Chaffee Zoo announces major donation for paving project
Fresno Chaffee Zoo announced Tuesday it has received a $232,000 cash donation from David Mcdonald for the specific purpose of paving several high visibility visitor walkways.
On a recent visit to the zoo, Mcdonald noticed visitor walkways in the new African Adventure and in the Sea Lion Cove exhibit constructed with decomposed granite. This seemed to be causing difficulties for visitors with strollers and wheelchairs, as well as for visitors with certain types of shoes.
After discussions with zoo management, it was determined that paving these walkways with an attractive stamped concrete pattern would be a significant and welcome improvement. As there was no designated funding available for this project, Mcdonald offered to make this generous donation.
The new paving project also includes currently unpaved visitor walkways in the bird aviary and near the Administration Building.
Construction is scheduled to begin as soon as possible, with planned completion before winter.
“I am very pleased to see this happen,” said Mcdonald. “All zoo visitors will notice and appreciate this significant improvement.”
Fresno Chaffee Zoo came from near closure to now becoming one of the premier zoos in the entire nation with nearly a million annual visitors.
“We are most grateful for this terrific donation,” said Scott Barton, Fresno Chaffee Zoo CEO. “All zoo visitors will enjoy these new walkways. Mr. Mcdonald’s continuing support for Fresno Chaffee Zoo is greatly appreciated.”
Mcdonald was the Chairman of the original Measure “Z” campaign in 2004 and was also an advisor and major contributor to the second successful Measure “Z” campaign in 2014.
Mcdonald is the former CEO of Pelco, which is headquartered in Clovis. He is now retired and owns Mcdonald Aviation, LLC, a worldwide aircraft charter business.