy the outdoors, stretch their legs and learn about nature, our animals and wildlife conservation.”
Starting at 10 a.m. Monday, members of Happy Hollow can begin making online reservations for members-only days, which will run from Tuesday to Nov. 21. Nonmembers and the general public can begin making reservations Nov. 13 for visit dates beginning Nov. 24. Up to 50 tickets will be sold per entry time slot, which will be every 30 minutes from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Happy Hollow’s first phase of reopening — dubbed Walk through the Zoo — will feature discounted admission for access to a one-way walking path that weaves through the park’s two zoo areas with rescue wildlife and endangered species. Upon return, visitors finally will be able to meet the latest addition to the zoo — a black-and-white-ruffed lemur pup, Koa, who was born in April.
Park officials have set up a new virtual tour and map that guests can pull up on their phones to learn more about the animals that they come across during their walk.
“It’s a new and different way to experience Happy Hollow than most people have done before,” Graham said.
The park’s rides, puppet theater, eating areas and playgrounds will remain closed for now. During this phase of the park’s reopening plan, reservations will cost $8.50 for guests ages 2 and up. Visitors will be required to show proof of their reservations to enter the park.
Since its closure, Happy Hollow officials have added a variety of safety precautions and policies, including sanitation stations, health screenings and requirement of face coverings.
Staffers and guests ages 2 and up will be required to wear face coverings at all times while in the park.
Because of this requirement, the park’s picnic areas are closed and guests are urged not to bring any food or drinks inside the park.
Happy Hollow also will require that all guests and staff complete a quick health screening before entry, including a temperature check and a handful of yes-or-no questions related to symptoms and potential COVID-19 exposure. Visitors are asked to arrive 10 minutes before their reservation time to complete the health screening.
Julio Serrano, guest services specialist at the park, reminded visitors in a video message to “stay with your group, take turns at viewing areas and maintain a 6-foot distance from staff and other guests who are not part of your household.”
Happy Hollow, which typically receives about 500,000 visitors annually, has been closed since mid-march amid state and county public health orders put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19. At one point earlier in the pandemic, San Jose briefly used the zoo’s parking lot to place more than 100 trailers for homeless residents to quarantine and ride out the pandemic.
When Santa Clara County moved into the orange tier of the state’s reopening plan last month, museums and zoos like Happy Hollow were permitted for the first time since March to open at up to 50% capacity.