The Dundee Township Park District is planning a $1M expansion for Randall Oaks Zoo that will make the facility open to the public year-round.
A new building to be erected on the far south side of the property at 1180 N. Randall Road will allow some animals to be viewed during the winter months, when then zoo has traditionally been closed and the animals moved into the on-site barn, Executive Director Dave Peterson said.
The zoo opens for the season on March 26, and will remain open daily through the end of November. It then switches to weekends only until later December, when it closes completely for the winter months. [Most read] Michael Madigan case a study of how Illinois’ cozy politics morphs into alleged crimeThe bulk of the expense of adding the new building will be covered by a $750,000 grant from Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The district’s share is about $264,000, Peterson said.
“There really hasn’t been any added amenities to that zoo facility ever since I was a kid in the ‘80s,” Peterson said. “It’s really nice to be able to add an exhibit.”