The Toronto Zoo has officially unveiled a fully accessible boardwalk that improves accessibility and offers guests "stunning" views in celebration of its 50th anniversary.
This new canopy walk connects the zoo's IndoMalaya and Africa zones.
The boardwalk will allow guests to explore the Carolinian forest from an elevated perspective to better connect with native species of birds such as Cooper’s Hawks and Pileated Woodpeckers, the zoo said in a release.
Visitors can also look out at zoo highlights such as the orangutan outdoor towers and the Sumatran tiger habitat.
The boardwalk was made possible with $2.95 million of funding from the federal government, $2,458,088 from the province and $2.9 million from the city.
Representatives from all three levels of government were on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the weekend.
“At your Toronto Zoo, it’s our mission to connect people, animals and conservation science to fight extinction," said Dolf DeJong, Toronto Zoo CEO. "A big part of making inclusive connections is ensuring our zoo is accessible to all our guests and community members."
"This boardwalk is an iconic new addition to our site, providing our guests with a unique canopy walk experience with a design that protects the environmentally sensitive area found at the core of our site."
DeJong said the zoo was "incredibly grateful" for the financial support from the federal, provincial and city governments in bringing the project to life.
"This partnership exemplifies what can be achieved when we work together to build a more inclusive future for our communities,” DeJong said.
Built with sustainable materials, the boardwalk replaces aging infrastructure and steep grades that was challenging for guests to navigate, the zoo said.
Now, guests of all abilities can enjoy a smooth, accessible path through one of the zoo’s most scenic areas.
The new boardwalk is 315 metres long, three metres wide with a five per cent slope or less in sections.
The decking and railing are made of Douglas fir and the structure is made of modular fibre-reinforced polymer panels which are light and durable and have a long lifespan, according to the zoo.
