jdross, I agree that the fuel tax should be increased to pay for metro transit operations. OKC has the lowest tax in the region, I think it could be marginally increased to fund transit (say even 10 cents per gallon or less).

Larry: I wasn't saying kill the zoo tax, I was saying maybe now would be a good time to revise it since the zoo has benefited and looks like it could now be more self sustaining (particularly if it raised the admission price to a like-wise amount compared to other zoos its size/stature). The 'difference' in the newly named (my name) OKC capital improvements sales tax could be transitioned to other entities that wouldn't otherwise qualify for MAPS. The Zoo should always qualify IMO but perhaps not at the current level given where they are headed (which SHOULD make OKC the top 3 zoo in the country or higher). ...

The Zoo originally promised to keep admission prices down if the 1/8 cent permanent tax was passed.

It has been some 26 years (1990) since the Zoo passed that much appreciated tax. The state of the Oklahoma City Zoo in an Oklahoman article July 9, 1990: http://newsok.com/article/2323433

Admission prices for Zoos in our region:

Dallas Zoo:
$15.00 Adults (age 12-64) , $12.00 Seniors (65+), $12.00 Children (age 3-11), Toddlers (age 2 & under free)

Denver Zoo: (consistently ranked as one of the top 10 zoos in the United States)
$17.00 Adults (Ages 12-64), $14.00 Seniors (Ages 65+), $12.00 Children (Ages 3-11), Toddlers (age 2 & under free)

Fort Worth Zoo: (Often ranked as one of the top 10 zoos in the United States)
$14.00 Adults (13+), $10.00 Children (3-12), Toddlers (age 2 & under free)

Memphis Zoo: (Often ranked as one of the top 10 zoos in the United States)
$15.00 Adults (Ages 12-59), $14.00 Seniors (Age 60+), $10.00 Children (Ages 2-11)'

Oklahoma City Zoo: (Often ranked as one of the top 10 zoos in the United States)
$8.00 for Adults (12-64), $5.00 Seniors (65+), $5.00 Children (3-11) , Toddlers (age 2 & under free)

Omaha (Henry Doorly Zoo): (consistently ranked as one of the top 10 zoos in the United States)
$18.95 Adults (12 & over), $17.95 Seniors (65+), $17.95 Military Adult (12 & over), $11.95 Military Child (3-11), Toddlers (age 2 & under free)

St. Louis zoo: (consistently ranked as one of the top 10 zoos in the United States)
Prices vary per exhibit which range from $2.00 - $5.00 per exhibit
https://www.stlzoo.org/visit/hourspricesdirections/

Tulsa Zoo:
$10 for Adults (12+), $8.00 Seniors (65+), $6.00 Children (3-11) ,Toddlers (age 2 & under free)

Wichita (Sedgwick County Zoo):
$14.95 Adults (ages 12-61) $11.95 Seniors (62+) $9.95 Children (3-11) Toddlers (age 2 & under free)

As you can see, admission prices for competing zoos in our region is twice that of the OKC Zoo. We still have a long way to go. We want to be 'consistently ranked' as one of the top 10 zoos in the United States. Give us until 2020, OKC should make that list.

I'm a Zoofriends member, but I would much rather have us keep the sales tax and remain an $8 Zoo that can be enjoyed by almost everyone in the city. I've been to many of the more expensive Zoos, sometimes paying for parking on top of admission, and with some not letting you bring in outside food or drink.

In Oklahoma City, even without Zoofriends membership, I am able to take a small cooler bag, load it up with drinks and snacks and take my 2 year old out and spend all day at the Zoo for $8 without having to pay for parking or food. And since we have Zoofriends, we have met up with friends or family and ended up paying $16 for 4 adults, 2 toddlers, and 5 kids. All while bringing along a couple of red wagons and an ice chest full of snacks and drinks.

Being funded via the tax vs having to rely on admission is part of what makes our zoo great, in my opinion. For the people in Oklahoma City is is as much a park as it is a zoo, and can be enjoyed by people from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

I'm a Zoofriends member, but I would much rather have us keep the sales tax and remain an $8 Zoo that can be enjoyed by almost everyone in the city. I've been to many of the more expensive Zoos, sometimes paying for parking on top of admission, and with some not letting you bring in outside food or drink.

