An upcoming Detroit Zoo exhibit will be a spot for families to experience animals and nature in an entirely new, immersive way. Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trails is planning its grand opening for May 23.
The Discovery Trails has been in active construction for a couple of years. However, zoo staff first conceived the idea about six and a half years ago by conceptualizing what the space would offer guests.
“It’s been really exciting to see how the project has evolved over the years,” says Emily Crichton O’Hara, Senior Director of Guest Experience at the Detroit Zoo. “It gave us a lot of opportunities to look to guests for what they wanted and what they needed, and also to look toward the future of the Detroit Zoo.”
What to Expect at the Discovery Trails
The exhibit will feature multiple attractions, including the Goat Encounter Yard, Treetop Crossing, and the Senses Trail. Most attractions are included with zoo admission, but a couple require an additional fee: the Stingray Cove & Feed and the Wild Explorer VR experience, according to the Detroit Zoo’s website.
The trails will be home to a multitude of animals. Among these animals are bush dogs, burrowing owls, bamboo sharks, chickens, giant anteaters, stingrays, prairie dogs, domestic goats, alpacas, and miniature donkeys. These animals are either new and newly returning to the zoo.
Zoo-goers will also have the opportunity to rent out spaces in the trails for birthday parties, receptions, and corporate events.
With the purchase of a Stingray Cove ticket, guests will be able to pet and feed the stingrays under staff supervision. This will be the first time the zoo has had stingrays in over eight years.
“I think it’s going to be a great, exciting space built for animal welfare,” O’Hara says. “But we also have so many hands-on, engaging opportunities.”
Hands-on activities include the play Farmers Market, where kids can learn how produce goes from farm to plate. There’s also the Garden Grove, where guests can stroll through the gardens and learn all about plants along the way.
“We really wanted to pair both that play aspect with connecting animals and the natural world,” she says.
Throughout the trails are paved, ADA-compatible pathways, as well as ADA-compatible stalls in the restrooms. There are also designated quiet spaces throughout the area. Additionally, the zoo offers sensory bags, wheelchair loans, social narratives, and other resources to ensure a pleasant visit for all guests.
Hours for the Discovery Trails
The trails will be open during regular zoo hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week. For more information, visit detroitzoo.org/discovery-trails.
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