Monkeyland

Est. 1971 — Exit 114, behind the fireworks outlet

Fifty-five years. The paperwork survives.

1971
Monkeyland opens with sixty monkeys and no fence, in that order. By closing time we have sixty monkeys. Different ones. But sixty, and the Founder calls that a wash.
1974
The word “incident” acquires its park-specific meaning. The counter is installed. It reads zero, which at the time we mistake for a starting point rather than a lifestyle.
1979
The petting zoo’s direction of petting reverses. Nobody is able to say exactly when, which the insurance company finds “material.”
1988
Ranked America’s 4th-most-survivable primate park in an industry survey of four. We frame it. The other three become condominiums, which we consider quitting.
1994
Terry is hired for the summer.
1996
Action Park closes in New Jersey, and we lower the flag to half-mast. They were the only ones who understood us. We exchanged Christmas cards, staff, and — twice — lawyers. Their Cannonball Loop lives on in our hearts, and in a half-finished structure behind the Banana Pavilion that guests are asked to stop climbing.
1999
monkeyland.org goes online. Marcel arrives the same week, already furious about something that, to be clear, predates us.
2004
The Founder steps down. From what, into what, toward where — the file is sealed and the chimps aren’t talking, though they clearly know.
2018
The website stops being updated, out of respect. For what, ask Terry. Do not ask Terry.
This June
The zebra.
2026
Everything is fine now. — Terry

Meet the team

Terry — Operations, Legal, Medical, Grief

With Monkeyland since 1994, a sentence Terry asks us to render in the passive voice. Certifications: expired, but held with confidence. Terry has seen everything, and has the bench to prove it.

Susan — Group Bookings

Susan is a macaque. Susan took over group bookings in 2019 after acquiring the office phone by force. Bookings are up 40%. We do not ask how. Susan does not offer.

Marcel — Guest Relations

Marcel maintains relationships with every guest who has ever made eye contact. Maintains them. For years. Marcel’s list is long, alphabetized, and begins with Dave.

The Founder