Chicago Brookfield Zoo vs. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Who's idea was it to say that the Chicago Brookfield Zoo was one of the best in the country? This is one of the most rundown, lamest, and smallest zoo I have ever seen.

For example:

1) The food is expensive. Okay every zoo's food is going to be expensive. I get it. They have to pay for all the food & medicine for the animals. But that is no excuse for terrible tasting, wilting, dry, and expired food. FAIL

2) The Children's Zoo costs extra. Huh? Why? Granted, Cleveland Metropark's Children Zoo isn't the most impressive thing, but it's free, so who cares? As a parent, I would be mighty upset to have to pay to have my childred touch a dirty goat in the first place. FAIL

3) The Playground costs extra. Let me repeat that.... THE PLAYGROUND COSTS EXTRA MONEY! A BIG FAT, UNDENIABLE FAIL!

4) The poor animals are separated from each other (ex. In Cleveland & Toledo, quite a few species are in "enclosures" together because that's more natural). POOR

5) There is visible barbed wire and metal fencing surrounding the animals. In what country does barbed wire grow that an animal would be accustomed to it? FAIL

6) The viewing ports for the large cats is only about 6'x3", therefore few children esp can view the cats up close & personal. POOR

7) Everything is cramped together in a plot of about 216 acres compared to 188 at Cleveland's. The latter does more with a lot less. POOR space management. Duh!

8) The Rainforest in Brookfield is enough to cause someone to laugh. It's a 5 min walk through a smelly indoor house. The Cleveland Rainforest is separate & charges a separate fee, but it's a good 1/2 hour walk-through in a separate building. FAIL (Brookfield)

9) Brookfield costs $19 (unless you get the 'extras', then it's $24), while the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is FREE ON MONDAYS, $10 otherwise with the Rainforest being $7. So Cleveland's is still less expensive!!!! Again... FAIL (Brookfield)

10) Many of the animals were unavailable to view, therefore the pricing should've been reduced accordingly. FAIL

11) While Cleveland Metropark's Zoo is older by 40 years, Chicago Brookfield's feels older and is more rundown. FAIL

So, it's FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL.... with a few Poors. Nothing was worth the hour long drive, the expensive parking, animals unavailable, and the shitty atmosphere the animals are kept in.

Writing a letter to the Chicago Zoological Society, so if they send me free tickets to "make up for it", I'll give them free to a good home. And by good home, I mean lots of fencing & neighborhood kids sticking their tongues on your windows & you have to charge to play on the jungle gym (my suggestion would be a chocolate bar) & trips to the park, games & school should be charged accordingly as well.