COURT HOUSE – A dreary, incessantly rainy Aug. 15 drove swarms of visitors to the Cape May County Zoo, all looking for a respite from the eternal question when precipitation hits the shore: what to do?
People of all ages and levels of mobility streamed into the zoo on two legs, in coaches and strollers, in wheelchairs and using canes. While the literary-minded might go to the local library to wile away the day or the energetic go for a long run on a soggy boardwalk, for these visitors the zoo was a magnet.
“This is such a family-friendly place, and it’s wonderful that it’s free. We make a donation of course because we really enjoy coming here. I brought my children here every year when we stay for a week in Ocean City, and now my daughters are here with their children, my grandchildren,” said Rebecca Miller of Abington, Pa.
Russ Geiser was working the zoo’s main entrance collecting donations.
“Today is busy, but we’ve been really, really busy throughout this summer. Even on some of the hot days. Unless it’s really pouring we expect crowds even larger than today, and we are used to handling them,” he said.
While some grumbling was heard about closed parking lots and having to walk a distance from available parking to the zoo, there was a festive mood among the very tiny being pushed by parents and the elderly being pushed in wheelchairs by their children.
“We love coming to Cape May County, who wouldn’t?” Laura Arnao asked rhetorically.
She was visiting the zoo with her daughter, Julie Fernandes, son-in-law, Justin Fernandes and granddaughter Gabrielle from Brooklyn, N.Y. “I’ve been bringing Julie here since she was small. With the Victorian houses in Cape May, the great beaches in Wildwood and all that there is to do here, we look forward to the week we spend very much all year long,” she continued.
Zoo staff said they were pleasantly surprised at the increase in visitors this year especially even when the weather has been nice. “We’re thinking that word of mouth is really playing a part. People come; they enjoy it so much and tell everyone. We’ve become more popular, and we’re really thrilled about that. And we’ve been publicizing our exhibits more,” said Kim Hamer, zoo administrative assistant, who has worked for Cape May County for 26 years. “If you go to the Philadelphia Zoo, you have to pay even for parking let alone admission, and that can really add up. Here, it’s a beautiful place, and everything is free.”
Diane Alexander and George Marcy were taking a much-needed break from the heat and humidity heightened by their work in the kitchen of the zoo’s snack bar.
“We are selling lots of hot dogs and chicken nuggets, and of course loads of ice cream as well. It’s great to see so many people and everyone having a good time,” said Marcy who has worked at the snack bar since 1992.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.
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