ARCHIVE LIBRARY

AROUND THE STATE: LOUISIANA PURCHASE GARDENS AND ZOO

by Jeanni Ritchie

I’m on a personal #zootouracrossAmerica. It wasn’t planned; I just found myself looking for zoos when I’d travel. I’d also begun a trivia night trek, which I promptly abandoned when I’d discovered I was, indeed, not smarter than a fifth grader. 

But I vibed with zoo animals. 

There’s something so majestic about God’s creatures and yet so simplistic as well. Some days, when nothing else made sense, a trip to a zoo made me feel normal again. 

I realize the absurdity of that statement. 

A couple of weeks ago I gave my testimony at a church in Monroe. I decided to visit the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo before I went home. I hadn’t been since childhood and my visit was free due to the Friends of the Alexandria Zoo’s reciprocal list. My FOTAZ membership has gotten me in zoos across the country with free or discounted admission. 

I had a blast! Even a ten-minute downpour did nothing to dampen my spirits. I visited bears, tigers, coyotes, warthogs, kinkajous, monkeys, hippos, deer, zebras, and gibbons. 

I rode the train; I fed the birds in the Budgie Aviary. I encountered an angry, stubborn goat in the petting zoo that was like looking in a mirror from not too long ago! 

Even farther back in my memories was my trip through the Boy Scout’s greenhouse of lush plants in the zoo. My mind was instantly transported to my Grandaddy’s backyard in Baton Rouge. He spent hours in his garden and greenhouse. I had kids of my own before I realized that he’d been an engineer for Exxon (then Esso) before I was born. I’d thought he’d just always worked in his yard!

My absolute favorite part of the Monroe Zoo visit was the Safari boat ride. The guided tour took us past several islands and animal enclosures, many not accessible by foot paths. The guide was knowledgeable and funny, and made the experience truly delightful. 

It was a fun day! The zoo is well worth the drive. There is a playground next to a large splash pad as well. Concessions are available along with souvenirs in the gift shop. 

Check out Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo at www.monroezoo.org and make plans to visit. 

The zoo is located at 1405 Bernstein Park Road, Monroe, LA. It is open 7 days a week, 10 AM-5 PM. 

Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist who plans to compile her across-the-country zoo visits into a full-length story when she reaches 100! Next up is Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo and Mammoth Onyx Cave in Horse Cave, KY. Share your zoo recs at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com

 

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