Letters to the Editor

On this page are posted, with permission of their authors, letters to the editor of the Arizona Daily Star. All letters are published on the Star’s website at tucson.com; they are listed here in chronological sequence, most recent first. Their authors advocate, as do we, preserving the heart of Reid Park and oppose the Zoo’s imminent expansion into this cherished area. Feel free to use their ideas for formulating your own letters to the editor. Use the links below to jump to letters posted in a particular month. Also, see Mayor Regina Romero’s Letter calling for pause of the zoo’s expansion so that the different parties can come to the table.

May 2021 Letters (3)

Re: May 3 article "How to literally bridge park, zoo” — May 7, 2021

Architect Bob Vint's alternative Plan "G-minor" for Reid Park is pure genius. G-minor answers everyone's concerns.

It (1) expands Reid Park Zoo while (2) preserving Barnum Hill and (3) preserving the absolutely critical adaptive recreation center and aquatic center, while (4) costing far less money than either Plan D or G, (5) in an aesthetically pleasing and visually exciting way with a pedestrian bridge with impressive views.

This is gorgeous outside-the-box thinking! Kudos! I strongly urge all parties to adopt Bob Vint's Bridge to G-minor. It is a win for all.

Regula Case

Bob Vint’s Option for zoo expansion — May 7, 2021

I really liked Bob Vint’s suggestion about the Zoo expansion in the May 3 Opinion section. I’m afraid it may be too late to change direction. But it is wise, it is creative, and it speaks of the outside-the-box ideas I’ve seen implemented in other cities both nationally and internationally. Plus, he has creds right here in Tucson: a designer for the Desert Museum, a Tucson native, and a teacher of urban design at the UA Architecture School. Sounds great, let’s pay attention!

Charlanne Maynard

Preserve Barnum Hill — May 1, 2021

I am a second-generation native Tucsonan and have spent most of my 52 years visiting Barnum Hill and the duck pond at Reid Park. I have also visited the zoo many times, but when I could not afford a ticket, I would instead go walk around the pond and enjoy the trees and the wildlife.

We have visited that area frequently over the years with family and friends and never thought in a million years that someone would want to put a fence around it and take it away from the citizens of Tucson.

I voted in favor of the tax increase but was never made aware of the zoo's plans for expansion. The zoo and the city did a poor job of informing the public.

The only way you might have heard of the project is if you were a zoo member. Reid Park is a Tucson treasure.

It would be terrible to lose such a beautiful spot that has been a place of respite for so many local Tucsonans and visitors alike.

Jill Kitchens

Concept G makes sense — April 30, 2021

Would somebody please tell council member Steve Kozachik to shut up about the city’s reputation with contractors and fiscal responsibility. He is partially responsible for this mess and has no room to talk.

Zoo management (with the city’s help) decided they could take the best part of the best park in town for their own purposes. When they were called on it, the mayor and City Council wisely called a halt to reconsider.

Not Kozachik. He and Shane Burgess of the zoo must believe they are entitled and beyond reproach. I believe the zoo should not expand beyond its present boundaries. They have no right to steal precious green space in the desert from us.

The only option is “G.” We never voted to give them the park.

Robert McNeil, member of Save the Heart of Reid Park

In favor of Concept G — April 29, 2021

Concept G (north expansion) is the least expensive option after Concept A (no expansion). Parkland is prime real estate, and it makes no sense (financially, environmentally, socially, culturally) to give it away. It is expensive.

Replacing the green space taken by the zoo expansion concepts B, C and D would cost at least somewhere between $15M and $25M. And the city has yet to identify 4.5 acres available in central Tucson to purchase that would offset the loss of 4.5 acres of green space proposed in these concepts.

Even if a location was found, the cost to purchase the real estate, tear down whatever is there and reconfigure it into parkland with amenities would be way more expensive than Concept G.

We are not in a position to lose any green space. The climate crisis and quality-of-life crisis are here. Concept G is the only win-win option that preserves parkland and allows the zoo to expand in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.

Wendy Sampson

Let the red panda go — April 29, 2021

I have lived on Reid Park’s southern edge for 15 years. We support modified Concept G because, at 4.3 acres, it does not take more land than the original plan, expands the zoo into hardscape as opposed to paving green space, saves Barnum Hill and the duck pond and maintains the present zoo entrance.

It would only take a few maintenance sheds. The cost is low. Those most affected should be given priority for input. I don’t plan to visit the poor red panda as it burns in 115-degree heat with fighter jets screaming overhead as a mob of gawkers yells and points while it trembles with anxiety at the hordes paying $100 per family and wearing panda T-shirts at $29.99 each.

“Step right up and see the Pathway to Asia, tortured animals biting themselves in anxiety as humans try to climb in for the perfect selfie” is not my style, but to each their own. Just don’t steal our park space for this greedy, cruel circus.

Saba Bennett

Concept G for me — April 29, 2021

As an avid Reid Park user, I am so grateful that Barnum Hill and the south duck pond will remain for free public use and support migrating birds and local fauna. Still, I urge the mayor and council to protect all of Reid Park’s green space.

In which case, Concept G is the best decision if the zoo is allowed to expand. By turning hardscape like the parking lot into zoo habitat, we can avoid cutting down trees and disrupting the flow of Reid Park.

In fact, I imagine a Reid Park that includes more free green space. Instead of the baseball fields being turned into zoo, what if they were transformed into urban forests, planted with more trees and native plants?

What if the community could design this flagship park as an anchor to help us combat climate change and offer forest bathing to Tucsonans. Did you know the park decreases the heat island effect?

Please contact the mayor and support Concept G. “G” for green! “G” for me!

Chrysta Faye

Toxic Tucson — April 29, 2021

Animals are sentient creatures. Zoos are inhumane, especially small zoos. We humans need green spaces and trees to provide necessary oxygen and shade.

Where is the impetus for the Million Trees the mayor promised by 2030? Instead, Tucson’s trees are being decimated. At TCC and all over Tucson, mature trees are giving way to cement.

No matter the direction of the Reid Park Zoo expansion, more trees will be lost. We, the thousands who love Reid Park, will be deafened and displaced by the zoo’s continual construction for years to come.

Tucson made the list of the worst cities to drive in. Tucson’s air pollution is bad. More ugly buildings are popping up with disregard to water use, despite our 12 years of drought.

Let’s face the facts: The Old Pueblo is a mess. Please help improve our own human habitat and leave the zoo alone.

Susana Manzana

The zoo is an eyesore — April 28, 2021

If anything is trashing Reid Park, it is the zoo. The zoo is the neighbor nobody wants. They are the neighbors with dilapidated fences, torn and worn fabric, unsuccessfully hiding clutter and unsightly spaces and barbed wire ruining the peaceful aesthetic of Reid Park.

We have to look only as far as Lakeshore Lane to see what could ruin the west side of Reid Park. It is clear the zoo does not care about Reid Park and only cares about what it is inside their perimeter.

If the city and council would not put the zoo eyesore in their front yard, they should not put the zoo in the middle of our beautiful park. No westward expansion of the zoo!

Carlos Ruiz

Abundant solutions to zoo’s problems — April 23, 2021

The recent survey initiative proves that the zoo has (and always had) no-harm solutions to its expansion problem. The clear path forward is Option G, to convert the facilities to the north. No harm to the park, the zoo gets to expand, a net loss of concrete in a hot city, and the current facility users can upgrade to more modern facilities.

The funding comes from the zoo's bloated budget, and we all get something good out of it. With Tucson temperatures rising faster than ever, eliminating concrete is in everyone's best interest. Early intervention avoids crisis down the line. My grandma would always say “a stitch in time saves nine."

The extent to which the zoological society board continues to dig in its heels to go west—when viable alternatives have been presented—shows it is short-sighted and would prefer to cause long-term harm for short-term benefits. Is that really how we want to behave?

Lee Sharp

Keep Reid Park shade for generations to come — April 12, 2021

Reid Park is the only municipal park in the city of Tucson with a stand of trees providing a density of shade for residents (and wildlife) to find relief from the continually rising temperatures.

There are many studies and articles stating the need and positive impact a tree canopy can provide for cooling a city and providing relief for residents. Our mayor, Regina Romero, has even gone to the trouble of signing a pledge to plant one million trees by 2030 to mitigate heat impacts.

Why would the Tucson City Council and Mayor Romero even consider the Reid Park Zoo expansion plan when it would decimate Reid Park and the Tucson community for generations?

Council: Please create a long-term park plan for all residents of Tucson for our health, climate and economy for generations.

Dawn Urquhart

Stakeholders excluded from Reid Park talks — April 6, 2021

In 2014 Expand Reid Park (ERP) approached city leaders with concerns over the future of Reid Park. Chief among these concerns was our realization that zoo expansion would eventually result in the removal of fee-free park space from the Public Trust.

Starting in November ERP has worked tirelessly alongside other organizations to rally Tucson’s families to force an inclusive dialogue to explore alternatives to the zoo’s current expansion plans.

Groups like the Tucson Audubon Society and various neighborhood organizations were contacted, many of whom were unaware of plans that would critically modify the character of Reid Park and displace its wild residents.

This hard work resulted in a 45-day pause in the project to gather stakeholders to explore new and exciting ideas for the future of the zoo and park.

Unfortunately, neither ERP nor the Tucson Audubon Society will be included in this process. Due to criteria as yet undisclosed by the city, neither organization has been invited to participate, depriving the other stakeholders of our combined knowledge.

