The new Leonard Wilkening Children’s Gallery at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory will be the epicenter for kids’ experiential learning. Children are able to learn about the circle of life through hands-on activities, creative play and interactive stations. The Children's Gallery, a new permanent exhibit, opens April 19, 2008.
The Children's Gallery allows children to explore five educational, fun and interactive play zones. Kids can get their hands wet with a water play station that illustrates evaporation; or play the food chain game with colorfully illustrated blocks, or roll up their sleeves and work as a gardener or zookeeper while identifying natural habitats.
The new Children's Gallery is made possible by the generous support of the Como Zoo and Conservatory Society. The Children's Gallery is named in honor of Leonard Wilkening to thank him for all his work to improve Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Wilkening helped found the Como Zoo and Conservatory Society, served as its Board Chair for many years and lead the Society through the successful completion of the capital campaign that resulted in the Visitor Center and Tropical Encounters.
In celebration to the opening of Children's Gallery, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory will be celebrating Party for the Planet, April 19-Earth Day April 22. Como is teaming up with other AZA-accredited zoos, to host a nation-wide celebration to help visitors discover ways to connect to the local environment to make a collective difference in conservation on a national and global level. Guests will be able to learn more on recycling, water gardens and how to lower energy consumption.
