MARSHFIELD, WI (WSAU) — Production on a custom-built ‘educational water exhibit’ for Marshfield’s Wildwood Zoo has been approved by the city’s Board of Public Works, and Parks and Rec. Director Justin Casperson says the water display will be part of a new ‘Welcome Center’ for the zoo.
“It’s something you’d probably typically see at a children’s museum,” Casperson said about the water exhibit. “And it’s the water cycle, educating kids – and adults – on the water cycle. So, it’s an interactive water display.”
The $200,000 water display will be custom-built by ‘Boss Display,’ and Casperson says fundraising for the project has reached the 90% mark, but he’s confident the remaining $20,000 will be collected. “So we’re out fundraising for that portion. We have already some contributions from different groups and individuals, but we want to go out and ask more.”
Including the water exhibit, the Welcome Center is expected to have a total price tag of around $700,000 and feature ADA accessible restrooms, an expansive natural-habitat cougar exhibit, and even some small reptiles. “Our focus really is to get a Welcome Center, ADA restrooms, and a better cougar exhibit,” Casperson explained.
Final approval for that project is expected at the next Common Council meeting this Tuesday, and city planners are hoping to see those new additions to the zoo completed by the late summer of 2019.