Peter Polley

Time to revisit velodrome idea — April 6, 2021

Leave Barnum Hill and the Reid Park duck pond alone. With over 40 golf courses in greater Tucson, we could afford to use one of them at Reid Park for zoo expansion and other purposes.

If Tucson really wants a world-class facility, we can use this land to build a velodrome for bicycle racing, recreational riding and a training center as well as for zoo expansion.

A world-class velodrome would be a unique addition to a city that is already known as a bicycling center. This would attract people from all over the country and other countries, provide children and adults with a healthy new recreational facility, boosting the Tucson economy and making money for the city of Tucson.

Pima County rejected a bond issue to build a velodrome in 2015 with only 27% of registered voters voting. It is time to revisit this idea. Tucson does not need a world-class zoo, but we can still be world-class.

Kent Solberg

Barnum Hill’s health benefits — April 3, 2021

Re: the April 1 article “Letter: Zoo expansion betrays voters’ trust”

The riparian area known as Barnum Hill in Reid Park benefits far more people and to a far greater extent than would the proposed tiger habitat. Published research shows that walking in green areas near trees and water for 15–30 minutes twice a week reduces stress hormones, improves vitality and staves off depression.

Urban trees provide not just aesthetic pleasure but concrete health benefits. Trees are also a critical part of the global carbon storage solution, the heat island solution and the urban air quality solution.

Barnum Hill provides a much-needed urban retreat for people who just want to immerse themselves in nature for a short time during their day without having to pay admission and committing several hours of their time to make it worthwhile.

As stated in a previous letter, the huge eucalyptus and Aleppo pines cannot be replaced in the lifetime of many Tucson residents.

Ann Baldwin, Professor of Physiology, University of Arizona

Barnum Hill’s greatest resource: memories — April 3, 2021

On a family zoo trip, someone asked, “Why shouldn’t the animals get more room?” I never said they shouldn’t. They deserve livable habitats. Do they specifically need Barnum Hill? No. They’re other options.

Why do I believe it’s a treasure? Fifteen years ago, two “kids” vowed to get married and pay for it on their own. Thankfully, they remembered Barnum Hill, where they had had a picnic after their third date, which was to the zoo. Just $12 later, they had a venue.

As children, we played along the stream, jumped from rock to rock and raced up the hill. As adults, we take our child for photos, have picnics, and rest under the tree where we were married while we watch our son do what we did when we were young.

For decades, this mature public oasis has provided many cherished memories for Tucsonans and should be preserved.

Jen Weimer

Repurpose the Gold Course — April 2, 2021

Reid Park is the closest place that represents a “commons,” defined as land that belongs to the whole community. Parks as commons mean that they are places of open access managed through our democracy. Unlike the zoo, you don’t need money to enjoy the park. It’s not a fenced-in space even though there are rules people must follow to keep the place beautiful. Parks are invaluable because they give us release from the stress and injustices of commercialism. A park’s value can’t be measured in terms of dollars.

During our global climate emergency, having a green space and old trees, as we see on Barnum Hill at Reid Park, shouldn’t be destroyed. Instead, I suggest it is time to stop playing golf at Reid Park. Expand the zoo there. But with the majority of the land, start planting fruit trees and growing organic gardens to feed people who are in dire need of better nutrition, therapeutic activities, and learning urban farming skills.

Libby Hubbard

Stop the zoo’s land grab — April 1, 2021

Thousands of lovers of Reid Park’s Barnum Hill and the south duck pond have signed petitions and written requests to stop the zoo from a land grab of this treasured part of Tucson’s central park.

As a retired Arizona educator and 30-year resident of Julia Keen Neighborhood, I truly appreciate my morning dog walk, seeing wild birds at the pond and hill to start my day.

I remember when a beautiful green area of the park with a soccer field was fenced in and an elephant enclosure was built, to the surprise of those who live in the neighborhood. We still miss those 7.5 acres that were taken at that time.

This unjustified land grab by the zoo has to stop! There are other alternatives for the zoo that do not include taking precious historical and cultural heritage, cutting down dozens of huge mature trees and fencing the area off to the public. This would be an irreplaceable loss for Tucson.

Lee Tozko

Zoo expansion betrays voters’ trust — April 1, 2021

Proponents of Reid Park Zoo’s proposed expansion talk about lack of trust from construction companies. The zoo’s plan betrays the trust of many Tucsonans who voted for Prop. 203 in 2017.

The will of the voters was to fund improvements and maintenance to the existing structures and fund field trips. We didn’t vote to sign away as much of the park as the zoo wanted, nor did we vote for the zoo’s vision to create a “world-class zoo” in the middle of residential neighborhoods.

Tucson’s world-class zoo, the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum, exists without affecting established neighborhoods, cares for animals that thrive in our climate, and also provides free field trips.

The expansion would result in irreparable damage to Reid Park and to the zoo’s public image. Prop. 203 expires in seven years, and voters are unlikely to trust the zoo with more tax money after it steals free green space from Tucson’s Central Park.

Jessica Flax

Tucson already has a world-class zoo — March 31, 2021

I am tired of the specious arguments being used in favor of zoo expansion.

There is no doubt that bringing in a couple of tigers whose species is on the road to extinction brings positive reactions, but the number of cries about increased tourism to Tucson, how industry will be persuaded to move here because of this, ring hollow.

The citizenry narrowly voted for more funding for the zoo, but there were no specifics mentioned on the ballot how this would be achieved, in spite of all the cries to the opposite.

Barnum Hill and its delights of flowing water and shade trees can’t be readily replaced, and the best education is free play and no charge.

The elitist idea that we have other parks doesn’t allow for the joys of Barnum Hill and misses the point that the zoo has alternative land which doesn’t destroy established attractions.

You want a world-class zoo? We already have it. It’s the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and that’s difficult to top.

Pauline Roed

An open letter to Steve Kozachik on zoo expansion — March 31, 2021

Dear Steve,

You claim that the city must honor its word with contractors, but it's perfectly acceptable for the city to issue deceptively worded ballot propositions. Total hypocrisy. Your contractors are clearly far more important to you than the voters or the taxpayers.

Why didn't you and your cohorts walk over to the South Pond and ask people what they thought about your bulldozing plans? Why didn't anyone think to post a few clearly worded signs around the South Pond? Were you afraid too many people might attend your so-called public meetings? These simple, common-sense steps could have easily prevented our current predicament. It is time for you to admit your abysmal failures and resign.

Chuck Ferrara

Zoo/Barnum Hill — March 26, 2021

I am philosophically not a fan of zoos, but I did vote yes on the zoo improvement proposition in 2017.

There was no mention of expansion to take over the Barnum Hill site. If there had been, I would have voted no on the two propositions.

Taking the golf course on the east side of the Zoo would be a great alternative. Count how many people use the golf course versus how many use the Barnum Hill area.

Violet Juodakis

The city and zoo’s failure indicative of deeper rot — March 23, 2021

A world-class zoo? Sounds like a quality attraction, but Henry Ford said, “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.”

Our zoo and our city, I’m sorry to say, have cracked foundations. They are only trying to do the right thing now because they’ve been caught.

The zoo is starting a PR campaign acting like they are grateful for the roundtable input. Don’t forget, they’ve been brought to the table kicking and screaming, only to turn that frown upside down because now it’s in their best interests to appear collaborative.

The city has known about the plans for three years. Why didn’t they start their mitigation efforts three years ago?

It’s never too late to do the right thing, but if they don’t do it for the right reasons, then I would call the result low-class, not world-class. The city and the zoo are not sorry for what they did. They’re only sorry they got caught.

Lee Sharp

Expand Reid Park; replace Kozachik — March 22, 2021

Six years ago, I started a Facebook page, Expand Reid Park, with the goal of converting the golf courses into regular parkland.

Many joined me in the campaign with the goal of creating an iconic park that would put Tucson on the map. We ran into stiff resistance from Ward 6 Tucson City Councilman Steve Kozachik.

Fast forward to today and Kozachik wants to shrink the size of the park by taking away Reid Park’s best features, Barnum Hill and the south pond.

He wasn’t willing to listen to us then. And he has demonstrated that he is still unwilling to listen to groups of concerned Tucsonans such as Save the Heart of Reid Park.

It is time to replace Steve Kozachik with someone more in touch with what our community needs and stop this land-grab travesty.

Daniel Brockert

A “magic hill” with human habitat — March 22, 2021

There’s magic in a little brown hill in Reid Park. Barnum Hill has man-made streams and waterfalls coursing down its bare dirt sides, water which attracts people of all ages, from tots clambering over the rocks in streams to the adults sitting quietly on large boulders listening to the splashing waterfalls and peaceful gurgle of the streams.

Maybe we can build another hill elsewhere, but can we replace the decades-old trees sun dappling this space?

There’s a large flat area north of the big pond that could possibly be used for a tiger habitat. It has a baseball diamond on it. Please leave Barnum Hill and the little duck pond as habitat for the dozens and dozens of people of all ages who enjoy its magic every day

Eleanor Arnold

Zoos are unethical; stop the proposed expansion — March 22, 2021

I am a Tucson resident and taxpayer, and I do not support the expansion of the Reid Park Zoo into the 3.5 acres subsuming the duck pond and Barnum Hill. We need more free and open park space, not less.

