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Discovery Center
- Scarlet macaw tail feather
- Boa constrictor shed
- Flamingo feathers
All are welcome at the Blank Park Zoo! Our goal is to provide an inclusive and seamless experience for ALL guests regardless of age and ability. This page provides information on our efforts to accommodate and assist those guests and families with special needs. If there is more we can do to make your experience an enjoyable and memorable one, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Guest Services staff prior to your visit at (515) 285-4722.
Our accommodation efforts extend to our educational programs (more info on Education here). We design our educational programs to meet the needs of diverse audiences but may provide reasonable modifications where necessary. Our staff is ready to partner with parents and/or teachers to accommodate students.
Wheelchair & Stroller Accessibility
All pathways through the Zoo are ADA accessible.
Wheelchair, Stroller, and Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV) Rental
Wheelchairs and strollers are available in our admissions building or at the outdoor stroller and wheelchair rental stand near the eagle exhibit during peak summer season (weather dependent) on a first come, first served basis.
Wheelchairs - Free
Double Strollers - $10.00
Electric Scooter - $20.00
A driver's license will be required to check out the strollers and wheelchairs.
Rides Accessibility
Our carousel and train are ADA accessible. The front car of the train is equipped to hold a guest in a wheelchair. Please note; it does not provide a space for a care taker to ride alongside the guest. There are seats available behind the wheelchair cart for caretakers.
Restrooms
All restrooms are wheelchair and stroller accessible and include changing tables (weights up to 50 lbs.)
Family restrooms with child changing tables (weights up to 50 lbs.) are available:
- In the rhino pavilion
- Behind the bat cave in the Discovery Center
- Indoor giraffe viewing
- GoGo Plaza
GoGo Plaza restroom area features a Mother's room and a family restroom with an adult-sized changing table.
Quiet Zones & Headphone Zones
We have designated “Quiet Zones” throughout the park. These areas typically have less activity and offer a relaxing spot to sit and regroup if you or a loved one is overstimulated.
Quiet Zones are in the following locations:
- Japanese macaques overlook
- Next to the Butterfly Garden
- Behind the Kids Kingdom Playground (Coming summer 2019)
- Across from the Train Depot
- Across from macaque tunnel
Areas that typically have more activity and noise are designated as “Headphone Zones.” These include:
- The Carousel
- The rhino trail (the trail that loops the rhino exhibit to the giraffe feeding area)
- The Safari Grill
- The Macaw Café
- The Discovery Center
Guest Comfort Station
Check with admissions staff for availability. Family restrooms may be utilized for this purpose.
Sensory Inclusion
Our partnership with Kulture City enhances our ability to accommodate and assist guests with sensory processing needs. Download the Kulture City app on iOS or Android for resources, help, and Sensory Inclusive™ locations.
Social Narrative
Sensory Bags & Weighted Lap Pads for Checkout
We are happy to provide cost-free sensory bags for checkout in our Admissions Building (just leave a driver’s license). The bags contain fidget tools, noise-cancelling headphones and other resources which may be helpful to you or your loved one. Weighted lap pads are also available upon request.
Staff Training
The most important aspect of our Sensory Inclusive Zoo Initiative is continued staff training. Staff are trained on sensory processing disorders, the various services available to guests with special needs, and strategies they can implement in their daily work to be sensory inclusive. Ask a staff member if you need assistance.
Visual Inclusion
Our partnership with the Iowa Educational Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired and the Iowa Library for the Blind enhances our ability to accommodate and assist guests with vision-related needs.
Braille Maps
Braille maps are available to check out (just leave a driver’s license).
