What should be done with the old Nay Aug Zoo? (Scranton: how much, tile)

[scrantonluna]

Originally Posted by to570717

Keep the building, total re haul it and make it a visitors center or some type of central hub for the park where you can get sodas and burgers or something like that.

I don't know what the land grant for the park entails, but I would have to think that there must be some restriction on commercial development. That probably means no restaurants.

Shookys already has the concessions near the pool, and I doubt demand requires that you would need two vendors in such a small park.

Vending machines would be a good fit, though.

[mbs7]

Originally Posted by scrantonluna

It's the visitor's center from Jurassic Park, thought some might find it ironic. Weluv would have a coronary if they put solid gold doors on the old zoo. Haha.

Should've recognized it. Anyway, I've always thought that Nay Aug Park could use a T. rex or two.

[scrantonluna]

They could certainly get a concrete one made up - what does a full size cement elephant cost? No reason you can't play up the zoo thing.

In case it's not obvious, my vote is for the visitor's center/comfort station. I'd have to think that modern bathrooms, complete with changing tables, would be a godsend to any mothers with young children.

[mbs7]

Originally Posted by scrantonluna

They could certainly get a concrete one made up - what does a full size cement elephant cost? No reason you can't play up the zoo thing.

In case it's not obvious, my vote is for the visitor's center/comfort station. I'd have to think that modern bathrooms, complete with changing tables, would be a godsend to any mothers with young children.

I think that modern bathrooms would also be great for anyone who is walking or jogging or running in the park. And it would be nice to have somewhere to get a cool drink, too--from a water fountain or a vending machine.

(BTW, was that a concrete T. rex you were suggesting? That just doesn't work for me--it's gotta be the real thing or no T. rex at all. There's just no substitute for a good T. rex--particularly if the T. rex is on your side. )

[scrantonluna]

[mbs7]

Nice try, but no dice. Sorry.

[scrantonluna]

Originally Posted by mbs7

Nice try, but no dice. Sorry.

Haha, well, you're about 65 million years too late.

Seriously though, you might as well leave the outdoor cages and play them up - a couple concrete monkeys and an elephant. As for the interior, I would gut it all, and install lockers along the walls with benches in the center, and restrooms on the ends. It would make a nice, functional addition to the park. You really do need facilities in that area, considering the lower playground, tree house, and grove are all in the vicinity - far as I know the nearest bathrooms are on the other side of the pool.

It should technically already be ADA compliant since it's open to the public as it is now.
Heck, there might even be grant money available for something like this.

[blip]

Originally Posted by scrantonluna

Seriously though, you might as well leave the outdoor cages and play them up - a couple concrete monkeys and an elephant.

Haha, that kinda jives with Go Phil's Alcatraz vision for the place.

I voted leave it vacant-- seems like enough dough has been put into Nay Aug for now, but I wouldn't want to hastily knock it down. So why not punt the decision on what to do for 5 or 10 years. Then decide on options 2-6 (1 seems too costly) when there's a better sense of how we come out of this recession, etc.

[weluvpa]

Originally Posted by scrantonluna

That's right, I forgot your grandfather volunteered at the park years ago.

As long as the difference in cost is minimal, the historian in me says rework the existing structure. We've lost enough history in NEPA.

Also, I'd be willing to bet that you'd have a hard time knocking that sucker down - it's solid concrete.

My grandfather was Director of Parks and Recreation under Scmidt.

Ever drive a D-9, it would eat that place alive and have it leveled in under 5 hours.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by blip

So why not punt the decision on what to do for 5 or 10 years.

You mean like everything else in the city of Scranton?!