Lee Richardson Zoo Receives Large Donation

A large gift has been donated to a western Kansas zoo raising funds for a new cat canyon exhibit.

The Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City is preparing to build a new site for the bobcat, puma and jaguar cats. The indoor and outdoor play space is expected to cost more than $92,000.

Friends of the Lee Richardson Zoo, a donor organization, said the project received a $22,000 grant from the William T. Kemper Foundation Trust and Commerce Bank of Garden City. A Wild Affair fundraiser held Sept. 10 also added $26,500 towards the campaign. To date, the cat canyon project is about $8,000 short of their goal.

The group will hold one final fundraising event to meet their goal. Boo! at the zoo is a fun Halloween event for the family. The program will be held Saturday, Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. Advance tickets are on sale now for $3, and can be purchased at the zoo, El Ramedio Market or the Wards Garden Center.

Friends of the Lee Richardson zoo plan to search for a contractor to build the canyon Nov. 1.