All roads lead to … the zoo

Zoo traffic on Park Place
This is a good eight blocks or more from the zoo entrance.
Photo courtesy Amy Allibon.

Those of us who have lived in Fort Worth’s Berkeley neighborhood for a year or more (in two separate stretches, I’ve been here thirty-two years) know to hunker down on the Wednesday during spring break. That’s half-price day at the Fort Worth Zoo, and the neighborhood becomes, well … a zoo. Today, we saw the worst traffic congestion we have ever seen.

All roads in and out of Berkeley—Forest Park, 8^th Avenue, etc.—were backed up as were side streets within the neighborhood. We were beleaguered, unable to leave our homes. The worst was that first responders would have been unable to reach us in case of medical emergency or fire. And some frustrated drivers became careless—I heard several reports of people driving on the wrong side of the street to circumvent long waiting lines. I know there was a steady, slow procession of cars on my street—the thoroughfare that leads directly to the zoo. I wondered how much fun the zoo would be if you had to sit in your car for a couple of hours to get there, and then half the city was shouldering in front of you for a glimpse of the lions—or a turn at the Port-a-Potty.

Balancing those who worried about danger were those who thought it was wonderful to see so many people enjoying our great zoo and to think of families having this outing together, many of whom might not have been able to afford full price. When some people said “Just wait and pay full price,” one neighbor pointed out rightly this was an equity day—a chance for some to enjoy a privilege most of us take for granted. In my memory, zoo admission was free. Today it is $16 for adults and $12 for children, with a higher discount for toddlers.

Complaints flew on our neighborhood listserv, and everybody had a suggestion which ranged from it’s no big deal to who should have planned this. Our Berkeley Place Association president, Amy Allibon, got a lot of undeserved flack. She met with a police officer newly assigned to traffic control at such events. He assured her, “We got this” and, she implies, was a bit misogynistic in his attitude. She surmises he learned a lesson today.

Several good suggestions came out of today’s pandemonium, and I’m sure they will be addressed in coming days as we—and we hope the city and the zoo—plan ahead for summer half-price days and the dreaded spring break day in  2023. It did make an interesting day in which I got little done except reading emails.

A bit of history: The zoo opened in 1909 with one lion, two bear cubs, an alligator, a coyote, a peacock, and a few rabbits. The zoo now is home to 7,000 native and exotic animals, representing 542 species, and covers 64 acres. Active in worldwide conservation and education programs, the Fort Worth Zoo also offers classes and events members of the association and local children.

I’m all for supporting the zoo and encouraging everyone in Fort Worth to visit it. Time was when my kids, grandkids, and I made an annual all-day trip. We could walk from my house, and it was a highlight of the year for us. The grandkids, now all at least in their teens, are too busy these days, and I can’t do the required walking, so that’s another memory to treasure. I want to share that memory with other families, and I want them to have the joy of a day at the zoo. But I also want to feel safe in my neighborhood and able to go about my day without being blocked by traffic. I’m sure there’s an equitable solution, but it will take neighborhood association, zoo officials, and police working together.