Bearizona Taking Shape

CYNDY COLE Sun Staff Reporter | Posted: Monday, March 1, 2010 5:30 am

A drive-through wildlife park is projected to open in Williams by mid-May, providing tourists with views of wolves, bears and bison from their vehicles and a walking area with bear cubs, javelina, raccoons and otters in enclosures.

The 158-acre, $15 million park, Bearizona, is now under construction on the east side of town, in a forested area just south of Interstate 40.

Bearizona Shoots for May Opening

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Over 50 positions available

WILLIAMS -Construction continues at Bearizona despite this winter's heavy snowfall. The project's developers plan to open phase one of the drive-through animal park by the beginning of summer.

Chief Operating Officer Vanessa Stoffel said the park will likely open in May.

"We're shooting for Mother's Day," she said. "Our construction slowed down a little bit because of the weather but we've still been moving forward. We have our admissions building probably 30 percent done and we have our shop and animal care facility 75 percent complete. We've still been making some progress on the roads and exhibit fences."

Stoffel went on to say that animals should begin arriving in April but before that happens, the wildlife park will begin its employee hiring process.

Bearizona wildlife park to open in Williams

By TYLER BALDWIN
azfamily.com
Monday, October 26, 2009

A new kind of attraction could soon be heading to Northern Arizona.

The Williams City Council has just approved a plan for Bearizona, bringing the new family fun spot a step closer to reality.

Phase one of Bearizona theme park scheduled to open in May

By RYAN WILLIAMS
Williams-Grand Canyon News Reporter
Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Park could lure more visitors to Williams

It looks like bears, wolves, mountain lions and buffalo will likely be moving back into the hills above the city of Williams. According to developer Sean Casey, the Bearizona theme park is expected to be up and running in its first phase by May 2010. The park will be located near the Highway 64 and Interstate 40 junction on a parcel of land previously owned by the Keethler family.

Casey spoke to members of the Williams Rotary Club Oct. 8 saying that the city of Williams and its residents have been extremely supportive of the project.

Approvals for Bearizona

By PATRICK WHITEHURST
Associate Grand Canyon News Editor
Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Signage, master plan gets approved Sept. 10

The Bearizona attraction moved a few steps closer to becoming a reality, thanks to recent approvals from the city of Williams. Members of Williams City Council voted to approve the facility's developmental master plan during their regular meeting Sept. 10. City officials also voted to approve a variance for signage at the park during the meeting. Bearizona officials hope to have the park open by May of next year.

Williams City Planner Harry Holmes said four billboards are planned for the highway area, as well as additional LED billboards.

Bearizona Taking Shape

Bearizona Shoots for May Opening

Bearizona wildlife park to open in Williams

Phase one of Bearizona theme park scheduled to open in May

Approvals for Bearizona

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