Boulder Ridge Animal Park to Open on Friday

Boulder Ridge Animal Park -- located just about 30 minutes east of Grand Rapids in Alto -- is getting ready to open up for the season this Friday, May 15th.

Normally the park opens the first part of May, but this year, due to the coronavirus, they have had to postpone that opening.

There seems to be a gray area as to just what is allowed in Governor Gretchen Whitmer's Executive Order. Boulder Ridge says they are following the path of other small, privately owned zoos over on the east side of the state that have opened.

The park has taken several safety measures, including cleaning and disinfecting. They have also installed sneeze guards in the gift shop and feed stations.

If you plan to visit Boulder Ridge, you will be required to wear a mask in the gift shop. There will also be 6 foot markers to keep visitors spaced through the park. The buses for the safari rides will also be modified and disinfected.

The park plans to be open at 10 am this coming Friday.The privately owned zoo's only source of revenue comes from visitors.

No other animal parks or zoo in the west Michigan area are open or plan on opening in the near future. John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids still remains closed. According to their website they will "remain closed until further notice and in alignment with government guidelines."

For more information on Boulder Ridge Animal Park, here is their website. They are located at 8313 Pratt Lake, SE, Alto, MI 49302.