SWAINTON – A five-car electric train for children will zigzag on an almost one-mile path just west of the county zoo, probably starting next month.
The fund-raising project of the county Zoological Society will cost a $2 donation.
Cape Savings Bank reportedly will purchase the train for about $60,000 and donate it to the society that, in turn, gives all its profits to the zoo.
Freeholders last week okayed a licensing agreement with the society that covers the “zoo train,” a giraffe feeding station, and “various additional programs,” still undetermined.
That agreement, county Administrator Steve O’Connor told this newspaper, is primarily to cover insurance.
South Dennis environmentalist Ruth Fisher, who doesn’t like zoos, said the train would be “just another rinky-dink operation (which) doesn’t belong in a zoo.”
She said it was “ill-conceived and teaches nobody any worthwhile lessons.”
O’Connor told this newspaper the train will carry about 18 children along a path that hopefully will feature landscaping designed to attract various species of birds and butterflies, a project in which the Audubon Society is involved.
A society volunteer or employe will drive the train and point out the environmental attractions.
The giraffe feeding station, O’Connor said, is awaiting an architect’s design. It will provide for an extension on the boardwalk in the African Savanna and the public will be able to feed the giraffes, with food from a vending machine.
Contact Zelnik at (609) 886-8600 Ext. 27 or: jzelnik@cmcherald.com
