Community Members Help Lincoln Children’s Zoo With Groundbreaking Ceremony

Lincoln Children’s Zoo (LincolnZoo.org) officially broke ground on the planned expansion that will bring giraffes, tigers and spider monkeys to Lincoln in 2019. On stage with zoo president & CEO, John Chapo, were over 20 supporters and over 40 children from Christ Kids Preschool. Nearly 350 guests watched as the preschoolers joined Governor Pete Ricketts, Chapo and the others to break ground on the site that will soon be the zoo’s new entrance.

“This is a historic day for our zoo, our community and for the future generations that will pass through our gates,” president & CEO, John Chapo said. Governor Ricketts, Wendy Birdsall of Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, James Anderson of Lincoln Children’s Zoo board of directors and Don Mayhew of the Lincoln Board of Education all spoke about the importance of the zoo’s expansion and its benefit to the growing and thriving city of Lincoln.

Others who took part in the groundbreaking ceremony included: Abel Foundation – Jim, Mary, Jack and Kayla Abel; Acklie Charitable Foundation – Tonn Ostergard and Amanda Ostergard; City of Lincoln Councilman – Roy Christensen; Hausmann Construction – Joey Hausmann; Lancaster County Commissioner – Todd Wiltgen; Lienemann/Abbott Charitable Foundations – Dorothy Pflug and Denise Scholz; Lincoln Children’s Zoo – Evan Killeen; Lincoln Parks & Recreation – Lynn Johnson; Nebraska Environmental Trust – Mark Brohman; Nelnet – Ben Kiser; Pearle Francis Finigan Foundation – Liana Sandin; Union Bank & Trust – Kevin Keller; Zoo Campaign Leadership – Nick Cusick.

For updates and how to give to the Love Your Zoo expansion campaign visit LincolnZoo.org.