Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. joined Zoo Director Susan Altrui, Patrick O’Sullivan, Executive Director of the Blue and You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas and Taz the penguin to accept a $143,500 donation to the Arkansas Zoological Foundation for the Little Rock Zoo to install a new Nature Play Area.

Nature Play aims to create a better understanding of and appreciation for the natural world by allowing children to interact in a place that encourages creative, unstructured play in an outdoor environment. For example, in such areas a child might find a large replica of a bird’s nest to play on Altrui said.

The new Nature Play Area will be located next to the Penguin Pointe habitat near the Zoo’s front entry. The grant is the second grant the Zoo has received from the Blue and You Foundation who also provided funding for a Sensory Garden last year that will open this March.

The Arkansas Zoological Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) raising funds for the growth and development of the Little Rock Zoo and receives grant funds on behalf of organizations making direct gifts for the Zoo’s benefit. The Blue and You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas was established by and is funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield to promote better health in Arkansas.    

About the Zoo

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things.  With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.  For more information, visit www.aza.org.