In Oklahoma City, even without Zoofriends membership, I am able to take a small cooler bag, load it up with drinks and snacks and take my 2 year old out and spend all day at the Zoo for $8 without having to pay for parking or food. And since we have Zoofriends, we have met up with friends or family and ended up paying $16 for 4 adults, 2 toddlers, and 5 kids. All while bringing along a couple of red wagons and an ice chest full of snacks and drinks.

Being funded via the tax vs having to rely on admission is part of what makes our zoo great, in my opinion. For the people in Oklahoma City is is as much a park as it is a zoo, and can be enjoyed by people from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

This! Well said.

I'm a Zoofriends member, but I would much rather have us keep the sales tax and remain an $8 Zoo that can be enjoyed by almost everyone in the city. I've been to many of the more expensive Zoos, sometimes paying for parking on top of admission, and with some not letting you bring in outside food or drink.

In Oklahoma City, even without Zoofriends membership, I am able to take a small cooler bag, load it up with drinks and snacks and take my 2 year old out and spend all day at the Zoo for $8 without having to pay for parking or food. And since we have Zoofriends, we have met up with friends or family and ended up paying $16 for 4 adults, 2 toddlers, and 5 kids. All while bringing along a couple of red wagons and an ice chest full of snacks and drinks.

Being funded via the tax vs having to rely on admission is part of what makes our zoo great, in my opinion. For the people in Oklahoma City is is as much a park as it is a zoo, and can be enjoyed by people from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Amen Bro,

Just want to echo Jeepnokc 's reply, 'Well said!

guys, Im not saying take away the tax; I'm saying maybe revisit it and raise admissions a little bit.

I think OKC could get away nicely with admissions being $10.00 Adult, $7.00 Senior/Military, $5.00 Children 3+ and the tax set at 1/16 (instead of 1/8). That's my opinion but it wouldn't be a huge increase in admissions nor decrease in the tax but would open the funding source to other city venues or infrastructure that also needs a 'permanent' solution.

Again, I think we need to keep the tax - just the rate I'm saying should be revisited at some point.

The rate is really not that much (1/8 cent on the dollar). This was voted a permanent tax back in 1990. Some 26 years ago; inflation has caught up with the buying power of the dollar.

Our OKC Zoo promised the citizens that in return for passing the permanent sales tax; they would keep admission prices low.

The OKC Zoo in our Adventure District attracts a lot of tourists; along with other attractions like the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Remington Park, Fire Fighters Museum, Softball Hall of Fame, Women's College World Series (WCWS) & the World Cup of Softball events held at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.

The Oklahoma Zoo Amphitheater could probably use some upgrades. Would like to see this venue addressed.

We have one of the best zoos in our region with the lowest admission (reference post #117).

The parking project has commenced:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CwRWTRsVYAAGO4X.jpg:large

Pete, where are the details of the new parking lot? We love going to the zoo, but wish the entrance was better laid out. Since you are coming in on the south of the parking lot and have to turn left, you have to cross over with people crossing from the parking lot. I wish the entrance was off of Remington Place, as we as the exit, much like the science museum.

I know I posted this before but can't figure out why it's not on this thread.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zooparking.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zooparking2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zooparking3.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zooparking4.jpg

I know I posted this before but can't figure out why it's not on this thread.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zooparking.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zooparking2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zooparking3.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zooparking4.jpg


That is going to be such an improvement, the current entrance and parking arrangement leaves a lot to be desired.

That secondary entrance is interesting, I assume it is intended to facilitate people visiting both the zoo and the museum?

I believe the second entrance is for groups.

I know I posted this before but can't figure out why it's not on this thread.
Pete, there are two threads on this for some reasons. I started this thread in development mainly to talk about strictly development related things going on at the zoo, but there is also one in the Arts forum.

