Small Town Zoo Restored In Reeves County?
By: Jenne Anderson
Updated: February 7, 2013
PECOS-- You wouldn't know it now, but people in Pecos say the zoo used to be quite the small town attraction.
"The things they had were nice," said Pecos resident Josie Jimenez. "Peacocks, a mountain lion, monkeys, and buffalo."
But you won't find those animals there anymore.
Just locked gates, and a bunch of empty cages, after the Pecos City Council closed the zoo last year.
"We were spending a significant amount of money on the zoo," explained Pecos City Manager Fred Reyes. "The animal population was getting older."
Jimenez has lived in Pecos for 20 years, and has fond memories of the zoo.
"We liked it, the monkeys were amazing!" exclaimed Jimenez.
Even though all the animals have been shipped off to other zoos, Jimenez says she often watches her granddaughter play on the nearby playground, reflecting on what the place used to be.
"In the summer time when kids were out of school it's really busy out here," stated Jimenez.
Rather than keep the place abandoned, Pecos City leaders tell us they already have a plan in motion to restore the empty park.
"We're looking at doing something with the park," said Reyes. "It's just, we want to get some input from the community."
And that input is key.
Reyes says the restoration plans may not include animals unless enough people say they want them back.
"That's something that I think we would leave to the community," stated Reyes. "To see if they feel they want to see the animals again."
But for now the ghost zoo sits idle -- alive only in the memories of residents like Jimenez, who say they'd love to see the place brought back to its former glory.
"That would be nice," said Jimenez. "Something to come in and do on weekends, especially for the kids."
The city says right now the plans include adding walking trails and a possible pond.
However, they are still taking suggestions from the public -- and they plan on making a final decision at their next council meeting.
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"The things they had were nice," said Pecos resident Josie Jimenez. "Peacocks, a mountain lion, monkeys, and buffalo."
But you won't find those animals there anymore.
Just locked gates, and a bunch of empty cages, after the Pecos City Council closed the zoo last year.
"We were spending a significant amount of money on the zoo," explained Pecos City Manager Fred Reyes. "The animal population was getting older."
Jimenez has lived in Pecos for 20 years, and has fond memories of the zoo.
"We liked it, the monkeys were amazing!" exclaimed Jimenez.
Even though all the animals have been shipped off to other zoos, Jimenez says she often watches her granddaughter play on the nearby playground, reflecting on what the place used to be.
"In the summer time when kids were out of school it's really busy out here," stated Jimenez.
Rather than keep the place abandoned, Pecos City leaders tell us they already have a plan in motion to restore the empty park.
"We're looking at doing something with the park," said Reyes. "It's just, we want to get some input from the community."
And that input is key.
Reyes says the restoration plans may not include animals unless enough people say they want them back.
"That's something that I think we would leave to the community," stated Reyes. "To see if they feel they want to see the animals again."
But for now the ghost zoo sits idle -- alive only in the memories of residents like Jimenez, who say they'd love to see the place brought back to its former glory.
"That would be nice," said Jimenez. "Something to come in and do on weekends, especially for the kids."
The city says right now the plans include adding walking trails and a possible pond.
However, they are still taking suggestions from the public -- and they plan on making a final decision at their next council meeting.
Like Jenne Anderson's page on Facebook!
