and University Ave. Its open 10am - 5pm with a morning session (10am-1pm) and an afternoon session (1:30-5pm). Charging admission is problematic on so many levels. Edward the African spurred tortoise receiving some love, A portrait of Bobby the Raccoon in his habitat. Too bad Palo Alto can't leave its charming little gems alone and think before spending big bucks on the new zoo and the redesign of the nearby playground,. "appreciation capped at something related to CPI, and a requirement to sell the property back to Stanford after 50 years." 1451 Middlefield Road Walk-up tickets are not available. They were an integral part of my son and my activities from the age of 2. I also watched that council meeting and couldn't believe staff's analysis on entrance fees and proposed revenue that would be raised, or how gullible the city council members. The Junior Museum & Zoo prioritizes accessibility and offers several accommodations including audio tours, braille and large-print lettering on maps and labels, adult and child changing tables, a gender-neutral restroom, sign-language interpreters (make sure to request about a week before your visit), and special rooms for nursing mothers or those with sensory sensitivities. like to make a contribution to local community services and get honorable mention. Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo - Yelp It's where you safely have a toddler playdate (which may only last 30 minutes.) Gennady Sheyner covers the City Hall beat in Palo Alto as well as regional politics, with a special focus on housing and transportation. A trip to the Oakland or SF zoo is a day trip once or twice a year. Then they try to defend their endless expansion by claiming "no net new car trips" which is an insult to our intelligence. Engage multiple senses and encourage kinesthetic learning. Express / Weekend Express Home / Programs Programs The Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo provides high-quality science education for kids through afterschool programs, summer camps, classroom lessons, field trips, and more. While the city had projected the museum to recover 65% of its costs through ticket prices and membership purchases, the actual cost recovery level between the museum's opening date of Nov. 12 and the end of June was just 54%. Can we PLEASE elect moderate people to the City Council so we can build true consensus and make reasonable decisions based on mutual respect. Despite some first-year hiccups and underwhelming revenues, Palo Alto officials are in no rush to raise ticket prices to the newly rebuilt Junior Museum and Zoo, a popular Rinconada Park. The assessor creates a much higher assessed value that is the basis for taxes paid. After initial backlash, Palo Alto again mulls raising ticket prices for It's much more exciting seeing wildlife in their natural element. It was spontaneous. Doors to the Courtyard can be found inside the Museum. They can also explore objects in the Museums extensive natural history collection, and there is a special place just for babies. Instead, the split has been roughly even. One possible way to address this is by raising ticket prices by 10% to 20% in the coming year and creating a roadmap for long-term cost recovery. The Art Center hosts art exhibits and also offers art classes for kids, teens, adults, and families. Now, with Palo Alto planning to set the fees at $18, Angelo believes the city is making the institution less equitable and more exclusive much to the chagrin of the many community members who. Learn MoreFortunately, as of November 22, daily flamingo feedings have resumed. The museum has been successful in selling memberships, which range in cost from $110 for residents to $245 for nonresidents. With revenues falling below expectations, Palo Alto is once again considering hiking ticket prices at the newly rebuilt Junior Museum and Zoo. This was once a wonderful and unpretentious museum for kids. From babyhood through retirees, the community services bond us together. Does that mean that the property owner has one basis for "selling" it back to Stanford and there's another for the County to assess value? Leadership is needed to bring people together--to bring in the public and to guide staff toward greater openness to that engagement. Experience science and nature at the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo. Who among us asked for this? OF COURSE there will be differences of opinion, but if there's one thing that has never changed it is our dedication to what is good for our children. Do we pay him the big bucks to regurgitate covid news we can easily find else and to send out a Recipe of the Week?? Lemonade Day Tuesday, August 22 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Courtyard. And by the way, there are many FREE zoos in this country, including the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. Josephine Randall (Yes the SF Rec and Park Randall Junior Museum). Get uninterrupted access to important local city government news. Terms of Use Field trips are only available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and require advanced reservation. Effective August 1, we will have three entry times: 10am, 12:30pm, and 2:30pm. In other words, this is not the way the museum will presumably function going forward, yet the City is using this an excuse to propose permanent exorbitant fees, or privatize the Museum and turn it entirely over to the Friends of the Junior Museum and Zoo--either way, the City simply doesn't want to fund