Endangered Species Carousel
Take a spin on Scovill Zoo’s beautiful, ADA accessible Endangered Species Carousel, featuring 30 hand-carved wooden animals representing protected and endangered species from across the globe. Two chariots on the carousel accommodate wheelchairs. Children under 42 inches tall must be accompanied by an adult.
New Carousel Animal added in 2024! The giraffe carousel animal has been carefully selected as a static animal, making it an ideal choice for children who may be hesitant or less confident about riding carousel animals that move up and down. Its still presence creates a gentle transition and introduces young riders to the magical world of carousel rides.
You can contribute to this educational experience! Adopt an Animal! For details, please call Julie MacDonna at 217-421-7435.
Admission
Tickets: $3.00/$2.50 for Friends of the Zoo
Hours: The carousel is open during regular zoo hours and special event times
Members Rides Pass – $145
Families with zoo memberships are invited to purchase a Members Rides Pass! Those who visit frequently will find unlimited train and carousel rides a real convenience. For just $145, members can ride the train and carousel as many times as they wish, all season long.
Rules
For your safety, please abide by all spoken directions as well as the following rules
- Use the stirrups for help getting on the animal. Don’t stand or put your feet on any part of the animal. Hold onto the brass pole. Don’t hold onto or hang your belongings on the animal’s ears, tails, or horns. Keep your legs and arms inside the carousel. Don’t throw or drop an object from or toward the carousel. Remain seated (or standing in one place, for accompanying adults) once the carousel is in motion. Dismount only after the carousel comes to a complete stop and the operator says it is safe to move.
Z.O. & O. Express Train
Our newly extended train ride includes views of additional zoo animals, a ride over a 30ft high bridge with breathtaking views of Lake Decatur, peeks at the Scovill Sculpture Park and access to the Children’s Museum of Illinois. Thanks to the Howard G. Buffett Foundation for partnering with the Decatur Parks Foundation to make this project a reality!
One of Scovill Zoo’s most popular attractions, the Z.O. & O. Express has transported tens of thousands of visitors each year. Added to the zoo in 1984, the train is a scaled replica of an 1863 C.P. Huntington Steam Train. C.P. Huntington, a California merchant in the 1800s, built and operated the Central Pacific Railroad. The Z.O. & O. Express is ADA accessible. Passengers in wheelchairs can board the train via a ramp and safely ride in a special, secure wheelchair area.
Extended Train Ride Admission
Tickets: $4.00/$3.50 for Friends of the Zoo. Children ages 1 and under are free. Groups of 10 or more may purchase discounted train tickets through our group visitor program by calling at least two weeks in advance at 217/421-7435.
Project Playground II
No visit to Scovill Zoo could be complete without a stop at Project Playground, a community-built, ADA-accessible playground that features a rock wall, music station, and lots of slides! The playground is free of charge and open year-round, weather permitting.
