1998 - City pursues Six Flags, park officials stay mum

[copperfiend]

The Jax Zoo is nice for it's size but leaves a lot to be desired if you visit zoos of smaller or similar size cities.

[Shwaz]

my choice would be across the parkway in the edge of the old Imeson Airport property. There is even a natural lake just a block or so east and north of the zoo. If a ride park were developed in this area, swooping over the lake might be a real thrill. Moreover the train could tie it all together.

Brilliant idea

[subro]

The Jax Zoo is nice for it's size but leaves a lot to be desired if you visit zoos of smaller or similar size cities.

I disagree that the Jax Zoo leaves a lot to be desired when compared to Zoos at smaller cities. I have been a member of the Zoo for the last four years and have found it to be one of the few standouts in Jacksonville attractions that my family attends since moving here in 2001. I have also been pleased that unlike most other attractions, it continues to work on improving itself. In the last few years alone, it has added:

Savannah Blooms â€" Botanical Gardens
Giraffe Overlook and Feeding platform
Range of the Jaguar
Trout River Plaza
A large playground and water/splash park
Asian themed section (currently under construction)

Whenever we have guests visit from out of town, we take them to the zoo and it is one of the more enjoyable things to do here for families with or without kids. I firmly believe that our Zoo is one of the things that we should be proud of and applaud for actually completing construction projects and not just planning them.

(gets off soapbox…)

[Jason]

Hmmm, the only thing I don't like about that idea is the surrouding industrial properties would be an eyesore.

How about the parcel of land at the norththeast intersection of I95 and Airport road between I95 and Main across from the new River City Marketplace?  There is huge potential because of the size of the property, proximity to the airport, highway, rail line, and shopping.  Not to mention the surroundings are not industrial and would better support an enhanced commercial corridor along Main Street as well as the built-in hospitality already existing at the airport and River City Marketplace.

[Ocklawaha]

Jason the only problem with ANY location North of downtown, and 295 South as prefered, is that you miss all of the tourist auto traffic from the upper midwest to the east coast of Florida. Everyone coming down I-75 to I-10 and hence I-95 and/or I-295 South, would completely miss the northside of town.

Civil, yes I remember the roller coaster well. It was what one would find in the small kiddie part of the Fair.
We also had several other rides, Tilt-a-whirl, a kiddie helicopter ride, ferris wheel, mini railroad and carousel.

You might recall that even in those days, the animals were in the front or north end of the zoo, then the various service buildings, then the railroad and amusement park rides. Not one of those rides would even attract a teen or young adult today. I think the coasters they are talking about are those giant killers seen in the huge theme parks.

OCKLAWAHA

[civil42806]

Jason the only problem with ANY location North of downtown, and 295 South as prefered, is that you miss all of the tourist auto traffic from the upper midwest to the east coast of Florida. Everyone coming down I-75 to I-10 and hence I-95 and/or I-295 South, would completely miss the northside of town.

Civil, yes I remember the roller coaster well. It was what one would find in the small kiddie part of the Fair.
We also had several other rides, Tilt-a-whirl, a kiddie helicopter ride, ferris wheel, mini railroad and carousel.

You might recall that even in those days, the animals were in the front or north end of the zoo, then the various service buildings, then the railroad and amusement park rides. Not one of those rides would even attract a teen or young adult today. I think the coasters they are talking about are those giant killers seen in the huge theme parks.

OCKLAWAHA

Never meant to imply that Ock, was just wondering If I was the only one that remebered that tiny old rollercoast.  And I agree completely undesireable for a zoo.

[Coolyfett]

I like the zoo idea better...I think it's got more novelty to it.

I still remember when I was in grade school, and my friend said her dad was opening up a new park that would be called adventure landing, and it would be a lot of fun and we should all go. He must've been part of the ownership group. Although it's been bought out since, glad to see it keeps expanding. Her family is probably rich. A lot of kids at that private school were rich. I was one of the token minorities...

Thats a cool story Pro Max...I remember they used to be Putt Putt Golf...it was just video games, mini golf & Go Carts...then Adventure landing added the Laser tag & Water Rides. It would be cool for Jacksonville to have its own exclusive park to call its own.