franklin park zoo or roger williams zoo???

[mtemm]

which one do you prefer? why?

 

[tiggger1]

I enjoy both but I like RWPZ better. Unfortunetly they are doing major renovations there and there is a ton of stuff not open. Luckly the day we went it was no one there but the outdoor giraffe/elephant area was closed, the took the polor bears away, the enter pond walk was shut down, you couldnt got to bird building because it was close and they had barriers up around alot of the animals, so you couldnt see them close only from a distance ( wolfs, buffalo, a a few others)

Itll be great when its done though, they are adding a children's zoo, a conservation area and more exhibits. But it wont be done will 2010 I believe, anyone going to the zoo on father's day for the reviel of the baby giraffe's name?

 

[DawnCt1]

which one do you prefer? why?

I have fond memories of the Franklin Park Zoo but for the 'wrong' reasons.
When I was around 4 or 5 years old, my mother walked me and my three friends, (5,6 and a 7 year old) to the Ellis Memorial from West Canton St. in Boston, where we lived. We were to be on a supervised bus trip. After we got on the bus, we noticed that it was mostly "boys". We snuck off of the bus, took our dollar and rode the streetcar for a nickel, from Tremont St to the Boston Commons, then to the Charles St. pool and ended up at the Franklin Park Zoo where we spent our last bit of change on peanuts for the pigeons! We had to walk home. It was almost dark when we got there and the Boston Police were at my house! We had quite an adventure. My friend Suzy was "older" being 7 years old so we thought we were in good hands.

 

[froglady]

I'm a bit biased, as I was a Docent at RWP Zoo in the late 70s, and DM was one in the mid 80s. I was around for the FIRST round of renovations (updating from circa 1950s exhibits, and older - some MUCH older), so can imagine what a mess it is now.

 

[cepmom]

I was just going to post that I prefer Roger Williams better too...Franklin Park is a good zoo also, but I prefer to go to RW. We like to go over to the carousal after we're done at the zoo and have lunch. It's a nice day trip. I am so bummed about all the contruction going on now though! I was planning on going there in a couple of weeks.

DD just spent an overnight at Franklin Park Zoo last weekend with Girl Scouts...they got to sleep in the gorilla building!

Southwick Zoo in Mendon is pretty good too...not as good as RW or FP but it's a nice change of pace. DD's like the deer forest there...you get to enter a big, fenced in "forest" area and walk around with the deer. The deer are pretty tame and will let you pet them and you can feed them too.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

I have fond memories of the Franklin Park Zoo but for the 'wrong' reasons.
When I was around 4 or 5 years old, my mother walked me and my three friends, (5,6 and a 7 year old) to the Ellis Memorial from West Canton St. in Boston, where we lived. We were to be on a supervised bus trip. After we got on the bus, we noticed that it was mostly "boys". We snuck off of the bus, took our dollar and rode the streetcar for a nickel, from Tremont St to the Boston Commons, then to the Charles St. pool and ended up at the Franklin Park Zoo where we spent our last bit of change on peanuts for the pigeons! We had to walk home. It was almost dark when we got there and the Boston Police were at my house! We had quite an adventure. My friend Suzy was "older" being 7 years old so we thought we were in good hands.

That is hysterical! OMG, can you imagine, you could've been an AMBER ALERT!

Nowadays, you probably wouldn't take that walk as safely!

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

I like both zoos. Last time I was at RW it had seemed to decline a bit, maybe that's what the renovations are about. FP is about 10 minutes from my house. They have been working on improving their exhibits for several years, and if you haven't been in a while, you should go. They now have Tigers, and the gorilla exhibit is fantastic. I am glad they have been improving. Either way, you really can't go wrong...kids love zoos!

We also try to go to Southwicks once a year. The kids love it and I love that it is mostly shady!!! In addition to the deer park which someone posted about, there is also opportunity to do pony rides, camel rides, and elephant rides. My kids love the elephant rides! Of course, I make DH go on with them (you won't catch me on a stinky elephant! )
Have fun!

 

[Hedy]

Rodger Williams-it's nicer, there are nice places to picnic. I also like Southwick as well.

 

[DawnCt1]

That is hysterical! OMG, can you imagine, you could've been an AMBER ALERT!

Nowadays, you probably wouldn't take that walk as safely!

I would have been on all three net works. The walk wasn't that safe then either but we were used to playing outside, running in the alley, seeing drunks passed out on the alley steps, the "paddy" wagon going by and picking them up, playing in the middle of the street and getting out of the way to let the occasional cars go by. It wasn't unusual then although it was unusual for kids to leave the neighborhood or "disappear". I remember a car stopping on my street when I was walking home from the corner store telling me to "get in". I ran to my house and locked the door. My parents worked but my grandmother took care of me during the day. Now that I am thinking about it, she didn't do a very good job. In retrospect, I don't think my parents knew how irresponsible she was and I definately wouldn't have let her watch my kids.

 

[Crankyshank]

I'm a zoo member at RWPZ so I prefer it better. I haven't been in a month, but I've been told that it is easier to see the wolves, giraffes, and elephants now since it's summer and their busy season and those are among the most popular attractions.
They just had a baby giraffe too

We always pack a nice picnic lunch and enjoy the park after going to the zoo.

 

[momrek06]

I have lived in MA most of my life. Grew up in Needham and am almost ashamed to say I have never been to FPZ and now I live in Central MA and have never been to SZ but with no ties to RI (other than both my DS' attend PC) I have been to RWPZ and think that it is awesome!!!!

I remember years ago RWPZ had a fabulous DINOSAUR exhibit and we took our DS' (much younger at the time) to the exhibit many times!!

 

[JennyMominRI]

RWP, But then Ed works across the street from it and we are about 7 minutes away from it

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I like both but am more likely to go to FPZ because it's closer.