Fresh off the drawing board, the next phase of Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs. Dr. Wendy Arsenault, a semi-retired veterinary cardiologist, says she’s excited to help plan improvements and enhancements as chairperson of the board of directors.
Arsenault has served on the nonprofit Wonder Gardens’ board since November 2022 before becoming chairperson early this year to help negotiate a public-private partnership operating agreement with the City of Bonita Springs that was approved in April.
“I wanted to do anything I could to move the partnership forward,” she said. “I’m glad I could be a part of that, and now we have a clear path for the future.”
The agreement helped pave the way for the next phase of improvements and fundraising for Wonder Gardens through its master plan. The plan includes fundraising and building a new Animal Care Center that will help with accreditation with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Other plans include an elevated canopy, an event building, amphitheater, discovery zone, enhanced alligator exhibit and more. A long-planned otter exhibit is hoped to be completed later this year.