April 6, 2012
Children’s museums greet thousands of guests each year, and they use a variety of admissions policies and procedures to keep the crowds moving smoothly through their doors. The 10,000-square-foot Amelia Park Children’s Museum in Westfield, Mass., welcomes more than 35,000 guests per year. The museum is currently running 11 interactive exhibits that highlight themes such ...
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April 5, 2012
Zoos are going the extra distance to make their facilities more welcoming to adults. Mixers and after-hours special events are attracting adults to zoos and helping to build memberships, and during the day many zoos are now offering beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages in their restaurants and cafes. The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, ...
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February 16, 2012
Except for the recent press about the Arab Spring revolutions in North Africa, Africa basically remains under the radar. What may be surprising is that six of the fastest growing economies in the world are found in the “forgotten continent” of Africa. The six African Lion economies – Angola, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Chad, Mozambique and Rwanda ...
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February 16, 2012
Delicate and graceful are two words often used to describe butterflies. And finding a balance between maintaining attractions that spotlight these poetic, winged creatures, as well as promoting them, can be a practice in all things Mother Nature. At CuriOdyssey at Coyote Point in San Mateo, Calif., the butterfly garden may not be a major ...
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January 4, 2012
Elephants are the largest living land animal on Earth and one of the most intelligent animals. Sadly, they are also one of the most endangered species. However, a resurgence among zoos to help stabilize the population has helped their cause. Many zoos are seeking to educate the public about how important these animals are and ...
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November 2, 2011
When guests visit zoos, they do not always notice the trees immediately, but when they seek out shelter from the heat or when they enjoy the realistic design of an exhibit, they start to see the important role trees play. As Parks Director for the Cape May County Zoo and Park, in Cape May Court ...
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September 1, 2011
The summer months provide the biggest boon in zoo attendance, but when crippling heat hovers for an extended period of time, zoo directors have to find ways to keep both animals and guests comfortable. The 500-acre North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro, N.C., is the first zoo designed as a natural-habitat facility, which means the ...
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September 1, 2011
Visitors may come to botanic gardens to see some of the finest specimens nature has to offer, but they may also end up staying for the great food being served at these destinations around the country. And while some botanic gardens, like the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University, may not have their own dining facilities, ...
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September 1, 2011
Maintain proper staffing levels. “That is probably the biggest problem that food service operators have,” said Al Zehnder, CEO of Zehnder’s Splash Village in Frankenmuth, Mich. “It’s important to maintain adequate staffing levels, and have a menu design that meets the time expectations of the guests.” Limit menu options. Diana Rodriguez of Calypso Bay Waterpark ...
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September 1, 2011
As concessions manager at Pirate’s Cove Family Fun Aquatic Center in Englewood, Colo., Leslie Boersma has endured some teasing for packing her lunch every day. “People have made fun of me for that,” said Boersma. “But it’s so hard to find something healthy to eat at an amusement park.” After a while, the powers that ...
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