The incarceration of animals is not education or entertainment. Animals are not tools to be used for display and experimentation. Like human animals, they have emotions and awareness, form relationships, and need freedom to live.

And just like humans, wild animals suffer greatly when incarcerated. Zoos, including Reid Park Zoo, cause incredible mental and physical health problems to these wild animals.

Zoos and aquariums teach our citizens that we accept this cruel form of entertainment, that we feel these animals’ pain is not as important as our own “need” to look at these animals suffering in their cages.

We know it is unethical and inhumane to confine wild animals. We, as a society, no longer accept these barbaric institutions. Stop Reid Park Zoo expansion!

Amron Gravett

Should our zoo even exist? — March 22, 2021

In 2006, the Tucson City Council voted 6–1 to spend $8.5 million to take over 7 acres of Reid Park to house elephants. Nikia Fico presented a petition with thousands of signatures to have the elephants, Connie and Shaba, shipped to a thousand-acre Tennessee elephant sanctuary.

The Tucson Zoological Society said the 7 acres were fine.

Connie was euthanized at the San Diego Zoo shortly after being shipped there with Shaba in early 2012. Instead of returning the 7 acres back to the humans, the zoo brought in more elephants.

By the way, due to physical and mental stress, the average life expectancy of an elephant in the wild or in a sanctuary is almost twice that of an elephant in a zoo, per multiple studies.

Fast forward 15 years and the Zoo Industrial Complex is at it again. Humanity continues to rationalize keeping animals as trophies. Maybe the moral and ethical question should be whether the zoo should exist at all in the first place.

Matt Somers

Zoo’s effort to inform falls flat — March 21, 2021

While I voted for the tax increase for the zoo in 2017, like many citizens of Tucson this past December, I was shocked to find out about the zoo expansion plans that will destroy Barnum Hill and the south pond.

Clearly, the 2017 ballot and information provided to the public at that time did not disclose this destruction. Zoo proponents claims of outreach are obscure and do not rise to a good-faith effort.

As a comparison on another issue affecting me, I was made fully aware of issues regarding the Sunshine Mile. I felt that I had easy access to information regarding this change.

The outreach by the city of Tucson was highly effective, and my Ward-6 council member bent over backwards working on compromises.

What a dichotomy! Something here is not right. I want my zoo vote back. Save the heart of Reid Park.

Robert Seaman

Barum Hill — March 19, 2021

My parents kept a black and white snapshot of me raising my arms in victory on Barnum Hill 60 years ago. I was rock hopping and pretending to be a mountain climber who reached a summit. Back then the pine trees were small. When it comes to the current controversy about Barnum Hill, no one is wrong. Both sides have good points. But If we plant pine trees now on public land, they will be stately in another 60 years. We can scoop out and create other water features, too. However in 60 years there might not be anymore tigers mostly due to habitat destruction. Perhaps we can reclaim for nature the land on which vacant buildings and their parking lots stand. Why not make new parks and other ponds around town, and let the tigers have a much better enclosure at Reed Park Zoo.

Cindy Hansen

Protect Reid Park — March 19, 2021

Protecting Reid Park is extremely important to keep the trees and attract birds. It is also important to have our city park clean. Also, we must ensure the ponds are healthy for the ducks and turtles, especially the grass and the trees that provide good shade above us. The zoo animals are good in Reid park, and the park is popular in town because of the zoo. We shouldn’t expand the zoo, nor expand Reid Park. It brings us joy to relax under a beautiful view of the sky. We should protect Reid Park by not leaving trash on the ground. I recommend keeping Reid Park clean and healthy so we have a good protected Park to feel joy walking around and to express ourselves while viewing its natural beauty. We need the Park clean with no trash on the ground; that's my idea of protecting Reid Park.

JuanCarlo Tapia

Texts of Props. 202 and 203 misled voters — March 18,2021

I believe that the 2017 ballot did not treat Tucson voters fairly, since the texts of Propositions 202 and 203 did not mention an expansion of the zoo to encompass Barnum Hill and the south pond.

The two ponds and hill form a unit connected by a waterfall and streams. Dozens of turtles and birds can easily go from the water to the rocks surrounding the south pond. They can also swim from one pond to the other. There are no rocks around the north pond.

I am a member of the Reid Park Zoo and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and cannot fathom how the zoo, with its educational focus, can agree to destroy a natural habitat of so many free desert creatures in order to provide a controlled home for exotic animals in a habitat alien to them.

How much of the “millions of dollars” in planning came from taxpayers who voted on propositions that did not reflect the zoo’s expansion intent?

Jean Rabura

Turn Dell Urich over to the zoo — March 18,2021

I have lived in Tucson since 1968. I think the city of Tucson should give the Randolph Dell Urich (south) golf course to the Reid Park Zoo. Yes, move the zoo from a cramped 24 acres to 130 acres.

Give the zoo a remodel to give the animals much needed space with better design for human observation and some privacy for the animals.

Secondly, the cold-weather animals should be transferred to cold-climate zoos. The future Dell Urich Zoo could be a beautiful place.

Dan Nelson

Zoo, park supporters can be better neighbors — March 17, 2021

The Reid Park Zoo has neighbors. It sits in an urban/suburban neighborhood. The zoo may think it did a good job of letting everyone know what their renovation and expansion entailed, but apparently that is not the case.

The zoo may feel self-righteous about its plans and how it was sold, but the neighbors disagree. Now is the time to rethink the plan.

Find another spot to expand into in order to give the tigers a good habitat. Bulldozing ahead is a mistake. It is toxic to live in a neighborhood that resents and dislikes you.

As for all the Barnum Hill supporters, they should band together to become protectors and advocates for the area. Sometimes employees of the city can’t do it all.

Adopt Barnum Hill like the Adopt-a-Highway program: Clean it up, don’t litter, pick up the trash and do something to improve the pond so turtles and wildlife have a place to rest.

Preserve it and make it better.

Kathy Donahue

Zoo vs. Park — March 16, 2021

I applaud Mayor Romero for taking the time to look for solutions to the park vs. zoo issue. I voted in 2018 to fund improvements to the zoo. I did not understand that it would usurp Reid Park or the duck pond. Reid Park is the nicest park on the West Side. Is anyone looking at alternatives? Tim Steller (March 10, 2021) suggested using underutilized zoo and or city properties east and north of the zoo. Has using a portion of one of the TWO city golf courses on the east side been considered? It’s important also to ask if the zoo plans other expansions in the future. I’d like to see the expansion happen, just not on Barnum Hill. I hope both sides will continue to look for civil, creative solutions.

Carolyn Thurman

Save the heart of Reid Park — March 15, 2021

I support the mayor on pausing the destruction of Barnum Hill, the mature trees and south duck pond.

In my mind (and heart) this is not right! There are other solutions and other areas that would have less impact on our environment. Just the tree canopy alone is enough to rethink this zoo expansion plan into Barnum. I would have never voted for the prop if I’d had any idea of this. The Tucson Mayor and City Council have the power to change this by coming to the table and finding solutions to end this for the better of the whole community.

Gigi Brown

Keep Barnum Hill and the south pond public — March 14, 2021

As a former zookeeper at Reid Park Zoo I support the zoo’s mission of endangered species conservation. What I cannot support is the destruction of a space where kids have access to mature trees and water teeming with native species.

Nature play is critical to all children, not just children whose parents can afford zoo memberships. Connections to native species is as important as connection to endangered species from far-off lands. It is arguably even more important for children to value the natural world closest to home as that is where they can have the greatest impact.

The pond and hill provide connections to wildlife in a way the zoo never can. They are accessible to all at any time. If Reid Park Zoo is truly serious about conservation, they would see the protest to protect the pond and hill for what it is: a group of citizens desperately trying to preserve a place for wildlife in the heart of Tucson. That’s real conservation.

Shiloh Walkosak

Compromise needed on zoo issue — March 14, 2021

Something feels so off to me about the conversation around Barnum Hill and the zoo expansion. The majority of the people who are speaking their opinions are adults, so why do I keep seeing childish insults coming from both sides?

I, a 17-year-old student, have been going to the park and the zoo my whole life, and many people would agree with me when I say that both are important to our community. I would love to see an expansion to our zoo, but I would also love to keep our park. Who gets to say that one is more important than the other when both side’s views and concerns are valid?

We can continue this fight between the zoo expansion and saving Barnum Hill, but it’ll just end with disappointment, anger and frustration. Instead, shouldn’t we be focusing our energy on finding a compromise?

We should take this 45-day pause to voice our opinions while remaining civil and respecting the other side’s views.

Maria Araiza

City right to reassess zoo expansion — March 13, 2021

Re: the March 10 article “City Council saves Reid Park Zoo from public resentment over plan.”

The public is well regarded in the fact that they have a voice in what goes on in their city. The protest that occurred to pause construction of an expansion to the Reid Park Zoo is an excellent example of not only the community members, but leaders banding together and reassessing their previous commitments.

Although there may be some resentment among the City Council members, they still found a way to put it to the side and find an alternative in order to save our precious Reid Park. Not only will the expansion of the zoo into the park distress our present community members, but also future generations will soon have fewer and fewer parks and nature to indulge in, which will have a great impact on how strong and beautiful this city and community can be.

Adolfo Madrid

Save the Heart of Reid Park — March 13, 2021

Please save Tucson’s few open green spaces.

Save the duck pond, Barnum hill, and our majestic eucalyptus and pine trees at Reid Park.

