AT THE ZOO

WE ARE HIRING

Do you love the Washington Park Zoo? Come hang out with us all summer (and get paid to do it)!
The Zoo is now hiring spring, summer, and fall help. We are looking for fun, upbeat, responsible adults and students to work in the following positions: concessions, zookeeper, train attendant, and gift shop for weekends and weekdays. You must be 18 years or older to apply. Click Here to go to the application.

Celebrating Love at the Washington Park Zoo

Love is in the air at the Washington Park Zoo! On Valentine’s Day, we celebrate by looking at all the weird and wonderful behaviors animals have when it comes to courting and attracting a companion. Although there’s no concrete way to measure an animal’s love, we do know that many of the animals at the zoo are coupled up, or have longtime companions, who enjoy each other’s company. 

Spider Monkey brothers Max and Rafiki are the true showing of brotherly love. The two can often be heard chattering, playing, and swinging together throughout the day and huddle with their tails wrapped around each other at night while they sleep.

Our beloved North American River Otters (NARO), Willow and Mac, embody the playful spirit of their species and the bonds formed in the animal kingdom. Despite their significant age difference—Willow at 20 years old and Mac just 1—these two are nearly inseparable. Their days are filled with playful antics, from habitual grooming sessions to lively pool playtimes. As winter blankets the zoo, you might even catch them catching snowflakes in their mouths, showcasing their lighthearted nature.

We also have Jasmine and Aladdin, our charming Fennec Fox duo, and Gia and Baxter, the devoted Red-Handed Tamarins who are also doting parents, further illustrate the theme of companionship among our animals. Our collection also features literal lovebirds—pairs like the Sacred Ibis and Abdim's Stork, both of which demonstrate the beauty of monogamous relationships in the wild.

Through our commitment to caring for and understanding these diverse relationships, we hope to not only celebrate love in the animal kingdom but also inspire our guests to appreciate the beauty and complexity of these connections.

Zoo Memberships - Memberships are the wildest deal in town and they last all year long.  There are a variety of level options available to provide families or individuals free admission to WPZoo. https://www.washingtonparkzoo.com/membership

For questions, please contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone at (219) 873-1510. If you prefer to send your donation by mail, you can do so at: Washington Park Zoo, 115 Lakeshore Drive, Michigan City, Indiana 46360.

Recreation

The OttoApp

We have made an official switch from Jarvis to The OttoApp. We love that OttoApp is a mobile native platform that gives you the user a very simple and streamlined way to view and sign up for Park and Rec activities. Right now, the app will host our leagues, events, and classes; but in the future we plan to provide facility rentals, merchandise sales, concession sales, and much more through the application.

Click here to Download the Apple App
Click here to Download the Android App
Click here to go to the Web Browser Version

Adult Crafts

We will also be having monthly adult craft and game nights. This month on February 15th we will be having a BYOB Pour and Paint, we will also be having a Pour and Paint in March on the 8th. The cost will be $25 and will be held at Krueger Memorial Hall. CLICK HERE to head to the FB event page.

Summer Youth Baseball League

Sign ups for the 2025 Summer Michigan City Youth Baseball League are open and we have a $5 Early Bird discount going on through February 14th. Another summer with league Director Cary Krachinski running the show. We love the direction our league is trending in. We have some equipment upgrades this season, with 12 brand new sets of catcher’s gear, 50 new helmets with chin guards, and a new maintenance plan to make sure it all stays fresh and up to date for our young athletes.

Prices

Discounts

Late / Last Chance Sign up Fee

April 1st through April 6th will be the Late / Last Chance Sign Up opportunity. An addition $10 charge (per child) will be added for late sign up fee.

In Person Sign Up Dates

We will be having In Person sign up days on February 22 and March 22nd. On 2/22 we will be at the YMCA from 11a-1p as part of the vendor market for the Black History Month Quiz Bowl. At the in-person sign-ups we will have practice/extra pants for sale for $10 (while supplies last).

Chess Club

We are excited that a community chess club is back in Michigan City. We will be meeting on 1st and 3rd Mondays at Krueger Memorial Hall from 5:30-7:30. This club is open for all skill levels. We have people that that can train kids and adults on how to play the game. Right now there is no cost to be in the Club. All persons under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Lorcan the Ludic Leprechaun

Mark Your Calendars

February

• Saturday, February 15th - Adult Pour & Paint (BYOB)
  6:30-8:30p @ Krueger Memorial Hall

• Monday, February 17th - Chess Club
  5:30-6:30p @ Krueger Memorial Hall

• Saturday, February 22nd - In Person Youth Baseball Sign ups
  11a-1p @ Michigan City YMCA

March

• Saturday, March 8th - Adult crafts upstairs, Kids Craft Corner downstairs
  6-8p @ Krueger Memorial Hall

• March 3rd - March 14th
  - Leprechaun Hunt

Until Next Time

We appreciate you taking the time to read this month’s newsletter. The big thing for the beginning of this year is to get signed up for ‘The Ottoapp”. All events, leagues, activities, and anything else going on will be on The Ottoapp. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please reach out to us at [email protected] or call us at 219-873-1506.