Tactile Bags
We are happy to provide cost-free tactile bags for checkout in our Admissions Building (just leave a driver’s license). The bags include a variety of resources specific to certain areas of the zoo, including:
Australia Adventure
- Kookaburra skull
- Wallaby plastic animal
- Emu egg
- Emu feathers
Penguin, Tortoise, Otter
- Penguin feathers
Tigers, Lions
- Cast of a lion footprint
Sea Lion Harbor Seal Pool
- Harbor seal fur
Jamaa Kwa Africa
- Giraffe artifacts
- Ostrich feather
- Ostrich plastic animal
Tactile/Audio Signs and Exhibits
We have a variety of tactile and audio exhibits throughout the zoo for our guests to enjoy. These include:
Discovery Center
Feel
- Rock work and water
- Live plants along path to feel
Hear
- Water sounds
- Bird sounds (over 100 free flight birds in rainforest dome)
Australia Adventure
Feel
- Imprints on signs of the shape and size of animals relative to an average adult human
- Molds on signs to feel actual size of cassowary foot and cassowary casque
- Mold on sign of baby wallaby size
- Replica didgeridoo instrument to feel the shape and size
Hear
- Doorbell to ring with a voice that answers in Australian slang
- Music
- Parakeet Aviary - hear the birds (extra fee to feed)
- Kookaburras often make their calls throughout the day
Penguin, Tortoise, Otter
Feel
- Tortoise sculpture to feel the shape of the shell
- Penguin signs of various species to feel the size
Kids Kingdom
Feel
- Feed a goat or llama (often the animals will allow to pet)
- Feed a koi fish( Hint: lay on the deck, it is easier to reach into the water to feel the fish)
- The play area has chimes and the structure was built for an adult to follow a child through the maze
Tigers and Lions
Feel
- Sabertooth tiger mold on a sign
Hear
- Sign with the sounds of different great cats
- Two different narrated videos about research in the wild of tigers and snow leopards
Sea Lion and Harbor Seal Pool
Feel
- Seal lion statue to feel the shape
- Silhouettes of a life size sea lion and seal to feel the shape
Hear
- Sign with sounds of different species
Jamaa Kwa Africa
Feel
- Sign with the size of a giraffe tongue to feel
- Imprints on signs of the shape and size of animals relative to an average adult human
- Mold of a rhino horn to feel
Hear
- Narrated video about conservation and animal care. (in the rhino indoor viewing)
Food Allergies
We offer a variety of food options available for sale, but guests with significant food allergies may be more comfortable bringing their own snacks/meals. While outside food may not be brought within the Zoo gates, we offer a comfortable, shaded picnic shelter by the main entrance playground for use by all guests. You may obtain a hand stamp at admissions to come and go from the zoo if you wish to use the picnic shelter and adjacent playground area.
Service Animals
We welcome your trained service animal, provided that he/she remains properly leashed and controlled. Service animals will initially be escorted by Zoo staff to provide guidance for a successful visit for the safety and well being of both the service animal and Blank Park Zoo animals. There may be a brief wait in Admissions for a service animal staff escort.
For the health and safety of the Zoo’s animals, personal pets are not permitted. Sorry, we do not have boarding facilities.
ADA law defines service animals as the following:
Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.
Dear Families & Caretakers –
This Social Narrative is intended to help with your visit to the Blank Park Zoo. We have it in a sequence that starts in the Discovery Center and moves throughout the zoo. This narrative touches on some of the main attractions, but remember there are many animals along the route to stop and see.
Please use this as you see fit, as a schedule or pick and choose the sections to highlight. If you would like one of our sensory bags, they can be checked out at admissions by leaving your photo ID. Also, ask for the program schedule to see what is happening in the zoo the day of your visit. There is a map available in the lobby of admissions or on the Zoo’s mobile website. Maps are marked with our Quiet and Headphone Areas. Thank you for visiting us today!
I am going to Blank Park Zoo today
Knowing what to expect will help me stay calm and have an enjoyable day at the Zoo!
The Zoo staff is happy that I will be visiting today and will be around if I have any questions or concerns
Rules for the zoo
I will follow the rules of the zoo, these rules will keep me and the animals safe.
I will always stay on the pathway when walking around the zoo.