I have 13 nephews and nieces. We can't afford to pay the Zoo entrance fee. Where they will go on weekends if there is no more duck pond?

Social Injustice: " Injusticia Social para nuestra comunidad y familias."

Why has the golf course land that serves just a few adults (no kids) never been considered?

We do not need more animals in cages!

What we need is free, open, green areas in Tucson.

Tucson people, we know the swallower of the 3.5 acres of our unique park by the Zoo is wrong!

I have lived a half block from the Reid park since 2001 and never received any information about the public meetings by the Zoo or City.

Cristina Cardenas

Zoo expansion/park destruction — March 12, 2021

As a Reid Park neighbor for 30 years, I applaud Mayor Romero for calling to pause the zoo expansion project. By voting for Prop 203, we kindly voted to increase our taxes to help the zoo with maintenance, improvements and free access for school groups. In return, the zoo plans to destroy the most beautiful area of century-old Reid Park, taking it from the community. This destruction includes dozens of healthy mature trees that form the only large tree canopy within the city, as well as a beautiful pond. Voters were duped into voting for Prop 203 by withholding this information from the public prior to election, and continued lack of outreach for years, preventing us from expressing disapproval while they drafted this sinister plan. Why can't zoo and park coexist? Why does a beloved, vital park need to be destroyed for the zoo to improve? This is selfish, irresponsible and barbaric. If the zoo must expand, there are options that wouldn't hurt the community that enjoys this park.

Ingvi Kallen

My neighborhood park — March 12, 2021

It doesn't matter what side of the argument you are on with the Reid Park Zoo expansion. What matters is the precedence it will set, and I look forward to it. We have seen more Council Members advocating for public input and feedback. Still, those who argue to continue the expansion could make the argument, "the zoo had a better community engagement strategy than the city normally does." That assertion would not be wrong. Before discussing the central business district and participatory budgeting, the city frequently would spiritlessly engage in a public engagement process where the community would not understand what exactly was going with the city's expressed goal of "keeping it broad enough to allow for changes." So whatever Mayor and Council pass along for both the Zoological Society and my neighborhood park, is a robust community engagement process going to be commonplace?

Andres A Portela

Reid Park Zoo expansion - A teenage view — March 12, 2021

The‌ ‌expansion‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌zoo‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌divisive‌ ‌issue. ‌I‌ ‌know‌ ‌that‌ ‌the‌ ‌zoo‌ ‌and‌ ‌park‌ ‌are‌ ‌significant‌ ‌to‌ ‌Tucsonians,‌ ‌but‌ ‌we‌ ‌have‌ ‌to‌ ‌conclude‌ ‌this‌ ‌matter.‌‌ ‌I‌ ‌would‌ ‌prefer‌ ‌that‌ ‌the‌ ‌park‌ ‌and‌ ‌zoo‌ ‌go‌ ‌unchanged.‌ ‌Even‌ ‌though‌ ‌the‌ ‌zoo‌ ‌has‌ ‌spent‌ ‌$2‌ ‌million‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌zoo‌ ‌expansion,‌ ‌it’s‌ ‌best‌ ‌to‌ ‌stop‌ ‌while‌ ‌they’re‌ ‌ahead. The‌ ‌point‌ ‌is‌ ‌that‌ ‌I’ve‌ ‌been‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌zoo‌ ‌many‌ ‌times‌ ‌as‌ ‌it’s‌ ‌perfect‌ ‌the‌ ‌way‌ ‌it‌ ‌is.‌ ‌Many‌ ‌people‌ ‌may‌ ‌consider‌ ‌it‌ ‌tiny‌ ‌compared‌ ‌to‌ ‌other‌ ‌zoos,‌ ‌but‌ ‌that’s‌ ‌what‌ ‌makes‌ ‌it‌ ‌our‌ ‌zoo.‌ ‌The‌ ‌park‌ ‌itself‌ ‌attracts‌ ‌swarms‌ ‌of‌ ‌people‌ ‌during‌ ‌the‌ ‌spring‌ ‌and‌ ‌summer. When‌ ‌the‌ ‌zoo‌ ‌isn’t‌ ‌open,‌ ‌there‌ ‌are‌ ‌people‌ ‌at‌ ‌the‌ ‌park‌ ‌laughing,‌ ‌playing,‌ ‌and‌ ‌having‌ ‌a‌ ‌great‌ ‌time.‌ ‌Flocks‌ ‌of‌ ‌ducks‌ ‌come‌ ‌from‌ ‌everywhere‌ ‌to‌ ‌relax and ‌enjoy‌ ‌the‌ ‌water.‌ ‌If‌ ‌we‌ ‌keep‌ ‌everything‌ ‌the‌ ‌same,‌ ‌we‌ ‌can‌ ‌continue‌ ‌to‌ ‌maintain‌ ‌a‌ ‌community‌ ‌space‌ ‌that‌ ‌brings‌ ‌joy‌ ‌to‌ ‌all.‌ ‌

Kyra‌ ‌Mendoza‌, Student, Sunnyside High School ‌

Tiger enclosure would throw off park’s zen — March 11, 2021

Water in our desert is a precious commodity. Those of us who live in the city can find a calming respite with the duck ponds (yes, plural) at Reid Park. Mature trees provide shade and attract a plethora of birds. These are balms for my soul, perhaps our collective souls.

Take the tiger build-out and build it somewhere else that doesn’t desecrate the zen of Reid Park.

Karyn Zoldan

We can all get along at Reid Park — March 11, 2021

What’s wrong with this picture? Side one wants to enjoy the park, the duck pond, trees and have a voice. Side two wants to engage the community in the natural world, promote conservation and listen.

And there is a fight? Obviously, sides one and two missed talking earlier. Let us all, now, look for an “and,” not an “or.” Let’s make a better park experience and a better zoo experience. Because, we all need to coexist.

William Krauss

A Tucson legacy about to be lost — March 10, 2021

My siblings and I, all Tucson natives, have taken our children and grandchildren to enjoy the shady Aleppo pines, Barnum Hill and Reid Park pond for decades. We are not alone. This place was intended as Tucson’s legacy. Now a different future has gotten in the way of that legacy.

The pines are not native, we’re told. True, and neither are the elephants and other exotic zoo creatures. They are indeed far less at home here than the pines. Our real Southern Arizona zoo is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, but never mind.

Meanwhile, we hire an arborist to help plant a million trees in town yet take a chainsaw to some of the most stately trees in our city. On optics alone, this is a really, really poor decision.

If we can find a way to enshrine legal protection for neon signs all over town, we can safeguard our natural heritage at Reid Park. We should not lose a legacy given us well before there was ever a zoo.

David Schaller

Clean up Reid Park for all our sakes — March 10, 2021

Re: the March 7 letter “Save Barnum Hill, but clean the park up.”

Hello, my name is Francisco A. Romo, and I am a student from Sunnyside High School. I just want to say that I agree with everything in the letter “Save Barnum Hill, but clean the park up.”

I went to the pond a couple of days ago and I saw all of the trash and nasty mix floating on one side of the pond. The sad part is that the turtles and ducks were picking and swimming through this nasty mix.

Another sad thing is that it smelled very bad due to all of the muck. We left because of this. It needs to be cleaned ASAP. We can all help by not littering and make this park a better place/home for these animals.

Let’s be realistic and stop ignoring this.

Francisco Romo

Romero will be judged favorably for zoo delay — March 9, 2021

While Councilman Steve Kozachik has a point, and changes to voter-approved plans should not be taken lightly, I applaud Mayor Regina Romano for halting Reid Park expansion plans that would destroy the south duck pond and Barnum Hill.

Surely we know of cases where rethinking a plan after it has been passed would have been wise. I am from Chicago and can think of the taking of park land for McCormick Place as a decision that should have been stopped, or the routing of Lake Shore Drive through Jackson Park as one that was.

In all cases, it is a matter of values. As more houses are built, we in Tucson need access to ponds, trees and birds. Access that does not come with an admission fee or distance driving, access open daily to rich and poor.

These values exceed strict adherence to the letter of voter-approved plans. Without expansion, the zoo will still remain; with it, the pond and hill are forever destroyed.

Joan Gibb Engel

Thanks, Mayor — March 8, 2021

for protecting the park.

I want to thank Mayor Regina Romero for truly hearing Tucsonans’ concerns about the potential destruction of Barnum Hill and the south pond in Reid Park, and for recognizing that this is fundamentally about the voters’ trust in the Tucson institutions using our tax dollars.

I support her call for a pause of the zoo expansion project to find a solution that works for everyone. I’m confident such a solution exists and will be found with, in Romero’s words, the intentional and representative involvement of community stakeholders.

Linda McNulty

Save the heart of Reid Park — March 8, 2021

I am writing as a neighbor to Reid Park, retiree, snowbird, lover of nature and open spaces. My husband and I purchased our home here a year ago which is half a block from the park.

We liked the proximity to the park and the amenities it offers.

We like to walk, sit under the shade of the old-growth trees, bird-watch and enjoy the turtles, geese and ducks cavorting in the two large ponds.

Upon learning of the planned zoo expansion into Reid Park consuming 3.5 acres and destroying the south pond, Barnum Hill and the old-growth trees, I immediately joined the local grassroots group Save the Heart of Reid Park, which has protested the zoo’s planned encroachment.

Our open green spaces are even more precious, now more than ever, in light of the threats of climate change and the pandemic.