OKC Zoo Designated Worst For Elephants (by the In Defense Of Animals organization) (http://okiefunk.com/content/okc-zoo-designated-worst-elephants)

OKC Zoo's response is on their FB page;

https://www.facebook.com/okczoobg/posts/10154049551292385

OKC Zoo's response is on their FB page;

https://www.facebook.com/okczoobg/posts/10154049551292385

Just read that and I'd believe what Okiefunk has reported more than their ambiguous, whitewashed, not-very-detailed explanation/rebuttal.

http://www.okiefunk.com/content/okc-zoo-elephant-bamboo-endures-attacks-isolation (I believe some of OKC Zoo's own documents are part of this post)

http://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-2016/

Just read that and I'd believe what Okiefunk has reported more than their ambiguous, whitewashed, not-very-detailed explanation/rebuttal.

http://okiefunk.com/content/%E2%80%9Chttp://www.okiefunk.com/content/okc-zoo-elephant-bamboo-endures-attacks-isolation%E2%80%9D (I believe some of OKC Zoo's own documents are part of this post)

http://okiefunk.com/content/%E2%80%9Chttp://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-2016/%E2%80%9C

You're entitled to your opinion. You state some of the zoo's own documents are part of the report. Proof? Your links either dont work or take the user back to the original blog.

My observations of the elephants is that they are healthy and enjoy their area. The remaining Seattle elephant was having a good time with another on when I last visited. Unfortunately, the photo used on the blog appears to be totally misleading and the description of the cages is simply laughable. I guess the author wants them all outside to ride out the hail storms and the snow ...... which we all know is native to elephant environments. Bet they would have loved the near zero weather last week.

You're entitled to your opinion. You state some of the zoo's own documents are part of the report. Proof? Your links either dont work or take the user back to the original blog.

My observations of the elephants is that they are healthy and enjoy their area. The remaining Seattle elephant was having a good time with another on when I last visited. Unfortunately, the photo used on the blog appears to be totally misleading and the description of the cages is simply laughable. I guess the author wants them all outside to ride out the hail storms and the snow ...... which we all know is native to elephant environments. Bet they would have loved the near zero weather last week.

Go to okiefunk.com and do a search, maybe? I just copied the links from Okiefunk's own blogs, so they're defective, sorry, but get some initiative and find them for yourself if you truly want to read them. Here's an excerpt, just so you don't have to do any work...

Bamboo, the sole surviving elephant obtained by the Oklahoma City Zoo from a Seattle zoo, has suffered attacks from at least one or more elephants in her exhibit and is apparently kept frequently in isolation, according to zoo records.

The zoo documents were obtained through open-records requests by the Friends of the Woodland Park Zoo Elephants organization in Seattle. I personally retrieved the most recent set of documents at the Oklahoma City Zoo offices for the Seattle organization on Aug. 17.

From the obtained documents:

(1) Zoo reports show Bamboo’s tail was injured on December 31, 2015 and February 5, 2016. Bamboo suffered a bite wound on March 7, 2016, according to the records. A medical report dated April 14, 2016, which I obtained, noted the injuries lingered: “The tail tip injury is almost resolved.”

Here is some of the language from Bamboo’s medical reports about the bites:

December 31, 2015: “Keeper (BF) reported this animal to have sustained a tail wound. Examination of animal in stall. It was alert and moving well. There is a 9x3cm wound on the left ventral distal tail approximately 6cm from the tip. It is fresh and bleeding had just stopped. Keepers did not see injury by suspect a bite wound by a conspecific [another elephant].The wound was cleaned and dried.”

February 5, 2016: “Keepers report this animal sustained a bite on its tail by a conspecific. There was fresh clotted blood and the wound was superficial.”

March 7, 2016: “Keepers did not see what happened but it is most likely a bite wound from one of the other animals in the group.

March 8, 2016: “Supervisor (NN) reports this animal to be bleeding from its tail amputation site with a steady stream of blood. Instructed them to apply pressure to wound to stop bleeding. By the time I arrived the bleeding had stopped and only a bruise was seen. Animal was released and it walked around for 5 minutes, then the tail was rechecked and no reopening of the wound was seen. Likely this animal broke open a blood vessel on the wound site through normal swinging of the tail. Instructed keepers to monitor and if bleeding occurs again, to apply pressure again and contact veterinarian. Keepers estimate this animal lost between 50-150ml of blood. This is insignificant volume for this size animal.”

