Celebrating the Wonders of our Natural World...






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  • RendezooRendezoo

    June 8 (Friday), 7:00 – 11:00 pm

    This casual outdoor fundraising event has been dubbed the “best party in town” and this year will be no exception!  Be one of the first to enjoy the all new Idema Forest Realm, funicular (tram), and the new Bissell Tree House.  Dance to the high energy sounds of the Sun Messengers, cash bar, gourmet food stations provided by the area’s top caterers, and – as always – a chance to be in the Zoo in the evening!  Tickets are $75 (available online here) or $150 for special pre-VIP party.  Call (616)336-3036.

    spider monkeyOpening SAT - MAY 12 

    Introducing the all new, spectacular, front entrance, Gifts of the Wild Gift Shop! 

    The new gift shop is FOUR TIMES larger than the previous shop, and that means you’ll have FOUR TIMES the shopping to do!!!  

    There's a  "perfectly pink" section for those little girls that are all girl and a dinosaur section for the boys! Moms - there's a good selection of jewelry, watches and home decor! And what ZOO gift shop is complete without souvenir t-shirts, hats, and mementos? 

    raysIt is the start of Summer!

    Opening SATURDAY - May 12: 

    Stingray Lagoon - Touchable stingrays and sharks.
    Red's Hobby Farm - Petting Corral with the three (big) pigs, cow, sheep and goats!.
    Zip Line – 400 feet of screaming fun.
    Ropes Course  - 4 stories of high climbing rope obstacles.
    Swan Boats - Paddle around the park pond.
    Far Side of the World Trail!  Featuring the Walk through Wallabies- Lemurs - exotic birds - a pirate's raft and the train to climb on.

    SD photoSummer Discovery Registration

    John Ball Zoo Summer Day Camp Click here to learn more or to register.

     

     

     

     

     

    Media Featuring John Ball Zoo

    Membership TV Ad.
    "Training Their Dragons", by Central Michigan film student Sonya Petrakovitz.
    Winter Journal Archive
    "Walk Through Wednesdays", winter '09-'10 video clips.
    "Lion enrichment", 2009 Zoo Goes Boo.
    "An Inside Look at John Ball Zoo" with Brenda Stringer, Executive Director, John Ball Zoo Society.
    Video tour of John Ball Zoo, featuring then Zoo Director Bert Vescolani and produced by Grand Rapids Press.
    Chimp Clip, produced by Grand Rapids Community Media Center.
    Black footed kittens - small but mighty.
    Flickr has a John Ball Zoo Group Pool. Enjoy photos of other visitors.