Niabi Zoo Reopens To The Public Saturday
As Illinois begins Phase 4 of the Illinois reopening plan today, more businesses will begin to reopen across the entire state. One of those businesses include the Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley.
Today (Friday, June 26th), Illinois begins Phase 4 of their reopening plan. This allows businesses like the Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley to reopen. According to the Niabi Zoo's website, they will actually reopen today to members only. The zoo will be open to the public tomorrow (Saturday, June 27th).
Just like every other business across the country that is reopening, the Niabi Zoo will also have procedures and safety policies put into place.
According to the zoo's website, they will be open seven days a week. To make sure they follow all capacity requirements, every guest, which includes Niabi members and Zooseum pass holders, must reserve their tickets prior to visiting the Niabi Zoo. The Niabi Zoo has two times every day for guests to pick to come visit the zoo. Those two time slots are:
- 9 a.m. – noon (last entry at 11 a.m.)
- Noon – 3 p.m. (last entry at 2 p.m.)
Guests much purchase their parking spot in advance. Purchasing of a parking space can be done online. This will assist staff in better monitoring capacity limits and reduce touch points.
The Niabi Zoo also gave a list of things that are reopened and things that will remain closed for the time being. Things that will be open during a visit include:
- Most outdoor animal exhibits
- Closed exhibits listed below
- Festival lawn
- Primary concession stand
- Hours 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Limited to prepackaged food and beverages
- Primary gift shop
- Capacity: 12
- Koi deck
- Koi feed must be purchased online in advance
- Scooter, stroller and wheelchair rental
- Indoor exhibits at Biodiversity Hall, reptile house, indoor giraffe/African primates building, and the admin building exhibit (previously Oceans)
- Animal feeding areas
- Budgie, giraffe and domestic animal feedings
- Rides, including train and carousel
- Face painting stations
- Gift shop located in the Biodiversity Hall
- Playground
- Rear concession stand
- Water fountains
- ATM machine
- Events and gatherings (
- Zookeeper Chats, camps, private animal encounters, etc.
The Niabi Zoo gave a full list of things they are doing to keep people safe and healthy, and things guests can do to assist them with that goal. You can find those on their website.