A "conspecific" means an animal from the same species or, in this case, another elephant or elephants. Note the use of the word “amputation” in the report.

Here’s some information about tail biting among elephants and how hard it is to treat in a medical sense:

Besides the fact that biting the tail, which is an extension of the backbone, is certainly extremely painful, the wound is also difficult to treat. A very great degree of familiarity between the handler and the elephant is required for the injured elephant to show its tail and allow it to be treated.
Zoo officials have yet to respond to my questions I submitted Friday evening about the tail-biting attacks faced by Bamboo and the fact she was later attacked again. I will obviously publish their responses, of course, especially those of OKC Zoo Executive Director Dwight Lawson, if they submit them to me, and I will gladly correct any factual errors in this post, as usual, but the records really speak for themselves.

(2) Bamboo was attacked by another elephant, Chandra, on April 25, 2016, according to an Animal Area Daily report, which states, “Chandra chased and pushed Bamboo. Bamboo has a superficial 6 inch long, two inch wide scrape on the anterior of her trunk.”

(3) Many daily reports state Bamboo is regularly isolated from the other elephants. For example, one report dated April 14, 2016 states: “Overnight Housing. Elephants: Bamboo inside sand area, all others access.” A report dated April 23, 2016 states: “Overnight Housing. Elephants: Access. Bamboo in the sand stall.” A report dated May 10, 2016 states: “Overnight Housing. Elephants: access, Bamboo inside sand area.” A report dated June 13, 2016 states: “Overnight Housing. Elephants: Bamboo inside sand area, all others accessed.”

If this isolation is for Bamboo’s protection it indicates there’s a problem with her gaining acceptance in the herd. Her age and health problems—she’s certainly not the star of the elephant “OKC Zoo Show”—don’t bode well for her in the herd or, really, it seems for other members of the overall zoo herd itself.

It’s not a good match. From my perspective, zoo officials need to quickly address this issue as a major medical emergency for Bamboo.

(4) A medical history report dated July 6, 2016, stated, “On exam the tail is still covered with dense scab material that is tightly adhered to the underlying tissue.” This is more than three months after the tail amputation report on March 8. Clearly, this was a major injury or maybe part of another injury. (Note the information above about healing tail bites on elephants.)

Whoa Cowboy! Chill out and try being civil. I simply pointed out your links were not working, not asserting that your wife looks like a moose! My doubts are aimed at the blogger, not you. Anyway, I am sure you know this but for others, animals have to establish a pecking order. Elephants are one of the most sociable matrilineal animals out there. New animals someimes can be hurt badly while figuring their place in the herd. I don't doubt this happened but its nothing abnormal for many animal species....my dogs have bitten each other sorting things out but the injuries were minor. If I recall, the Seattle animals weren't the most sociable animals to begin with. Since the unfortunate death of the other Seattle elephant, B amboo may be having a harder-than-exlected time of it. As I said, on my last visit Bamboo seemed perfectly happy with other elephants right there. With all the observers, dkcents, volunteers, emoyees and Government agencies monitoring the situation, I believe the zoo before an animal rights blogger who misrepresented what was going on in the photo. If there was abuse going on, the lower-level zoo staff would talk. You may be proven right, who knows, but I doubt it.

It's entirely possible that Bamboo is doing well, but that doesn't address the whole point that elephants should not be in zoos. OKC's zoo has had what seems to be a disproportionate problem with elephant injuries and deaths (along with some other deaths that didn't seem to be normal, but I can't remember what those were), and I do like the zoo, but if it's not being run properly, it needs to be fixed. Fixed the links, BTW.

Elephants will soon be virtually extinct in the wild. Many of the sanctuaries for them are riddled with elephant herpes virus and other afflictions . Zoos only help to broaden the # of animals surviving, are educational and until an elephant talks and says "I'm not happy here" , I'll take the observations of happy animals by highly trained and educated handlers than from an English Professor who has a passion. Perhaps energy should be spent lobbying for additional expansion of the OKC Zoo facility so they have even more room.

