Krug Park sign worn over time. Photo by Nadia Thacker
The condition of Krug Park’s animal exhibit is causing concern for citizens and council members.
“It’s so eroded from the years that it’s inhabitable,” said Donna Healey a visitor at Krug Park. “They just have a path they can walk and they’ve outgrown the area. They get to the top and walk and they sink down in in the rain and the tree roots, it’s just a matter of time before one gets hurt.”
City Councilmember Pat Jones said the city hopes to find new homes for the animals.
“There are certain procedures,” Jones said. “We have to go through paperwork to get this done.”
Former Parks Director Bill McKinney started the North American Native Animal Exhibit featuring buffalo, deer and longhorn cattle two decades ago. Healey said she remembers when it first opened.
“It was fresh, modern, new, clean,” Healey said. “It was great but it’s just run down.”
Jones said it’s time to end the exhibit.
“Maybe not as soon as what you want,” Jones said. “We are trying and by the time, Maybe in July we’ll be able to talk more to the public about what we can get done with those.”
Healey said she has talked with several City Officials about other possible locations for the exhibit. One location included ground near the Remington Nature Center. However, regardless of where she said the animals need to have a different home as soon as possible.
“Anyplace else in town this would be shutdown,” she said. “Their small cramped living conditions are horrible. Feces ridden, no grass, overgrowth, weak fencing or if not fallen down close.”
Jones the issues surrounding the exhibit came from multiple individuals. However, she said fixing the situation will take some time.
Jones says she expects the City Council to hear from the public about the animal exhibit at the next Council meeting Monday, June 8 at 7 p.m. Healey said she plans to express her concerns and is asking others to do the same.