A piece of history at The Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is gone. On Friday morning demolition crews tore down the buildings at the Red Barn Park, which first opened in 1966.
In March zoo officials announced the former petting zoo would be replaced with a new public plaza. It will include ten more walk-up concession windows, triple the number of restrooms, an outdoor shaded nursing area for mothers and a play area called Carousel Plaza.
Zoo Director Dennis Pate says they will also add a sweets shop and a ticket booth for the tram, Stingray Beach, the train, Skyfari and the carousel.
Zoo Director Dennis Pate says the new plaza will also include about 500 seats for patrons near the new Alaskan Adventure and Children’s Adventure Trails exhibits.
The new plaza is scheduled to open int he spring of 2019.