I didn't find much evidence of herpes in sanctuaries (apparently it's more common in zoos and circuses than sanctuaries), found a bit of evidence of TB in sanctuaries (and zoos and circuses), but apparently TB in elephants is rarely life-threatening. Interesting reading about that (one story has lots of info on Chai):

http://old.seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2019809167_elephants02m.html

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/zoos-resist-guidelines-that-limit-elephant-tuberculosis/

http://www.navs.org/what-we-do/keep-you-informed/legal-arena/wildlife/elephants-captivity-united-states/#.WHe5BrIrLIU

I certainly don't have blinders on and don't believe the OKC zoo is the best, or even near the top, in quality of zoos. That being said, the moment someone says they're "the worst" I tune them out. That type of hyperbole is unproductive. In regards to elephant health (and others) the OKC zoo does often take animals in from poor environments. The Elephant herpes, for example, was brought in from Seattle, IIRC.

I certainly don't have blinders on and don't believe the OKC zoo is the best, or even near the top, in quality of zoos. That being said, the moment someone says they're "the worst" I tune them out. That type of hyperbole is unproductive. In regards to elephant health (and others) the OKC zoo does often take animals in from poor environments. The Elephant herpes, for example, was brought in from Seattle, IIRC.

Just out of curiosity, what zoos do you think constitute the top ones in regards to quality? I seem to remember a ranking that actually had the OKC Zoo ranked quite high, but I freely admit, I've not been to a lot of other American zoos.

Just out of curiosity, what zoos do you think constitute the top ones in regards to quality? I seem to remember a ranking that actually had the OKC Zoo ranked quite high, but I freely admit, I've not been to a lot of other American zoos.

Memphis, St. Louis, Houston, San Diego, Miami, Bronx, etc. I don't think I'd put OKC even in the top 10. It's decent, but there are much larger zoos with better facilities and larger array of animals.

When I worked at the zoo, I went past the elephant yard multiple times daily. They usually looked bored, but not unhealthy. Many of the other animal areas would gripe about how much attention, money, and staffing the elephant exhibit would receive. Hopefully, the zoo follows through with the plans that they have to improve the area. When I was leaving, a large "browse garden" - a place where trees, shrubs, and other plants would be grown to feed the larger animals - was being planned. Additionally, I know that "Asia" is supposed to be expanded and will likely double the amount of space that the elephants will receive. Right now, they put the two, single male elephants in their own small, separate pens, and the females are placed in the large lot, for space considerations.

. . .realize this was 2014, but USA Today singled out OKC for just missing the Top 10 by a few votes.

http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-us-zoo/

Also believe that a few years back they were named in the top 5 for the Children's Zoo.

I thought people always considered OKC as best bang for buck.

Personally, I think that beyond actual 'incidents' people often perceive a zoo based on their biases. Not saying many animals don't experience different emotions, I just think humans often project human traits onto animals with little or no real knowledge of fact.

I think zoo's are necessary 'evils' and I really like our zoo. We've got no kids in the house and yet we still buy the family+ membership every year.

You're not going to cage up any animals for public display and not have detractors.

Not saying many animals don't experience different emotions, I just think humans often project human traits onto animals with little or no real knowledge of fact.

I call this the Disney Effect.... I've always thought that had Bambi been a carrot, instead of a deer, and his mother was eaten in a salad by an evil vegetarian. There would be groups of people protesting people eating vegetables.

I've always thought that our newish elephant habitat was way nicer and as big or bigger than most of them that I've seen at zoos around the country (I think there have been news articles from various sources stating the same). It could always be larger and maybe it should be, but to say it's the worst or even in the bottom 3/4 of elephant exhibits around the country is completely laughable. It just comes off as "butthurt" for lack of a better term, among animal rights activists over the Seattle elephant deal.

Both of those sites clearly have an agenda. Not sure I'd trust a site called Okie funk. I perused several pages of the site and it seemed to be pretty much all negative articles about Oklahoma. The guy obviously has an agenda against Oklahoma for whatever reason.

Both of those sites clearly have an agenda. Not sure I'd trust a site called Okie funk. I perused several pages of the site and it seemed to be pretty much all negative articles about Oklahoma. The guy obviously has an agenda against Oklahoma for whatever reason.

