Second phase of $36M Riverbanks Zoo expansion now open

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The second phase of a $36 million expansion at Columbia’s popular Riverbanks Zoo is now open.

The new exhibit is called “Waterfall Junction” and it’s a 3-acre children’s garden in the zoo’s Botanical Garden.

Local media outlets report the exhibit includes a 25-foot waterfall, giant tree houses, a vegetable garden and a dig where little ones can unearth make-believe dinosaur fossils.

The first phase of the zoo expansion opened last year and features a new zoo entrance and gift shop as well as river otter and grizzly bear exhibits.

The final phase is a new sea lion exhibit which is scheduled to open in June.