I urge all Tucsonans to speak out against this land grab!

Susan Jones

A compromise on Barnum Hill is obvious — March 7, 2021

The zoo tries to paint “Save the Heart of Reid Park” (of which I am a member) as being opposed to zoo expansion. We just want to save this wonderful place for the public.

The zoo decided it could use public money to take public land for itself.

Thank you, Mayor Regina Romero, for standing up for the public. You have restored my faith in government.

The obvious answer is to build somewhere else.

Robert McNeil

Save Barnum Hill, but clean the park up — March 7, 2021

This week my husband and I took a walk around the duck pond at Reid Park. The ducks seemed happy enough, but we couldn’t help but notice the nasty mix of trash,bottles, leaves and even a bit of oil on the top of the thick ugly muck on one end of the pond. The water looked filthy, actually.

And there swimming in this goop, were many good-sized turtles! It was sickening and sad. Not only that, but these turtles had no place to climb out of the “water.”

I am opposed to the zoo taking part of the park. Leave it for the public! Our midtown area needs more green space, not less.

Teresa Davis

Zoo violates process, wastes public funds — March 6, 2021

Why does the Zoological Society believe they should not have to adhere to the established democratic process? If the Zoological Society wanted to ensure the tax money went to a specific plan that gave them the ability to expand to a specific area, they needed to disclose the specific plan to the voters as part of the proposition in the actual ballot. They did not. Therefore the city is still bound by Plan Tucson, which has specific parks and recreation policies requiring several public hearings prior to the adoption, re-adoption or major amendment of a master plan. The required Planning Commission hearings, Mayor and Council hearing, and noticed Mayor or Council vote have yet to take place on the Reid Park Zoo Master Plan and the Reid Park Master Plan. People have every right to be appalled by this violation of process. The Zoological Society needs to be accountable for upholding democratic processes. Their negligence has cost Tucson substantial tax payer money and risked the loss of a cultural gem.

Wendy Sampson

Zoo officials promise to voters — March 5, 2021

In 2017 the public voted for zoo improvements that came with the promise the funding would only be used for improvements, maintenance and operations. At some point it became expansion, and that is a broken promise.

It was a hidden agenda, and now we have political games.

One would think after voting to give the zoo millions in public tax funds for improvements, they would be very thankful and show some gesture of gratitude. Instead, zoo officials turn around and now try to take 3.5 acres of free-access public park and then charge admission. Surely they can understand we feel bamboozled. With this take, take, take process.

Steve Kozachik continues to try to blame voters.

By the promise of zoo officials, the zoo should not expand at all; that process was a sham. They probably will be allowed to, just NOT TO THE WEST.

Mike Ankomeus

Barnum Hill microbiome — March 5, 2021

I cannot understand why the intention to cut down over 120 mature and healthy trees, yes, professionally certified healthy trees, is not enough of an argument alone to stop the zoo’s expansion plan in Reid Park. Barnum Hill and the South Duck Pond are not just features of a public park, they are established and biologically diverse ecosystems that directly affect the health of every visitor to them. Human digestion, mental health, and immune function are 100% dependent upon the billions of beneficial bacteria that reside in our gut. As in any optimum ecosystem, biodiversity is no less important inside us. Nature will provide the microbes in great abundance, but that requires from us physical presence in established natural settings, breathing there, touching soil, trees, plants, in a word, getting DIRTY. The notion that those areas can be “replaced” in another area of the park is quite simply blind to the interdependence of life impacted by the plan.

Jack McDaniel

Reid Park land grab — March 1, 2021

Re: the Feb. 14 article “Small group should not derail zoo improvements.”

This article was very biased, disingenuous and just plain offensive.

They state that the plans were detailed in seven public meetings, but were the meetings’ dates and times saturated in local media? In today’s media technology, there is no excuse for this oversight.

Why weren’t surrounding neighborhood associations notified so they could have disseminated this information? As a founding president for a neighborhood association next door to Reid Park, I am aware of the tactics that are used to advance an agenda. I’ve seen them used for traffic mitigation, roundabouts, speed tables, landscaping, etc. These tactics count on citizen apathy or just plain lack of time for involvement.

The wording on the zoo proposition was not specific as to the land grab or it would have been easily defeated. It barely passed by a small percentage.

Mayor and Council needs to listen to their constituents and amend this debacle.

May God bless Tucson.

Ivo Ortiz

Barnum Hill teaches motor skills — March 1, 2021

The watercourse on Barnum Hill is not only beautiful, it provides elements that make enormous contributions to the development of children!

I have watched my own grandchildren and hundreds of others as they take the tiny steps across the steppingstones. Then they progress to the larger steps and then to the ones where they will have to land on an uneven surface.

They learn balance and motor planning and gain strength and self-confidence. And they have fun doing so. In a world in which kids have too much screen time, it is unconscionable to remove such a valuable resource from public use.

Jane Stockton

We can’t loose Reid Park to zoo expansion — March 1, 2021

I recently learned Reid Park is due to lose one of the best locations within the park to be taken by the zoo. This is outrageous and classist. Not everyone can afford to purchase a ticket to the zoo just to absorb the local scenery. I have yet to speak to any of our community members that actually approve of this loss. It will be a real misfortune if it is allowed to proceed.

Orion Whitlatch

Go see Reid Park, before it changes — March 1, 2021

Given the controversy surrounding Barnum Hill and the duck pond being lost when the zoo expands, I visited this area for the first time today. The grass on Barnum Hill appears dead, but everything else is very much alive.

The ducks (and geese), the trees, the families, the children, the couples, and the single people, like me. Kids feeding the ducks, toddlers chasing them, a photographer making a close-up image of the waterfall, and families out for a stroll. People everywhere, the sound of running water, and some incredibly tall trees.

To the south are a picnic area, playground equipment, and a parking lot covered with solar panels. Things that could potentially be moved and upgraded in the process.

Before it’s gone, I urge everyone to stop and see what will be lost. It’s not trivial, and I can understand why there is an effort to save this place. I don’t know if it’s too late, but it’s probably worth exploring the alternatives. It’s also worth a visit.

Tony Kuyper

The Reid Park Barnum Hill issue — February 24, 2021

The Zoo and Barnum Hill issue has its pros and cons, but the key question is whether the ballot proposition 202, which very narrowly passed, was properly worded so voters would realize the full implications of their votes.

Only recently did the Zoo's intent to take over Barnum Hill become generally known. Many voters, who are now protesters, have stated they would have voted differently had they realized what was at stake. The Save the Heart of Reid Park protest group immediately sprung up and quickly now has over 25,000 and counting petition signatures.

The Zoo was the party which initiated and was to benefit from Prop. 202. Whether intentionally or negligently, the Zoo failed in its duty to present to voters in a clear way its plan to take over Barnum Hill and pond. Nor should it be allowed to do so given the circumstances and facts.

Robert Lenoir

The healthy heart of Reid Park doesn’t need replacing — February 24, 2021*

When I read the proposals to replace Barnum Hill and the South Pond and re-create them in a new location elsewhere in the park, I shake my head in disbelief.

Relocating Barnum Hill and the South Pond seems as logical as replacing your own healthy heart with a transplant because someone else wants your healthy heart.

Imagine seeing your cardiologist and being told he’s met with another patient, a patient who is also one of his golfing buddies, and this golfing buddy wants your healthy heart. After a lengthy silence, your cardiologist informs you it’s a done deal and you should just quietly relinquish your strong, healthy heart to his buddy. You’re already on the heart transplant list. The transplant surgery will be scheduled when a donor heart is available. In time, he states reassuringly, you’ll be as good as new, maybe.

Never mind you risk death during a grueling surgery. Never mind the unbelievable pain and the ugly permanent scars. Never mind the lengthy recovery and life-long dependence on immunosuppressant drugs to prevent rejection of the transplant. Just be happy! You get a replacement heart, and one day it might function nearly as well as your heart now assigned to someone who has more power than you and covets your healthy heart.

When you protest, “No, I will not agree to this,” your cardiologist counters that in time you’ll recover and be almost as good as you were with your now healthy, strong heart. When you insist firmly, “I prefer to keep my own healthy heart,” he reminds you it’s what you agreed to when you signed up for yearly exams in his office to monitor your heart health.

Barnum Hill and the South Pond are the Heart of Reid Park. That heart is a healthy, thriving ecosystem. It doesn’t need to be moved and re-created elsewhere. It needs to be preserved. It is strong and thriving as it is now, where it is now. No replacement surgery is needed.

The thousands of people who enjoy the 3.5 acres that are Barnum Hill and the South Pond show how healthy and necessary this area is as an open, free public space. There is no transplanting it! You don’t replace a healthy heart! Period!

The Reid Park Zoo can find another area for expansion. Plenty of open, unused spaces are available. Leave the hill and pond as they are. If the Zoo agrees to expand into another area, we’ll have two fantastic places to visit: the new Zoo expansion and our beloved Barnum Hill, South Pond, stream and waterfall—all under the canopy of beautiful mature trees. Then it becomes a huge win-win!

Suzanne Vetek

*Letter posted on Save the Heart of Reid Park Facebook page; edited here for brevity.

Zoo expansion is a big mistake — February 23, 2021

My fiancé and I visited Barnum Hill and the duck ponds on Valentine’s Day for the first time. It was filled with families, couples picnicking, dogs playing . . . and no one playing video games!

