Scovill Zoo - Decatur, Illinois - small zoo covering 15 acres

Described as a "small but delightful zoo'', Scovill Zoo in Decatur, Illinois features 500 animals in a wide range of natural settings. Established in 1967 with a $14,000 gift from the Decatur Kiwanis Club, the Scovill Zoo has grown to become one of the most popular family-friendly attractions in the area. Most area parents remember visiting the Scovill as children and are delighted to carry on the tradition by returning to the zoo with their own children.

When the zoo opened in 1967, it was an "animal park'' and home to chickens, ducks, pigs, goats and other farm animals. Over the years, the zoo's collection has expanded to include over 500 animals from six different continents and over 100 different species. While you won't find elephants or lions, children will delight in the cheetahs and monkeys, meerkats and camels, lizards, macaws and bearded dragons. All of the animals are housed in open paddocks with the exception of the Herpetarium, where lovers of all things that slither can get to know snakes, lizards and other reptiles.

The animals are only part of the attraction at the Scovill Zoo, though. Just inside the admission gate beyond the gift shop, children are greeted by Project Playground, a community built fully accessible playground for children of all ages and abilities. The playground includes a climbing wall, colorful play structures and a hands-on music lab where kids can try their hands at playing with sound.

The Zoo also features the Z. O. & O. Express, a scaled replica of an 1830s era locomotive and passenger train. The Express was added to the Zoo in 1984, and has carried tens of thousands of visitors through the zoo annually. Wheelchair accessible, the Z.O.& O. Express takes visitors on a mile-long narrated tour of the zoo, giving them a glimpse of the animals from a unique viewpoint. Attractions along the train route include the zoo's pair of cheetahs, Jafari and Runako, as well as a small herd of emu from Australia.

The Zoo's most popular non-animal attraction, however, is the Endangered Species Carousel. Hand-carved and designed especially for the Scovill Zoo, the carousel features 30 hand-carved wooden animals, each of them representing an extinct or endangered species. Located just inside the entrance to the zoo, the Endangered Species Carousel attracts children of all ages with its calliope music and colorful carved steeds and carriages.

The Zoo offers a visiting zoo and other educational outreach programs to the community. Children can also take advantage of summertime Zoo Camps and weekend educational activities geared to specific age groups. Schools and youth groups can schedule group tours and self-guided tours, as well as overnights at the zoo for special occasions and other events.

Scovill Zoo is open daily throughout the year. Hours are seasonal and depend on the weather in many cases. Summer hours are typically longest, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Admission is nominal, with adult admission under $5. For more information on hours, admissions and group rates, contact the Scovill Zoo at 217-421-7435.