I will keep my feet on the ground when watching the animals. The wooden fences and barriers are there to keep me safe and are not for climbing.
I will keep my belongings out of the animals' enclosure.
I will keep my snack to myself. The animals have their own special food from the zookeepers.
I will have a quiet voice so all the animals feel safe.
Quiet Area and Headphone Zones
I can go to a Quiet Area when I need to rest in a peaceful area.
I can find quiet areas marked with signs around the zoo and on the zoo map.
If I have headphones, I can put them on in louder parts of the zoo.
I can find headphone areas marked with signs around the zoo and on the zoo map.
Asking for Help
I will stay close to my group while I am in the Zoo. If I get lost from my group or need help, I will stay calm and ask a staff member for help.
Tickets
When I get to the zoo, I will wait in line with my group/family to buy tickets before we can go inside. As I wait I might see the big snow leopard statue. Once we have paid for our tickets we can head into the Discovery Center and start to see animals and enjoy the zoo.
Animals
Once I’m inside, I will get to see the animals.
I may not be able to see all of the animals. Some animals may be inside. Just like we need breaks, animals need them too! If I don’t see an animal in their habitat I will know they are probably resting.
Animals like peacocks are free roaming. This means they might not be in their enclosure. I might see them walking on the path next to me. I will keep my hands to myself and look with my eyes.
Discovery Center
When I enter the Discovery Center I will learn about and see many animals. When I first walk in it will be nighttime in the “mountains” I will hear wind and a stream. After the mountains I will walk through the caves. Once I get to the rainforest I will see more light. I might hear a waterfall, chirping birds, and maybe a thunderstorm in our rainforest. When walking through the rainforest, I will always stay on the pathway. It is important because I might see birds walking on the path or flying from tree to tree.
Australia
When I enter Australia I will stay on the pathway as this is the wallabies’ home! They wander around so it is important to watch them from the path so they feel safe. In Australia I may get to feed the parakeets or build a boomerang (paid, seasonal activities). This area may be closed to walk through traffic during the colder months. Guests can look at the area from the viewing deck during this time.
Parakeet Feeding
I may get to feed the parakeets.
I will need to pay for the parakeet food. I may need to wait in line to pay.
I will be kind to the parakeets and only feed them the correct food.
I will follow directions to keep the parakeets and me safe by holding the food stick very still and the parakeets will come to me.
I will wash my hands after I have fed the parakeets.
Train (paid, seasonal)
I may get to ride the train.
I know the train has to be closed sometimes when it is getting fixed or if it is raining outside.
I will need to pay for a ticket to ride the train. I may need to wait in line to pay.
I will wait for my turn to ride the train.
I will keep my hands and feet inside the train at all times.
The train goes through a dark tunnel, but it is very quick.
If I lose something during the ride, I will let zoo staff know so they can find it.
Face Painting (paid, seasonal)
I may get to have my face painted.
I will need to pay for my face to be painted.
I may need to stand in line and wait my turn.
I may have to sit still while they paint my face.
When my face is done being painted I will get to see it in the mirror.
Kids Kingdom
When I enter Kids Kingdom it can be busy. I need to stay with my group. In Kids Kingdom I might be able to do some activities. Some activities may be closed due to the season.
I may get to feed the goats and the llamas
I will need to pay for the food.
I will be kind to the goats and llamas and only feed them the correct food.
I will follow directions to keep the animals and me safe. It is okay for me to pet the goats and llamas. When I feed them I will lay my hand flat for them to eat the food off of my hand. It might feel funny.
I will wash my hands after I have fed the goats or llamas.
I may get to feed the fish
I will need to pay for the fish food.
I understand I will be near the water.
I will follow direction to keep the fish and me safe by keeping my body and belongings on the deck.
I will be kind to the fish.
I will wash my hands after I feed the fish.
I may get to pan for gemstones and/or fossils
I will need to pay for the gemstones and/or fossils.