They were outside, in the fresh air, laughing, frolicking and being joyful. It was a wonderful sight indeed.

It is my opinion that taking away Barnum Hill and the duck ponds and waterfall would be an egregious error to our city park. Considering job loss, the COVID pandemic, rent problems, working from home, school upheaval, removing a place of family solace would be an egregious error.

There has to be a Plan B for the 3½-acre “Pathway to Asia” exhibit. We saw empty ball fields. Perhaps they can be repurposed. If they are not immediately adjacent to the zoo, a gondola could be built.

I agree that zoo upgrades are both beneficial and vital, but city planners need to remember that our residents need free recreation to continue family togetherness.

Karen Kos

Zoo continues to lie to you — February 20, 2021

Lying by omission is still a lie. The thing the zoo doesn't admit when they point to the sunk costs of their bad plans:

1. It was their choice to design something that is clearly unacceptable. The kids at the park would say "they started it!" :)

2. This isn't a lot of money for a city of our size. If you worry about wasting tax dollars, I don't blame you, but there are bigger issues that will make you think changing the zoo’s plans aren't a big deal. Look at how much was spent on a single TPD settlement last year. (It's a lot!)

3. That amount is spread over all their designs and projects, much of which is unrelated to the loss of public park space, so they are exaggerating the amount "lost" if they change their plans specific to the hill.

Their plans are a business plan, plain and simple, to put themselves in a position to acquire even more land to the south.

Lee Sharp

Let’s be honest — February 20, 2021

“The minute a person whose word means a great deal to others dare to take the open-hearted and courageous way, many others follow.” ~ Marian Anderson

It would be wonderful to see the City and the Zoo own their mistakes and make a plan that doesn't hurt the City Park. Recent research on Social Capital shows honorable living impacts the City's functionality directly. Part of social capital is being courageous to admit mistakes and play fair. Can the Zoo and the City do it? Time will tell, but there's no time like the present!

Amanda Smith

Destruction in Reid Park for zoo expansion — February 19, 2021

While I appreciate the value of zoos and understand the desire to expand Tucson’s, the notion that a beautiful and popular spot like Barnum Hill needs to be sacrificed for it makes no sense. There are other spots within the park that could also accommodate the expansion. Furthermore, the idea that a new hill can be built, while well intentioned, is seriously misguided. Those huge eucalyptus and Aleppo pines are irreplaceable in the lifetime of many of us living today. At the rate of a foot a year for an Aleppo pine, a 10-foot new tree would take about three generations to reach their height. Why, when we already have such beauties, should we want to start over? Barnum Hill simply cannot be replaced. Let’s rethink where the zoo expansion can go and save that beautiful spot for the many who love and enjoy it.

Bonnie Wehle

Reid Park Zoo — February 19, 2021

I am not a fan of zoos. Maybe part of my opinion on the subject relates to the fact that my husband and I went on safari in Africa. Wild animals in Africa look and act healthy and content. The sick and injured get eaten.

I believe we should let local folk keep their park, as they obviously and happily take advantage of the natural area that it provides. The animals seen in the area in question are free to come and go as they please . . . a much more informative way for kids to learn about animals. Children don’t really learn much of anything about tigers just by seeing them trapped in a cage. Any cage, no matter how large, is nowhere near a replica of an animal’s natural habitat.

I know the argument commonly given in favor of zoos is that they help prevent endangered species from becoming extinct. Zoos don’t mention the fact that most of their animals are not endangered. They are merely caged.

Sue Thompson

The real Zoo expansion problem — February 19, 2021

When I read the pro-Zoo letters, it infuriates me how they dance around the real issue. They expanded to the wrong place!

If the new exhibit were built on a piece of the golf course or a parking lot, we would be happy for them. Instead, they decided it was OK to use public money to take the nicest part of the nicest park in town for their own purposes.

They had to know people would object. If they had done effective public outreach, 25,000 people would not have signed a petition against it.

The City/Zoo needs to admit they screwed up and start over. Their policy of arrogance and entitlement needs to stop.

Robert McNeil

Re: the Feb. 12. article “Zoo Officials: Small group should not derail Reid Park Zoo improvements for everyone.” — February 18, 2021

The Tucson Zoo claims that a "small group" opposes their plans to eliminate the north duck pond and take Barnum Hill for the expansion plans for a tiger habitat. So far, over 28,000 Tucsonans have signed a petition to stop these plans. Whenever our family has visited the zoo, it's always included a visit to the duck pond. I'm heartbroken that an organization that claims to care for animals will eliminate a habitat for hundreds of ducks, which you can feed and interact with, in favor of a habitat for only two tigers which can be only seen at a distance. There are ample areas in Reid Park that are lightly used. If the zoo managers really loved and respected animals, all animals, they'd rethink their plans.

Robert Heacock

Re: the Feb. 14 article "Small group should not derail zoo improvements."— February 16, 2021

I was one of those voters who voted FOR the zoo “improvements!” Of course I want the zoo to thrive. The proposition I voted for had not a word about taking away the most lovely part of the park OR cutting down old growth trees; about displacing creatures and compromising OUR and future generations enjoyment of OUR public natural space. I MOST want Reid Park to remain accessible to all Tucson residents and visitors. The park is public, the zoo is not. The park has an established continuity of history; a body of physical experience, that generations of Tucsonans have enjoyed. This domain should never be usurped by the zoo venue. We are not an angry few! There are over 25000 signatures on the petition to halt the development process! The impact would be just too great to the park, plants, people and natural creatures to continue without abating. Tucsonans have every right to keep what is ours. The funding was not transparent or it never would have passed.

Beth Jonquil

Organisms versus Organizations — February 16, 2021

Natural organisms grow for a while, reach their peak and then shrink. Organizations, on the other hand, don’t know when to stop. They don’t have the checks and balances of nature. They feel they must continue to grow, or they will lose status and become irrelevant.

The zoo is an excellent example of not understanding the difference between progress and growth. Progress would mean the zoo understanding its place as an asset in the park instead of becoming a predator of the park.

If the zoo absorbs Barnum Hill, it would eventually take the entire south end of the park. This is about sustainability as well as social and environmental justice.

Old trees with tree canopy equity are incredibly valuable, especially in the desert during an increasing heat crisis. Barnum Hill is historic and sacred to our citizens. The wildlife is longstanding and lovely.

Nothing west of Lakeshore Lane or south of the north Duck Pond for zoo expansion.

Manon Getsi, Co-chair, Save the Heart of Reid Park

Please contact me when the legal petition is ready for signatures. I will gladly add mine. — February 16, 2021

Many thanks to whoever left a save the heart of the park leaflet in my door this morning. First I heard of this outrage, and I live just two blocks south of the duck pond area slated for destruction. Bought my home here nearly 40 years ago in large part because of the close proximity to the park. It’s a sanctuary, a place of respite and shady delight for all life in this midtown community and unlike the zoo, there’s no entrance fee. Why is it that we are informed of plans for bike paths and the like, invited to meetings for such changes in our neighborhood, but received no such communication from the city about this? I have marked my calendar to attend the peaceful protest on the 28th.

Louise Olson

Barnum Hill and Reid Park’s small pond: nothing compares — February 15, 2021

During the pandemic, my young children have become avid birders, thanks in no small part to our frequent visits to Barnum Hill and the small pond in Reid Park. They can quickly get around this pond to better observe a bird landing on the opposite side. They've practiced gross motor skills climbing rocks around the waterfall and leaping over stones. We've picnicked under trees on hot summer evenings, enjoying sunset over one of the most pavement-free views in midtown. Where else in midtown does the public have this available? Even the adjacent large pond, edged in concrete, is a stark contrast to the stone-edged small pond rimmed with mature trees.

Greenspaces are crucial to mental and physical health, and Tucson has very few. These irreplaceable areas are a public good, and the need for public greenspaces has never been greater. Let’s not be a city that would rather breed Malayan tigers (Tiger King, anyone?) than preserve—or better yet, enhance—a beloved urban oasis for its residents.

Madeleine deBlois

Zoo talk is addressing wrong issue — February 14, 2021

Isn't it ironic that after a year of being stuck in their houses, people will find respite by going to the zoo to see animals in cages? It’s disgusting to keep animals imprisoned for our entertainment. And don't even mention the word conservation. In 2019, Reid Park Zoo spent $40,635 on conservation out of the nearly $10 million it made in support and revenue. What a pitifully low number. The miniscule amount of conservation done by the zoo does not morally justify its operation.

The zoo also touts its educational programs. Luckily, we've learned this year that almost any education can be done online. If people want to learn about wild or nonnative animals, they can find endless photos, videos, and articles on the internet.

We shouldn't be discussing the expansion of Reid Park Zoo. We should be discussing the ethics of keeping it open at all. The animals at the zoo should be found places at animal sanctuaries and the zoo should close its doors.

Billie Lubis

Barnum Hill vs. Zoo — February 13, 2021

This is in response to those who think zoo expansion would benefit all Tucsonans. I am a 79-year-old white middle-class male who has learned some things about white privilege. Well- meaning middle- to upper-middle-class whites value things in relation to their situation, and in this case are convinced that expanding the zoo would be good for all, not realizing that a number of Tucsonans can't afford the zoo. Those people can, however, go to and enjoy Barnum Hill and the lake. This kind of privileged myopia is common in many areas.

