Fresno Zoo rr Added Attractions

Visitors Leave Givilization At The Entrance

ISITORS entering the Fresno, Califomia Zoo (Chaffee Zoological Gardens) soon become part of a primitive culture, sensing distant native drums and the echoing roar of lions. The main entrance gives them their first taste of this instant transport to a distant land and time. A 6,000 sq. ft. openstructure, the entrance soars above them like a giant native hut with a complex series of roofs at six different angles. The center pole where the roof peaks is 50 feet high and is covered with palm fronds, handwoven by Mexican Indians.

The entrance structure and roof tafters are made entirely of Douglas fir and Lodge Pole pine treated with Chemonite, an environmentally-acceptable wood preservative treatment. Chemonite was specified by the archi tect, Edwin S. Darden Associates of Fresno, because ofits proven resistance to tlie most severe conditions of decay and wood-destroying insects, as well as its long life and cost efficiency. The architects, however, were especially pleased with the visually appealing, greenish-brown color of the Chemonite treated poles, which complement the rough, natural design of the zoo.

The entrahce is just a part of the authenticity of a master plan developed for the zoo to create natural environs rbr the animals.

Another authentic touch undemeath 4nd around the entrance is 10,000 sq. ft. of Bomanite concrete, with patterns of river rock and sandstone interwoven to replicate an arid plain across which once coursed a river long gone dry. A series of thatch-covered umbrellas line theentrance andfurtheraddtothe primitive appearance. And a 300 ft. long Chemonite treated pole fence extending from the entry structure to the existing fence, at staggered heights of 8 to 15 ft., again achieves the rough, primitive look.

ln another part of the zoo, a 60 ft. high, mesh-covered tropical rainforest, supported by Chemonite treated poles, is a natural bird sanctuary in which people can walk amidst free fl ying birds. Open year round, the zoo is inside Fresno's Roeding Park and covers approximately 25 acres.