I will pan for my gemstones in the panning river.
I will be kind to other guests using the same space.
I will get to keep the gemstones and fossils that I find.
I will wash my hands afterwards.
I may get to play on the playground
I will be respectful of the other zoo guests that are playing.
I will be sure to always know where my family or group is so I don’t get lost.
I will leave when it is time so I can see all the animals at the zoo.
GoGo Plaza
I will notice this area gets loud and busy sometimes.
I may be able to get a snack here. If not, I will find there are other snack options throughout the zoo.
I can use the air-conditioned restrooms here. If not, I will find there are other opportunities for a bathroom break throughout the zoo.
Lions
I may be able to view the lions from a few different places.
I can enter the indoor lion viewing area to see the lions.
I will notice the indoor area is sometimes busy and noisy. I can play with the interactive signs in this area to hear the sound of a lion’s roar.
I will have a quiet voice and safe hands so the lions feel safe.
Hub Harbor
I may be able to view the seals and sea lions from a few different places.
I can take the climb the wooden stairs or follow the concrete ramp to see them from up high.
I can follow the concrete steps down to see them underwater.
I will notice the underwater viewing area is sometimes busy and noisy. I can play with the sound interactives in this area to hear the sounds of different seals and sea lions.
I will have a quiet voice and safe hands so the seals and sea lions feel safe.
Tigers
I may be able to view the tigers from a few different places.
I will notice a Jeep I can play in when I enter the indoor tiger viewing area.
I will be respectful to other zoo guests and take my turn on the Jeep.
I will have a quiet voice and safe hands so the tiger feels safe.
Nature Play and Butterfly Garden
I may get to play in the nature play and butterfly garden area.
I will see a large caterpillar and butterfly statues.
I will be respectful of other zoo guests that are also playing here.
I will take turns with the tools and building materials.
I will remember to leave the tools and building materials when it is time to leave.
Safari Grill and Restrooms
I will notice this area gets loud and busy sometimes.
I may be able to get a snack here. If not, I will find there are other snack options throughout the zoo.
I can use the air conditioned restrooms here. If not, I will find there are other opportunities for a bathroom break throughout the zoo.
Africa
When I enter Africa, I will see many different kinds of animals from the boardwalk. I will remember to use my walking feet, quiet voice, and safe hands so the animals feel safe.
Giraffe Feeding
I may get to feed a giraffe.
I will need to pay for the giraffe food. I may need to wait in line to pay.
I will wait for my turn to feed the giraffe.
I will be kind to the giraffes and only feed them correct food.
I will follow directions to keep the giraffe and me safe by holding out the food for the giraffe to grab with their tongue.
I will remember to keep my hands safe and to myself.
I will wash my hands after I am done feeding the giraffe.
Macaque Viewing Cave
I may be able to view the macaques (snow monkeys) from a few different places.
I will notice there is a cave I can enter to get a closer look at the monkeys.
I will be respectful to other zoo guests that might also be in the cave.
I will have a quiet voice and safe hands so the monkeys feel safe.
Ape Sculpture Garden
I may be able to play in the sculpture garden.
I can climb on the sculptures.
I will be able to take a break here. It is usually quiet and peaceful.
Carousel (paid, seasonal)
I may get to ride the carousel.
I will need to wait in line to pay for my ride.
I will find an animal to sit on and buckle my belt before the ride begins. If my animals is taken I can choose to find another animal or wait for the next ride.
Critter Corner
I may get to see small animals up close in the Critter Corner area.
I will use a quiet voice and safe hands so the animals feel safe.
Gift Shop
I may get to go into the gift shop.
I will notice it is busy and loud in here sometimes.
I will be respectful to the staff by keeping the gift shop neat and tidy.
might just look around the gift shop and not buy anything.
If I decide to buy something, I may need to wait in line to pay.
Coming Back
I had a great day at the Blank Park Zoo and can’t wait to come back and visit the animals!