John Morgan

City is abandoning residents on zoo issue — February 11, 2021

Some readers have expressed their support for the Reid Park Zoo expansion, which would take away one of the duck ponds and Barnum Hill.

They perceive the public outrage against this project as a direct attack against the zoo, which is not the point at all. Who would be opposed to a zoo? Kids and families love to see those wild animals in reality. The only issue is that the zoo could expand to the north, east, or south but it should not take away a critically important natural space open to and free for all citizens.

The Tucson City Council blindly defers to the voters’ decision in 2017, but now 25,000 voters have signed a petition to block this development. The ballot had passed with just a few hundred votes in favor when virtually no one had known at that time that the zoo intended to take away the pond and the hill. Such a move would be hypocrisy in supreme and create bitterness between the public and the zoo.

Albrecht Classen

Reid Park Zoo expansion a mistake — February 10, 202

Shortly after the opening of the African elephant exhibit, which resulted in the loss of over 12 acres of fee-free park space, the Expand Reid Park movement correctly surmised that the zoo would soon need more space for future expansion.

A plan was formulated to convert portions of the Randolph Golf Complex into open park space for free, unimpeded use by Tucson’s families and provide room for future Zoo enhancements. Reactions were mixed, but it was hoped the resulting dialogue would demonstrate to the city the importance of Reid Park to Tucson’s families.

Passing by the slim margin of 633 votes, the unquestionably misleading proposition cited by the city and the zoo to justify this latest land-grab in no way constitutes a mandate. We urge both parties to put the brakes on expansion until the Arizona Attorney General’s Office completes their review of this egregious act, and a more thorough process is instituted that includes better public involvement in decisions concerning the use of public park space.

Peter Polley

We can do better by Reid Park — February 10, 2021

Re: the Feb. 3 article “City of Tucson must stop takeover of Reid Park pond, hill.”

We have an unfortunate trend. When I read Tim Steller’s opinion piece, I am reminded of how our leaders fall short in protecting our communities. This happens not only in regard to public spaces that our tax dollars fund, but also with programs that are funded by our tax dollars.

Our “justice system” can do better. During this pandemic, many of our loved ones are incarcerated, even though research shows that punishment is not an effective deterrent to many of the “crimes” that folks are incarcerated for. Through love and rigor, including healthy and free park spaces, we can have healthier and safer communities.

I did vote for the tax increase in 2017. I love our Reid Park Zoo for many reasons. However, I did not agree to privatizing our park space. Please speak up against this trend. Our leaders can’t do the right thing if we don’t speak up. Protect our parks. Protect our people.

Felicia Chew

Imagine taking all this from a child — February 9, 2021

Imagine you’re a kid. You haven’t been to school in a long time. Your parents are struggling to feed you because they have both lost their jobs. You miss your friends and you miss the nice old man next door. But every afternoon your parents walk you across 22nd Street so you can go over and play near the ducks! You make little boats out of leaves and watch them float down the waterfall. You point out all of the different kinds of birds. You look for your favorite duck. He’s got a wing that sticks out in a funny way. His name is Quacky. It’s cool here and you like the big trees. Your dad shows you where he carved your mom’s name into one of the biggest trees when they were in high school. You love it here!

Now, imagine you’re the Tucson Zoo and you’re going to take all of this away from that kid. Really? Is it worth it?

Carol Fenn

Please save heart of Reid Park — February 8, 2021

My memories of Barnum Hill stretch far back. I can hear my months-old son giggling as we laid on the grass underneath the trees, watched the ducks, enjoyed a picnic. I can see my dog’s big, goofy smile as we climbed the hill, wound our way around the south duck pond, and back up the hill over and over again. I can remember get-togethers with friends and solo moments of quiet and relaxation in those same spots.

It’s heartbreaking to think that this free, public space will be torn down to make way for a zoo expansion. I love the zoo, but the heart of Reid Park is for everyone, not just those who can afford to get in. Parks are indispensable. They provide solace to so many, improve the quality of life, connect us to nature and provide endless opportunities to build memories. It would be devastating to lose Barnum Hill in the name of expansion.

Holly Schaffer

Compromise could save Barnum Hill, trees — February 8, 2021

I would like to suggest another compromise. Spend extra time and money to redesign the Asia section and build it in the area northeast of the larger north pond. That saves Barnum Hill and the old trees. The road between the ponds and the current zoo has to be taken anyway.

The long-range solution is to buy land outside the current park or take land away from the sport fields and the golf course, which are assumed to be bigger revenue-producers than the zoo.

John G. Higgins

Re: the Jan. 29 “Letter: Save Reid Park” — February 8, 2021

As a Tucson Native, this park brings many warm memories of my childhood, my children and now my grand babies. This lake is so well known as a place to relax while taking a stroll watching the ducks and enjoying being outdoors enjoying the tranquility the lake brings. This park represents Tucsonans in one shape or form. We must NOT destroy it!

Yolanda Cintron

Re: the Jan. 31 article "Reid Park supporters: Zoo expansion should halt for now." — February 6, 2021

Studies have indicated that having an urban park nearby is associated with the same mental health benefit as decreasing local unemployment rates by two percentage points. Often imagined as "empty space," local parks actually fill a major role in maintaining public health, especially during this pandemic. 

When the City of Tucson decided to privatize a beloved area of Reid Park to expand the zoo facilities, those who benefited from this public health resource appear to have been ignored. Over 22,000 residents are now protesting this taking of public space, which means that any outreach endeavor that may have taken place during the planning phase failed to reach a significant proportion of Tucson's population. 

I think we can all agree that the zoo is an important Tucson amenity, but surely there must be other design options for the planned expansion. It's time to stop and rethink a plan that is so harmful to the larger community. 

Helen Erickson MLA, Lecturer, College of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture (CAPLA)

Zoo expansion plan not voted upon; unlawful — February 4, 2021

City Officials and the Zoological Society claim the zoo expansion plan to take Reid Park’s Barnum Hill and South Duck Pond was voted upon in the 2017 election under Propositions 202 and 203. Public records show there were no agenda items to adopt a zoo plan in 2017, there was no language on the ballot to approve a plan in 2017, and there was no plan available for public view in 2017. Furthermore, the current Zoo Master Plan was not created until 2018. According to Plan Tucson and the Zoo Management Agreement, all proposed and amended plans to Tucson Parks must be identified in an agenda item and adopted by the council. Public record shows there has been no notice of an agenda item to adopt a plan for Reid Park or the Reid Park Zoo. Current evidence available shows the Zoo Master Plan process is in violation of the Open Meetings Law and moving forward with this plan is unlawful.

Wendy Sampson

Reid Park Mistake In Offing — February 4, 2021

In another time and place, I was a County Parks and Recreation Commissioner.

I would not vote then, nor would I vote now to: #1. charge a fee for entry to any portion of a County Park or #2. make a Park smaller in area than it already was. Public Parks are for the people who have no gardens or trees, for people who cannot afford even a patio. Public Parks are for everyone. If the governing body cannot keep up the areas that are public, they should arrange another method of support.

Tucson has a lovely Zoo which is supported by individuals of means. The City has control of a large area of “parkland” which can be used to expand the zoo. To subtract the plot under question should be unthinkable. I would suggest that in the future a City Commission be established to oversee the parklands of Tucson, so that public areas are given the attention and care they deserve.

Patricia ChaseBergen

Save our park — January 29, 2021

We have been zoo members since we moved here 18 years ago and love and support our zoo. However, we don’t support the expansion for a new tiger enclosure. We have had countless hours of enjoyment at Reid Park, a free place to expose our grandkids to nature and enjoy green space in the middle of the city . Many cannot afford the zoo. Can we steal their oasis for tigers? I think not. Please save our duck pond and relaxing green space. Asking zoo to come up with a different plan.

Judi Bach

Don't build on Reid Park please! — January 29, 2021

I used to live in Tucson, and I would take my two kids to Reid Park and watch the ducks and turtles. It was the one place that didn't charge a fee. A place where I could breath the fresh air, hear the birds sing, and escape the stress of work in life. It would be heartbreaking to see Reid Park gone.

Please don't turn Reid Park into a zoo.

Raquel Torres

Improve the park within its existing footprint — January 26, 2021

I am horrified that plans for the Reid Park Zoo to annex and remove the Barnum Hill streams and duck pond using taxpayer money are moving ahead despite major public opposition. Had the description for the narrowly approved Zoo improvements sales tax included anything about annexation, it would not have passed.

Over 23,000 have signed a change.org petition opposing this destruction. Zoo administrators and Tucson's elected leaders must listen and make improvements within the existing footprint of the Zoo, perhaps by developing the parking area after constructing a multistory garage.

James Angel

Zoo expansion unnecessarily problematic — January 18, 2021

Reid Park was a major factor in where my partner and I decided to buy a home. Not only for us but for many in the community as evidenced by an any-day stroll where many families of varying Tucsonans can be found enjoying themselves.

The Tucson City Council has traded, without full disclosure to the public, aesthetic beauty and inclusivity for public walls of exclusivity. Our wonderful Reid Park, maintained for public use by taxpayer funding, is slowly being reappropriated to private space funded by taxpayers.

Barnum Hill and the more natural duck pond are to be absorbed by the zoo. The DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center is slated to be gated and therefore less available for public use.

The adjoining golf course is a perfect alternative for the expansion.

It is not too late to reroute. It is not too late to put inclusivity above exclusivity.

