Entering the Erie Zoo: View new front entrance sign, mosaics that honor site's history

The Erie Zoo unveiled their newly renovated front entrance gate Friday while honoring the zoo's past.

Along with a new overhead arched sign above the main entrance, the Erie Zoo at 423 W. 38th St. restored its mosaics and steel gates to help welcome visitors. Erie Zoo CEO and President Roo Kojancie said the project took six to eight months to complete.

"This gate combines historical elements while adding a fresh and modern feel to the gate," Kojancie said. "We spent a lot of time in the design process (because) we wanted to make sure that we got this just right and ... make sure we restored the mosaics to their original glory.”

The new sign and front entrance was made possible by architect work from David Brennan of Considine Biebel and Company, along with graphics designed by Alex Strasser.

"It’s really exciting because it means a lot to the children of the zoo," Brennan said. "What’s also important is the history of the tile of the main gates. So I think those two together really made it an interesting and fun project. What’s most exciting more than the design is making it welcoming for the kids and the wild life art.”

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The design concepts changed as the budget for the project shifted throughout the process, Brennan said.

"At first we were like, if we get this much funding what could we do to make this special. We can expand it, make it taller, wider," Brennan said. "This was a summation of looking at the budget, looking at the focused look at the art and also the restoration of the tile."

Don Larson was the original creator of the mosaics at the front gates back in the 1970s. Strasser was the artist who repaired and reinstalled the design seen on the sides of the entrance.

Larson's family was present at the unveiling and shared historic photos of Larson and his team creating the original art.

In memory of a former zoo employee

The new archway and updated mosaics was made possible by a donation in memory of John Masterson, a former zoo employee who was cherished throughout his time at the zoo.

“John worked at the zoo when he was young," said Monica Masterson, wife of John Masterson. "He took care of the baby elephant that was here, it was called Bubbles. He would stay with Bubbles and just fell in love with him and the zoo.”

On the front left pillar of the entrance stands a plaque commemorating the memory of Masterson reading "in loving memory of John W. Masterson, may the wind always be at your back."

“It’s just amazing," Masterson said. "We’re fortunate John had left a charitable trust and we were able to do this and help the zoo in his honor. He got passes every year for the zoo and for all the family to ensure everyone could come, so I try to continue that. Just to see that up there is just an honor.”

If you go ...

Address: 423 West 38th St.

Hours: The Erie Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March 1 to Nov. 30.

Admission: $12 for ages 13 and up; $10 for ages 62 and up; $8 for ages 2 to 12. Free admission for ages 23 months and younger.

Website: eriezoo.org/

Contact Nicholas Sorensen at nsorensen@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Entering the Erie Zoo: View new front entrance sign, mosaics that honor site's history