Pat Simmons

19 Aug

North Carolina Zoo takes next steps for Asia exhibit

Randolph RecordNews, StateAsian exhibit, Darrell Frye, North Carolina Zoo, Pat Simmons

NC Zoo director Pat Simmons, center, high-fives state Sen. David Craven Jr., who reaches over Randolph County commissioner Darrell Frye, during Wednesday's groundbreaking. (Scott Pelkey/North State Journal) ASHEBORO – North Carolina Zoo is moving closer to Asia after the groundbreaking for a new exhibit. The 10-acre Asian expansion is a few years away from being opened, but the next steps were evident when regional and state officials gathered Wednesday for the ceremonial start to the process. “Asia has been a long time coming,” said Walker Moffitt, chair of the North Carolina Zoo Council and Asheboro mayor pro tem. This is…

27 Jul

NC Zoo hits new milestone for attendance

Bob SuttonNews, StateAsheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, attendance, Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau, NC Zoo, North Carolina Zoo, Pat Simmons, zoo

Visitors celebrate the 48th birthday of C’sar, an African elephant, on Monday morning at North Carolina Zoo, where officials have reported record attendance during the past year. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — The North Carolina Zoo has been busier than ever this past year. The NC Zoo announced for the fiscal year ending June 30 that more than 1 million visitors entered the gates. The previous high for a fiscal year was 879,990 in 2018-19, based on numbers listed in the announcement. “We’re thrilled to welcome so many guests from North Carolina and around the world,” NC Zoo director Pat…