Thank you,

Respectfully,

David F

A master disaster of a plan — January 14, 2021

The Reid Park Zoo Master Plan is contrary to the public interest in so many ways that only the photos, stories and pleas of the over 20,000 people who have spoken out about this over the past two months can begin to describe.

I believe the people have been deceived into allowing the city to destroy a sacred place, the heart of Reid Park, only to convert it from a free-access public park to a paid-access zoo. People who live in the inner-city need this free access open space now more than ever before. Yet it’s as though the city wants to charge us just to walk out our front door.

Mike Ankomeus

Zoo and City need to acknowledge failed process — December 30, 2020

I am writing because I supported the tax increase for the zoo, but would not have voted for it had I known the zoo would use the money to take more of Reid Park away from the public, especially the unique and historic area of Barnum Hill.

I think our tax money should go to desperately needed improvements to public park spaces that every citizen can enjoy, and that's what I voted in favor of — not a tiger enclosure that people will have to pay to access and that takes land away from the park. If the zoo were really interested in the public's input, they would reevaluate their plan.

LeeAnn Campos

Reid Park — December 26, 2020

Susan Hopf's letter about Reid Park misses the mark on several points. We who oppose the loss of the Park's Barnum Hill and south pond aren't fighting against tiger conservation or Zoo expansion. The issue is that the area chosen to be destroyed for zoo expansion is the jewel of Reid Park. It needn't be either/or. Alternative areas, such as that to the immediate east of the Zoo could easily accommodate its goals without taking public open green space. The publicity she cites on the Zoo Expansion Plan focused on improved inclosures and acquisition of new, Asian animals. No publicity described usurping this area of Reid Park itself, nor would it ever occur to most park users that these beautiful 3.5 acres could be sacrificed for the Zoo.

Jan Bell

Zoo and City need to acknowledge failed process — December 17, 2020

would have never voted for Props 202 and 203 had I known the zoo was going to use the money to take green space away from the public. Why are they taking the most beautiful part of Reid Park? I see families there every day watching the ducks and turtles and running up and down the shaded hill. The zoo and the city should prioritize natural and fee-free areas for families to enjoy nature in peace. From the descriptions, all decisions were made under a misleading description of “Zoo Master Plan.” City officials need to own their part in the disaster this process has become. If you are going to take away cherished green space, you need to inform people and describe what is at stake.

Wendy Sampson

Re: the Dec. 13 article "Zoo expansion at Reid Park wrests away a cherished spot.' — December 15, 2020

Tim Steller wrote an interesting and informative column last Sunday. He related that the proposition that passed in 2017 made no mention of zoo area expansion. He also mentioned that the proposition passed by fewer than 900 votes.

About a month ago I contacted Ward 2 councilman Paul Cunningham’s office since it is the city council that has ultimate responsibility for administration of city property. I received the following reply:

The people of Tucson voted to expand the zoo to include Barnum Hill. I was told that there were dozens of meetings prior to the decision and that I should have made my objections at that time.

During 2017 and 2018 I lived one half block south of Reid Park and never heard of any meetings. It doesn't sound like Tim Steller heard about them either. Were the announcements only passed out at the zoo? Were the only people who attended zoo employees and donors?

Thomas Wenzel

The colonization of Reid Park — December 15, 2020

As Tim Steller correctly observes in his article on the expansion of the Reid Park Zoo (Dec. 13, 2020), this constitutes a form of mean colonization and represents an utter disrespect of the citizens of Tucson. Moreover, as I would like to add, the Zoo thereby contradicts its own premises of promoting nature and wildlife. It is deceptive of the Zoo to claim that the take-over of the duck pond and Barnum Hill was voter approved when most of us never learned about that crucial detail. Further, it is very hypocritical when a zoo deliberately destroys a crucial natural habitat for ducks, turtles, and fish, dearly loved by all Tucson children and their parents, in order to expand its acreage for exotic animals you can see only when you pay the high entrance fee and enter an artificial, unnatural environment. The duck pond is soothing for the soul of heat-parched Tucsonans, and to take it away, cutting the trees as well, is a cruel stab into our hearts.

Albrecht Classen

Reid Park preservation needed now — December 15, 2020

Thank you Tim Steller for your article (December 13) about the plan to destroy the south pond in Reid Park to accommodate the zoo expansion. I’ve lived in Tucson for more than thirty years and I’ve visited Reid Park hundreds of times, but I’ve never once visited the zoo. What attracts me to the Park is its central location, its water features and wildlife, but most importantly, free access and space to stroll around the ponds and wander among the trees. It is one of the few places within the city where people, especially those with low incomes, can find respite and enjoy a little bit of nature. To enclose a large portion of our precious commons and force people to pay for admission is a travesty.

Thomas H Greco

Save the heart of Reid Park — December 14, 2020

When I tell people the zoo is planning to take out Barnum Hill, the south pond and all the trees around the pond, they think I am kidding. It is a part of their childhood and family life, and they can't believe the zoo would do this, and wonder why they haven't heard about it? The pond and hill are an oasis in the middle of the desert and a great, free place for parents to take their kids and show them the ducks and turtles. The waterfall is a great place to have your picture taken.

Is the zoo so powerful they can do whatever they want to the rest of the park without consulting the public? I thought the park belongs to the people.

Robert McNeil

Barnum Hill — November 28, 2020

Recently there have been many letters that showed dissatisfaction with the transfer of Barnum Hill to the Reid Park Zoo for zoo expansion. I conducted an internet search and discovered that both the zoo and Reid Park are owned by the city. The City Council is responsible for all assets, including the park and zoo, owned by the city. If you are unhappy with this transfer, call or write your city councilman.

Thomas Wenzel

Save the duck pond — November 21, 2020

Save the duck pond and Barnum Hill. The duck pond has always been my family's favorite part of the park. We should also keep Barnum Hill, named for Willis Barnum, who facilitated the creation of the park by purchasing the land when the city had no funds, and selling it to the city in installments at the same price. Besides having an intense interest in golf, Mr. Barnum served on the local draft board during and after WW II. He was also my wife's grandfather.

Bruce Billings

Protect Reid Park — November 19, 2020

The Star's enthusiastic article on the expansion of the Zoo is not the whole story. We need equal information on the accompanying destruction of 3.5 beloved acres of Reid Park—specifically its south duck pond and Barnum Hill. Only one sentence, a caption and an uninformative photo are afforded to that topic. Zoo expansion is great, but please don't swipe land from the Park. As central Tucson becomes ever more crowded, publicly accessible open space and greenery is ever more precious; it is non-renewable. This pond and Barnum Hill, a natural setting surrounded by majestic trees, have been enjoyed by generations of Tucsonans, for free. Let's respect Reid Park and explore the available alternatives for zoo expansion that don't intrude on green space. Making the zoo better should not be at the expense of Park space that should remain open and free to the public.

Jan Bell

Save the heart of Reid Park — November 17, 2020

I am a 15-year resident of the Julia Keen neighborhood, a teacher, and a longtime volunteer at the Tucson Wildlife Rescue Center. Why is the Daily Star reluctant to ask the Reid Park Zoo why they are spending millions of our tax dollars to destroy an invaluable and environmentally sensitive swath of Reid Park - the Heart of the Park, in fact? The false narrative by Zoo CEO [Nancy Kluge] is full of holes. There was no honest outreach to stakeholders in the surrounding neighborhoods. She continues to claim to have held "100 meetings" on this blatant land grab, which is astonishing. These "public meetings" involved ONLY the Zoological Society — not the community.

It is devastating to think that our beloved Duck Pond and Barnum Hill will be bulldozed, old growth, rare trees will be cut down, migratory bird habitat leveled, and a rare urban oasis will meet its demise.

Saba Bennett

Loss of Reid Park area the problem — November 13, 2020

Advocates for Reid Park Zoo expansion don't get it. (Re. Nov.10, 2020 op-ed “Goings-on at zoo and park: Don't worry, ducks are safe.”) It's not the ducks; it's the loss of park area for public use in the City's residential center. The City continues to allow Reid Park to be nibbled away, but it has no master plan to add any nearby park area to compensate for the loss. In a City already well below national standards for percentage of land allotted for public parks, that is a problem.

Mental health experts advocate the benefits of people spending time in nature to reduce stress. A zoo experience may address that need, but a visit there for a family of four, 2 adults and 2 children aged 2-14, costs $34 admission.

Any loss of free public accessible park area , with or without ducks, should be troubling to the entire community.

Ruth Beeker

THE LETTER THAT ALERTED THE COMMUNITY — November 6, 2020*

*** A special thank you to Bonnie Wehle for this letter informing the public of what she learned from a park employee ***

Today personnel at Reid Park began the process of fencing off and draining the duck pond. As I understand it from park staff, the plan is to remove the pond, trees and hill and erect a new building for the zoo in that space. This move, of which the public has gotten little or no notice that I know of, will disrupt about 200 ducks of various species, egrets, herons and probably a dozen turtles that call it home, and impair the enjoyment of birdwatchers, walkers, and families with children who are refreshed and inspired by their interaction with this wonderful resource. Surely there were other spots in the park for the new building.

Why have I seen nothing in the paper or heard anything on the news about this? It appears to me that the destruction of this beautiful spot is being slipped in on us when our attention is elsewhere. I for one am devastated and very angry.

Bonnie Wehle

*Letter inexplicably removed from the Star’s website two days later.