t

Park Everything From Lots of Activities

NUMAR THE LION gets ^ scratch from zoo k&per Hal Prickett It’s not a petting zoo, however, so don’t expect to get this close to the klni£ of the zoo.

To a Little Zoo

by Sfllrlianne Gunther CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE - Hal Prickett isn’t “lion” when he says he has a roaring good time at his job at the County Park. Prickett, 24, one of the cokeepers at zoo here, has a special affection for one of his charges-— Numar, the zoo’s lion. “He roars when I come into work and he’s the first one I say “good morning” to,” Prickett said, petting the huge beast through the bars of its cage. Numar rolled his head to the side and tried to get closer to Prickett. There seemed to be a mutual respect and love between the two. “Lions are king of the jungle artd Numar is king of the zoo,” Prickett said proudly. NUMAR SEEMED TO AGREE completely with that remark and squeezed his head between the bars to lick Prickett’s hand. “He’s beautiful...see, he knows me,” Prickett said happily. Numar paced his cage and paWed playfully at his bowling ball.X "This is probably the most sur\ E rising position anyone could ave,” said Prickett. “I thought I’d be a truck driver,” he said laughing and fondling the lion. The “lion lover” seemed to have no fear of the big African beast and even though Numar is de-clawed, his teeth are sharp evidence of his power. Prickett warned that others shouldn't get friendly with the lion and pointed to the second protec—on the cover Numar the Mon yawns for photographer Bonnie Grove. The Zoo and the rest of the County Park is anything but booring.

live fence outside Numar’s cage. The lion will be four years old on November 14. He was donated to the zoo while still a cub, by the Chatterbox Nursery School in Cape May Court House. Unknown to many residents in Stone Harbor, Numar spent his early Ijfe in an upstairs apartment there under the care of former CETA

COMMONLY CALLED a Rtlndrtr. there's a more fancy (and correct) name for this animal; see it on the plaque outside the cage.

park employee Howard Stoddard. PRICKETT AND OTHER employees have a lot of concern for Numar and the other 100 animals and birds living in the

park. The zoo was vandalized a few years ago and several animals were killed. Now there is a 24-hour surveillance at the zoo. In addition, Prickett, other employees and concerned locaj residents check the zoo animals on their own time. The zoo was inspired and created through the ideas and efforts of Leon A. Fulginiti, park director. Fulginiti served on the Park Commission prior to becoming the 1 director seven years ago. Since his involvement with the 120-acre park, many improvements and additions (such as the zoo) have been made. The park, located approximately two miles north of Cape May Court House on Route 9, includes picnic areas <some with shelters), tennis courts; ^ballfields, playgrounds, pond, croquet, bocce, hop scotch, tetherball and basketball courts. Also-a bike course, shuffleboard, horSeshoe, archery range, scoutf camping area, volleyball, bgdminton, nature trail, wilderness area and countless other recreational facilities. TWENTY-FOUR DIFFERENT tree species are, found in the natural areas anil birdwatchers delight in finding more than 150 species of birds. Thfe park's lake abounds with Geese, ducks...and fish. There is ice skating (weather permitting) in the Winter. The park isn’t just a showpiece. More than 125,000 people use the facilities during the year. It is open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. (or dark, whichever comes first). For more than a dozen years the •“park has offered public concerts every Sunday during the summer beginning at 2 or 2:30 p.m. The small office located at the park entrance is manned by Fulginiti and secretary Louisa Barbour. Ms. BarboUr has worked at the park for ten years. In all, there are only some 13 employees, including Ms. Barbour. "WE LOST ALL our CETA employees,”,Fulginiti said. , “But our employees all know their job," Ms. Barbour added, : emphasizing that for such a big park and small staff, they do a tremendous job. The park can be expanded, and Fulginiti is looking forward to the development of County ParkSouth, located in the Del-Haven-Villas area. "All we need is funding," he notes. Within the park, an historic cemetery is maintained. Buried there are some of the early pioneers of the area including Elijah Matthews, who was killed on

MORE TUAN 20 dillrrmt kinds of trrosond ISO spooks of birds may bo soon (if you know .Shir(lannp Gunther is a frequent what you'ro looking fori at tho County Park. And on a hot sdmmor's day. tho sign, at contributor to Cape May-County right, has a cooling effect, if only psychologically. Magazine.

Sept. 12, 1779. The park is on the site of part of the original Matthews Plantation of the 1700s. In 1942, 40 acres of the Matthews Plantation was donated and later expanded to 104 acres including 16 acres east of Rt. 9 In 1969 the Allen residence was acquired along with an additional 13

acres.

THE NINE-MEMBER park commission was established Feb. 5,1963,.and in 1969 a major expansion of the facilities were made. Since that time the park has moved with the times and-the zoo is one of the latest, most exciting enterprise.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes,"

HANGING IN THERE, another of the zoo creatures looks back at the animals looking in at him...or is it a her? Ms. Barbour faid. "A lot of good changes. The zoo is a good change.” “We still need help with monies to feed the animals,” Fulginiti said. People are encouraged to “adopt” a park animal by sending in donations for feed directly to the park. Rt. 9, Cape May Court House, N.J. 08210. On August 15 and 16 a gala fair wfill be held with rides, games, entertainemtn and refreshments with all monies to go to help maintain the zoo. Fulginiti, headkeeper Ed Lanza, assistant Shelly Watkins and Prickett are hopeful the event will be well attended. Numar? He hopes it will be a roaring success! : —County Park Commission ’ Sunday Kptrrtninmrnt Schedule Aug. 2, 2:30. Larry Ferrari Organist Aug.'9, 2:30, Man Desediero Cor' da vox Saturday & Sunday. August 15th & Kith County Fair - ftenefit Courtly Park Zoo Aug 16, 2:00 Charlie Dee’s Band; 3:00, Victorian Chorus Aug. 23,2:00, Young at Heart; 3:00, Swingin’ Old Timers Aug. 30, 2:30, Capclli Silvain Singer , Sept 6. 2:30, Evelyn Pilla Soprano; 3:00/ Delco Chapter SPEBSOSA Sept 13, 2:30. Garden State String Band.

CAPE MAY COUNTY MAGAZINE/3