Miller Park Zoo - Bloomington (IL)

5 /5 The Hat Man: A wonderfully charming small zoo near Illinois State University. Most importantly it is a accredited zoo with its employees being unionized. So that you know that the animals are cared for in the best way and so are the employees. Considering the size of the zoo they have a good variety of animals and the enclosures are well-maintained. Its the type of zoo you could go to with your kids spend about an hour or so and get a good quality zoo visit without breaking the bank.

5 /5 Katherine Skarbek Enders: The zoo is small, sure, but it’s a wonderful place where kids (and adults) can learn so much. Some very interesting animals and exhibits. Huge shoutout to Mr. Jeff who entertained about 20 3-5 year olds for 30 minutes introducing them to 3 different animals and answering all of their questions. He was wonderful and explained things in a way they could understand. We’re lucky to have a zoo in our small city.

3 /5 Ashley Anderson-Reghi: This was a cute, on-the-smaller-side kind of zoo, but it was a great size for our 2 year old. There were 2 events going on: the beginning stage of a chalk drawing competition and that was pretty neat to see competitors drawing throughout the zoo. The second event was an endangered species game where you write down any animals that have an endangered animal poster hanging up nearby and you get a prize for turning them all in. It was a fun and easy extra interaction to do with our toddler. The downside to the chalk drawing competition was that some of the pads were blocked and at times, walkways were getting congested while trying to walk around and avoid stepping on the drawings as they were being drawn. They had a really cute carousel that was closed for the season as they do some much-needed repairs, but it was still a bummer our son couldnt ride it. Despite the scorching heat (upwards of 90°), most animals were still out and visible! Only 4 or so exhibits were empty. We had a wagon we were rolling around with us and all together, saw the entire zoo and probably about an hour and a half. It was pretty well kept and clean, so thats always a plus. We drove from over an hour away to check this zoo out, but we likely will only come back if they have a major event like specialized classes, Halloween party, etc. There was a decent variety of animals for a zoo of this size, but we live too far away to justify making the drive when we have other zoos available that are closer to where we live.

1 /5 Briana Jackson: Todays experience it. This zoo was beyond depressing. Me 30 minutes from the zoo so this was my childhood. There used to be sea lions, sun bears, tigers, multiple snow leopards big monkeys, little monkeys a butterfly walkthrough in the science lab. There used to be coloring pages there used to be. You know carousel was open. The petting zoo would be open. Today none of that. The weather is nice. Its warm outside. Its 80°. Go turn out. You cant feed them. Its $0.50 to feed them and you get six pellets of goat food for $0.50. that doesnt feed one goat. Thats the way you get a kid knocked over. Trust me I would know I was knocked over by goats at the fedings. I would know I was the kid that got knocked over by goats while feeding them as a child. There used to be sea lions and multiple day feedings. Today theres a sad alligator a green Kool-Aid looking pool. Fighting otters. A tiger thats under medical observation that has a sign on the outside of its enclosure that says tiger exhibit open now. We spent over $30. You dont get a discount for someone whos clearly still a child but if they dont have a school ID with them it doesnt count. For reference a 13-year-old. Not all schools do school IDs. But beyond everything I left this visit feeling depressed. I felt bad for the animals they were there because they didnt seem cared for. I felt bad for the kids because that wasnt what that zoo used to be. It used to be an experience. Its not even about the money. Its about the fact that the animals look sad. I felt sad. The kids felt sad. Thats not the way you should leave that zoo feeling. Thats not the legacy that Sue should have. And how do you get volunteers? What are you volunteering for? Because the animals arent out theyre not engaged. They dont even look happy themselves. Not engaged. They dont even look happy themselves I know its about change and conservation but if you cant afford to keep the animals and the attractions open, why are you open.