A Touching Tribute Hidden at Buttonwood Park Zoo

The next time you visit Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford, keep your eyes peeled for a touching tribute from the zoo's supporters. Nearly 300 legacy bricks are installed at the entrance of Charlie’s Nature Play, just over the covered bridge in the back half of the zoo.

How the Legacy Brick Project Began

"The bricks were a suggestion from our previous board president, Marion Wainer, who led the Zoological Society Board of Directors for 15 years," Executive Director Sarah Henry said.

"While we were building the Animal Ambassador Center and refreshing Charlie’s Nature Play, she had the idea to allow the community to leave their legacy in the new space," Community Relationship Manager Katie Correia said.

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The legacy bricks are a small way of saying thank you to community members who keep the zoo going.

"The zoo is such a special place in our community and we wanted to allow them to become a physical part of our future," Correia said.

Messages That Tell a Story

Exactly 277 bricks can be found, each one featuring a different message. "Some folks chose to honor a passed loved one, others opted to dedicate a space to their parents, children or grandchildren who love the zoo," Correia said.

"Some wanted to inspire wisdom with a quote and some simply wanted to leave behind a silly message to bring joy. There was no right or wrong way to leave your legacy which is what made this project so special," she said.

How to Leave Your Own Legacy

For those interested in legacy giving or the purchasing of bricks in the future, contact KCorreia@bpzoo.org or call (508) 991-4556, extension 119.

"With ongoing projects all over the zoo, there is always an opportunity to leave your legacy such as memorial plaques, on chairs, benches, or habitats," Correia said.