Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora has a special place in the hearts of people, but especially for two brothers.
Ron Moses and his older brother, Edwin, grew up in a cottage nestled among the towering oak trees on the Phillips Park campus.
Their father, Ray Moses, served as superintendent of city parks for more than six decades. Their grandfather, George, was caretaker of the city park system in 1910.
“There were always lots of animals to play with, and we always had a summer job,” Ron Moses said.
While the zoo was established in 1915, the expansive park property for what eventually would become Phillips Park was deeded to the city in 1899, according to an Aurora timeline.
The zoo, cared for by Randy Johnson, is home to about 84 animals representing 40 different species, including two beloved otters and a king-sized mountain lion.
“We are one of only two free zoos in Illinois,” Johnson said. “Our zoo is relatively small, and that makes it easier for families with young children.”
Phillips Park Zoo celebrated its 100th anniversary Saturday, when visitors that marveled over the meticulously groomed campus were interested in being part of the historic occasion despite a rainy day.
The event featured workshops with zookeepers and close encounters with rehabilitated wildlife, including a great horned owl and an American bald eagle.
Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner said Phillips Park is far from being a hidden gem. “The entire park is very popular,” Weisner said.
The zoo’s exhibit in 1920 had five black bears, 10 monkeys, six elk, three buffaloes, two foxes, a wolf and hundreds of species of birds.
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Edwin Moses in 1984 retired as the city park system’s director after years of employment for the city. He recalled being a six-year old and how “mama bear and her cub” occasionally would venture out from the bear coop. A great horned owl lives in the habitat today.
“Once the big bear came to the house … standing on her hind legs she was looking into our window. Our dad would take a pan of warm milk and lead her back to the pen,” Moses said.
Among the other guests for the Phillips Park Zoo anniversary party was Dickens, a 19-year old great horned owl from Save Our American Raptors, a nonprofit for birds of prey. Beside her was Deshka, an American bald eagle from Alaska.
“Phillips Park Zoo is one of the nicest zoos,” said George Richter, director of SOAR. “You can actually get up close to the animals, and the facilities are meticulously maintained.”
There were bats and a couple of de-scented skunks on exhibit for the day as well.
“It was interesting to hold a skunk. The fur is very soft,” said Nick Caldarone, 17, of Naperville.
The teenager’s parents, Carrie Swift and Keith Guard, were experiencing their first visit to the zoo.
“We didn’t even know the zoo was here. It is amazing. It is the cleanest zoo we have ever seen. It is a beautiful place,” Guard said.
Enass Alkalidi, of Naperville, and her daughter, Juna, 10, were impressed with the iguana. “The reptile is huge. I like the variety of animals here. I would like to have a zoo when I grow up,” the youngster said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.