Last week the zoo celebrated National ZooKeeper Week, recognizing the work that keepers perform day-in-day-out to be certain the animals have everything they need. But later in the week I received a copy of a note praising the train driver and it got me thinking. Certainly, the animals are the main attraction at the zoo but there is so much more that makes the zoo a special place to visit. It takes the entire team participating to make each guest’s experience a fun and memorable adventure.

During the summer months, most of our frontline staff are seasonal employees but they are just as passionate about being a part of the zoo as are those that work here year-round. Guests are greeted with a smile and welcomed to the zoo as they pass through the visitor center before entering the zoo grounds. While some may head straight to the entrance, others enjoy browsing the gift shop first. If they find something they want to buy, they again encounter one of the seasonal staff ready to serve their needs. We have been very fortunate this summer, especially in this post-COVID economy, to have several experienced Guest Services staff return and some great new staff that we can hopefully count on next year.

Our guest services staff can be found throughout the zoo from the admissions counter to the concession stand or driving the train. Each has their own reasons for being here, but all are a huge part of our summer season, and we couldn’t do it without them. Lately, it has been difficult to find seasonal staff to fill those guest services positions, but the zoo has been more fortunate than others. After time, several begin to recognize the regular guests and more and more we have guests that recognize the seasonal staff. From admissions to the gift shop, the train, or concession stand, the guest services staff are there to help you through your visit.

This is especially true with one of our train drivers. It is hard to find someone as dedicated to his job and the guests as Jim. He loves going out of his way to learn as much as he can about the animals along the route so he can share his information with the riders. He loves interacting with the guests and taking pictures with them. Between rides, he lets the children sit in the train engine for pictures and always has something special for them. Many children along with their parents know him by name and, I think for some, he is the reason for their visit.

The summer goes quickly, and many of those special people will soon be headed back to school or other chapters in their lives. They will be missed but can leave knowing that they were appreciated by the zoo’s staff as well as the thousands of guests that visit the zoo. To that seasonal staff that brightens up our day, thank you; you make the zoo a better place for all.