+1

+2. I've seen too many p*****g matches on here and didn't feel like one about such an absurd assertion. To be that bad, many, many people would have to be quiet and not speak about problems. Animal people just don't work that way. They love their animals like their own children. If there were major problems that were being squelched or hidden, the employees would talk.

http://newsok.com/multimedia/video/5318971534001#gsc.tab=0

Mold-a-Matics are returning.

Today, they broke ground on the new Asia exhibit, officially named Sanctuary Asia.

Very excited about it. Walking from the aquarium area to the elephant exhibit feels like traveling through time at the zoo. Some buildings (the aquarium, the herpetarium, aquaticus) are really showing their age. Then you have the stuff from a few decades ago (Great EscAPE and Cat Forrest) that for me marked the turnaround for the zoo. And the new stuff (Elephants, Children's Zoo, Oklahoma Trails) is really fantastic. Even the small improvements they made last year have made a big difference IMO, especially getting rid of the big wooden fence around the Island Exhibit.

I'm really looking forward to Sanctuary Asia, and then the Africa Exhibit after that.

THIS IS GREAT NEWS!

Any photos of the updated entrances?

THIS IS GREAT NEWS!

Any photos of the updated entrances?

The western half of the parking lot is just about done.

According to the zoo's Facebook page they had the asia groundbreaking today.

I'll be very glad when the parking lot is done. It definitely stinks parking over at Remington Park.

I'm glad to see this going in, but something that seems to be the trend right now with the zoo is pushing further out in a way that makes it pretty difficult to actually see some of the animals. I understand the habitat thing, but if the idea of a zoo is to educate people about the animals so there's interest to protect them, doesn't help if you can't actually SEE anything.

I wish we had penguins though.

I don't know if we'll ever get to have dolphins again, but I miss having them and wish that Aquaticus would get a big redo.

Why do we have 2 threads on this??

Why do we have 2 threads on this??

I merged them.

I don't know if we'll ever get to have dolphins again, but I miss having them and wish that Aquaticus would get a big redo.

I miss them too.

I wish we had penguins though.

Didn't we have penguins before or am I just crazy?

Didn't we have penguins before or am I just crazy?

Only as a loaner:
http://newsok.com/article/2633025

Saw these magnificent creatures this morning :cool18:

Photos of the zoo parking project from their Facebook page. Said it all will be complete by the end of March.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zooparkingnew1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zooparkingnew2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zooparkingnew3.jpg

looking forward to it:pink_elep

Photos of the zoo parking project from their Facebook page. Said it all will be complete by the end of March.

Then on to the other side. I just hope the West portion is completed before the summer rush! With the way the weather has been this year (and who would have guessed it), the Zoo has been accessible far earlier in the year than it normally would be. All these 60 degree+ days when it's normally in the 40's has a lot more visitors going. It's great for the zoo, but stinks for timing for construction...but who could have guessed!?

Their Facebook page says the entire parking project will be complete by the end of March.

I don't see the entire project being done by March. The west side took around 4 months.

I don't see the entire project being done by March. The west side took around 4 months.

Today's March.

I am more excited than I should be about the return of the Mold-A-Rama Machines!.. HOT PLASTIC KIDS!.. GET YOUR HOT PLASTIC!

I am more excited than I should be about the return of the Mold-A-Rama Machines!.. HOT PLASTIC KIDS!.. GET YOUR HOT PLASTIC!

Ahhh and they smell so good, too.

I am more excited than I should be about the return of the Mold-A-Rama Machines!.. HOT PLASTIC KIDS!.. GET YOUR HOT PLASTIC!

Logged in to tell you this comment has me chuckling pretty good at my desk right now.

HOT PLASTIC KIDS!

Hot plastic kids

Hot, plastic kids

Hot plastic, kids

A comma makes all the difference.

Went today and my 3 year old got her first piece of hot plastic. The bright green shiny bear is a hit with her.

And the half finished parking lot already feels a bigger than the previous version of the whole lot. My only complaint is that the sidewalk between the lot and the entrance doesn't have any cuts in it for strollers. We ended up walking in parking lot traffic until we got near the center of the lot to find a ramp to get up the sidewalk. This might be a minor complaint, but it would be nice to have a ramp cut into the curb near each row to help people with strollers and carts.

You'd think there would have to be cuts for ADA compliance....