Middlesex County has second thoughts on closing Johnson Park zoo

PISCATAWAY - Middlesex County is having second thoughts about closing the Johnson Park Animal Haven.

Middlesex County Board of Commissioners President Ronald G. Rios said at Thursday's Board of Commissioners meeting that while it's in the county's "interest to close that animal haven," the county wants to have a "professional" perform an assessment on all of the county park zoos in Johnson Park, Thompson Park and Merrill Park.

"The mission of the animal haven has always been to make sure we take good care of the animals and have them here," Rios said. "The Board of County Commissioners intends to solicit a professional to do an assessment and review all of the infrastructure in Middlesex County. It will give an assessment of all of the parks and what we can do with those animals to make sure they are safe and in a good place — whether it be in our county park system or whether it be to go to a sanctuary or to zoos."

But Ashley Hartwik, a founder of Friends of the Johnson Park Animals (FJPA), the group that has advocated closing of the facility, said the group will be a watchdog over the study process.

"Our primary concern now is to ensure that the 'independent consultant' truly is independent and not connected to the zoo workers, their relatives or county workers," Hartwik said. "The county must be fully open, honest and transparent in their process of choosing an independent consultant, and disclose all conflicts of interest, as well as the dollar amount the taxpayer will be paying the consultant."

MORE: 'They deserve a better life': Calls grow louder for Middlesex County zoo to be shuttered

Hartwik said the FJPA has been keeping a close eye on the county and the zoo.

"We have spent the past three months making Open Public Records Act requests to learn the full scope of animal illnesses, injuries, and deaths at the zoo," Hartwik said. "Despite repeated delays from the county we are now in possession of dozens of pages of documents, including text and email communications records, as well as veterinary records. We will ensure that the consultant, and the board of commissioners, are fully aware of the conditions at the zoo."

Following the severe floods from the remnants of Hurricane Ida on Sept. 1, the county announced in mid-October that would close the facility after "careful consideration and comprehensive research, and in recognition of the increasing threat that severe weather poses to Johnson Park."

The park occupies an almost 5-mile strip of flood plain along the Raritan River in Piscataway and Highland Park. According to FEMA, the entire park is a high-risk flood zone.

At the time, the county said the animals would be moved to sanctuaries, zoos and rescue farms across the state and that the process was underway.

But Hartwik said FJPA was disappointed with the county's progress.

PHOTOS: Animal welfare advocates call for Johnson Park Animal Haven to be shuttered

"It's always shameful when politicians promise one thing just before an election, and then go back on it immediately after the election, but we are especially horrified by how the 14 sanctuaries who stepped up to rescue the animals from the flood zone were treated," Hartwik said.

There have been only two sanctuaries that were able to find a new home for the animals, Hartwik said.

"Sanctuaries were repeatedly given pickup dates which were then canceled, and were repeatedly asked to wait for the next week, and the next," Hartwik said. "The entire time, this was being planned behind closed doors, despite the sanctuaries waiting ready and turning away other animals."

Rios explained that the review will give the county "all options." He said the study will be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2022.

"We are going to be waiting for that assessment from a professional consultant," Rios said. "We are working on getting proposals from a processional."

MORE: Middlesex County zoo will close following calls from animal advocates

The county's counsel, purchasing department and parks department are working together to draft a proposal for the "scope of work that we want them to do," Rios said.

Rios said the decision to hire a consultant was prompted by from other "animal lovers" who want to keep animals in Johnson Park.

"Our interest is to make sure the animals are safe and that we have animals in the park systems for people to enjoy as well," he said.

READ: Future of Middlesex County zoo remains uncertain

Hartwik said the FJPA believes county officials came under pressure from some animal haven employees, their relatives and other associates.

"Several sanctuaries were also warned by county officials there could be angry groups hostile to them when they came to pick up the animals," Hartwik said.

Email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Middlesex County has second thoughts on closing Johnson Park zoo