Deer Tracks Junction, a drive-thru safari near Cedar Springs, is under new ownership that hopes to expand offerings while preserving the park’s longtime family-focused experiences.
Tim Robinson and his parents, Mark and Lois, purchased the park several months ago after the previous owners stepped down. Robinson told The Sentinel his family had been regular visitors before buying the business.
“We fell in love as guests and now have the opportunity to continue (the park’s) heart and soul onward,” he said.
The site, in business since 2002, is home to more than 40 animal species and offers two primary experiences: a walk-thru park and a drive-thru safari.
The walk-thru allows visitors to interact with animals like pigs, rabbits, birds, sheep, goats and turkeys. The drive-thru includes bears, cows, deer, llamas, bison and yaks, as well as a zebra and giraffe. Robinson said the range of options allows families to choose how they interact with the animals.
Day passes are $19.99 for one experience or $25.99 for both. Season passes range from $75 to $120.
“We have some families that come once a week,” Robinson said. “They’ll come just to get out of the house, walk and let their kids have a good time on the playset.”
In addition to elaborate playscapes, a bird-feeding house and an enormous corn kernel pit, Deer Tracks specializes in handmade ice cream, available without park admission.
The business partners with other zoos and parks to acquire animals, as well as breeding some on-site. The family accepts certain animal donations, including a recently gifted tortoise.
“We want to give animals a great place to live,” Robinson said, noting a dozen of the site’s bears are rescues.
While ultimately a warm-weather business, Deer Tracks hosts events year-round, including a drive-thru holiday light display and potential future fall activities.
For more information, visit deertracksjunction.com.
— Julie Davino is a freelance writer for The Holland Sentinel. Contact the newsroom at newsroom@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Did you know there’s a drive-thru safari an hour from Holland?
Reporting by Julie Davino, Special to The Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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By Julie Davino, Special to The Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