the Museum. Web Link Lauren Angelo, president of Friends of Junior Museum and Zoo, was among those who criticized the move, which she suggested would lead to lower attendance. Does that mean that the property owner has one basis for "selling" it back to Stanford and there's another for the County to assess value? Per status quo CC and highest earning city staff boot kids and families to the curb, crying poor, poor city coffers. ", Lack of cell coverage is stranding Foothills Nature Preserve visitors, Report urges overhaul of Palo Alto's retail laws, City proposes right-turn-only islands, but no traffic signal, for Lincoln and Middlefield, Environmental Protection Agency invests more than $50M to protect San Francisco Bay, For beleaguered property owner, change of zoning is anything but straightforward. News Not everything needs to be edified at public expense. Visit - Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo A must-visit destination for art enthusiasts with a wide range of art exhibitions and workshops. Become a member today. By Sherry Listgarten | 5 comments | 3,305 views, Redwood City brewery Ghostwood Beer Company opens downtown taproom Time required to visit Junior Museum & Zoo: 02:00 Hrs. No its upside down. Whether you're in the mood for Asian fusion, Italian cuisine, or farm-to-table fare, you'll find something to satisfy your taste buds here. The Childrens Theatre hosts a variety of productions for kids of all ages. The playground features a climbing tower among other brand-new play equipment and is situated next to a large grassy field (perfect for a picnic setup!). COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE . When will we hit the performance target of 40,000 hours? The City Council needs to appoint a citizen commission to draw the key lessons from this fiasco so that something like that does not happen again. Mountain View Voice "Whereas, many people make considerable sacrifices so their children can attend Palo Alto schools, and many people who do not have children have a much more restricted income than seems to be assumed by city hall employees. Its conveniently located near the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo on Harriet St. Heres what you can enjoy during your visit: Indoor Reading:The library is full of books, movies, and music for children. Palo Alto, CA 94301, Home - Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo - Logo. Luckily, Palo Alto is full of family-friendly activities. Your post also doesn't tell the story of the gas transfer tax, another complicated mess. Read a new community update to discover a roundup of community events, activities, and resources to help you celebrate summer in style. @StephenM, we know Stanford professors and children of Stanford professor so I'm pretty sure that the land is not taxed, only the houses and improvements. Fundraising can be done as needed. Hate to say "I told you so" but I did. Will tourists from out of town actually put the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo on their 'must see' list? 1451 Middlefield Road Also, as reflected in decisions made in the past, by too many council members." Blogs Contrast this orientation with neighboring Walter Hays Elementarys field trips into the natural environment and programs respecting indigenous peoples. While staff had expected to sell 2,000 memberships, the actual number. Support a variety of learning styles, multiple intelligences and special needs. What happened to a community benefit for all. All the logic in the world to collect $9 million has not convinced my stomach. " Established in 1922, Rinconada Park is Palo Altos second oldest park. Thank you Jeremy Erman for the background about the Junior Museum pricing model as presented to staff. What role did the Friends of Junior Museum and Zoo, the City Council, and Staff play in this? And while they are at it, make the museum/zoo free to all visitors. If you want to see wildlife, go to the forest in Tahoe, peel a banana, and wait for the wildlife to come to you. Another fuel may be some of the salaries paid at City Hall, such as the City Manager's, which is higher than the Governor's. It was a community gathering spot for parents and caretakers of young children. Ecofriedly landscaping was installed around the perimeter. Meerkat, schmeerkat. From babyhood through retirees, the community services bond us together. Even the most modest proposal from staff would result in a 50% increase, with tickets for general entry going up from $10 to $15. The beautiful garden and lovely collection of media makes this library a must-see for families! This was once a wonderful and unpretentious museum for kids. Go visit Curiodyssey if you want to see what PAJMZ could have been. With revenues falling below expectations, Palo Alto is once again considering hiking ticket prices at the newly rebuilt Junior Museum and Zoo.The topic of admission prices proved to be thorny last year, as staff proposed charging $18 for admission to a museum that historically allowed visitors to walk in for free. However, the JMZ is exactly the kind of community function that has long been partly funded by the Gas Transfer (Measure L). Another aspect is to this is that making this a destination for out of towners, will add to traffic and parking issues. The City also admits that attendance--and thus fees--have been down because of COVID restrictions and surges, and that the lack of available reservations is mainly because of limited space and time because of COVID protocols.