Essex County Exec, Taxpayers Revamp Turtle Back Zoo

Discussions of closing down the Turtle Back Zoo in Essex County have been silenced, mostly by County Executive Joe DiVincenzo. 

A large part of DiVincenzo's administration has focused on the zoo, the parks, and other recreational areas in Essex County. 

The zoo was rebuilt after Sandy with money from taxes, Sandy reconstruction funds, donations from private companies, and government grants including those from Governor Christie's Green Acres program, among other sources. 

Divincenzo told My9NJ said "we have people come from all throughout the state and all over the country. It's been very successful and people love it." 

The newly rebuilt 15-acre zoo and Treetop Adventure Course has so far brought in $500,000 for the county. Some have questioned whether the zoo's  to support the zoo is worth the taxpayer dollars. 

The zoo includes a unique sea lion exhibit, which opened last April for the zoo's 50th Anniversary, with particular support from Governor Christie. 

"I want to thank the County Executive because things like this done happen without leadership, and he’s doing it in a way that is very friendly toward taxpayers,” Christie told the Independent Press.

Joe DiVincenzo continues to be reelected and might consider a gubernatorial run in the future.