Lynnwood Park Zoo — Attraction in Jacksonville

My family really enjoyed our visit today with one major exception. My daughter and I have a genetic condition that makes us majorly immune compromised. We have quarantined since Covid except for appts and grocery shopping when needed. My husband and I felt that we could use a family outing since we have barely left the house in a year and a half. We felt that Lynwood Park Zoo would be a good option since it’s an outdoor activity, and there aren’t usually crowds. We had a great time, and enjoyed the zoo. We opted to not wear masks as we were outdoors, and there was hardly a soul there. As we were leaving, an employee called us over and asked if the kids wanted to pet some animals. I reminded the kids that they needed to keep a distance from the other people.

I thought it would be a quick thing then we’d leave. I think it was great that the lady took so much time to talk to the kids about the animals. What ended up really bothering me was how close she got to the kids faces to talk, and that she wasn’t wearing a mask in doing so. She’s the one that does this regularly. If she knew she’d be in close contact, especially with small children who can’t be vaccinated yet, why not wear a mask? Why is this allowed? She ended up speaking to my kids like a foot from their faces. I didn’t know what to do. They were so enjoying the animals, but yet here is this employee endangering their lives being right up in their faces maskless. I should have pulled them away as I look back on jt. My oldest daughter could die if she contacts Covid, and she home schools because as she’s high risk, and how is this ok? We thought Lynwood Zoo would be safe, but it wasn’t. It ended up ruining my time, as I worried about the close contact and wondered why do the owners allow the endangerment of...

I wanted to love this place so much!! It is such a good concept, but unfortunately it was so poorly executed. While the staff was seriously so nice and inviting! The conditions that the animals were in were highly disappointing. I did not see one animal that had a suitable habitat. The alligator had a very small pool of water, he does not even fit in it. The monkeys were in small cages each had a few colored balls in it, nothing in the form of enrichment. Nothing for them to swing from and they honestly all just looked so sad. The snakes did not have anywhere near the proper set ups. All on wood chips, no enrichment, every snake had the same standard set up…even tho some require a different environment. A lot of the fences were broken and most places looked like they would fall over with the smallest breeze. Not once during our visit did we see any employees attending to any of the animals. Even though they have signs throughout the zoo talking about the importance of the interaction between caretakers and animals. The only time we encountered an employee of the zoo was when we paid and when we got to the area that is roped of for employees only. I will say again…every employee we did see was so friendly and full of information about the animals. But it all felt like “blowing smoke” when you hear the wealth of knowledge and then view the conditions the animals were kept in. They basically talk a big game but do not follow up with proper care and living conditions for the animals. Which in my opinion should be the most important aspect of a “zoo”. ...

The zoo is located on a nice piece of property that is 10 acres and has over a hundred animals they do not except credit cards cash and check only. They sell bags of corn feed in case you wish to feed some animals. They are well cared for you can see that from the way the park is up kept. You want to eat lunch yet they have picnic tables Plus there is hand sanitizer bottles throughout the park especially at the show and tell area which you can also touch if you wish but only certain animals. The park is also handicap accessible dirt paths. You are welcome bring your own lunch and enjoy a picnic table by the large pond or you can hold the party doing the tour date. I visit the park often as I enjoy spending time with animals. The owner and his volunteers are very friendly and very knowledgeable of animals which they feed every morning and evening besides what they get during the day from the many guest. They have some animals have been injured not releasable. They are open to the public Friday Saturday Sunday Monday. Open for tour groups scheduled on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and some Thursdays. During the springtime the great time to visit as that's when babies are born. One thing I forgot on my first visit but I don't forget since then bring me a camera and some bottled water. oh yes don't forget your suntan lotion cuz you could spend a long time out there and not realize you got burnt till...