Cleveland Metroparks And Keybank Partner To Launch Adventurekeys

Major expansion of exploration program will debut at upcoming Susie’s Bear Hollow opening

Cleveland Metroparks today announced a partnership with KeyBank to launch AdventureKeys, a major expansion of the historic ZooKeys program. The new program will offer guests a collectable key that can be used to unlock exclusive video messages at locations across Cleveland Metroparks and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. AdventureKeys will officially debut on Friday, August 25th at the opening of the new Susie’s Bear Hollow habitat at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

“AdventureKeys is a significant evolution of the popular ZooKeys program, designed to encourage hands-on learning and fun at both Cleveland Metroparks and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo,” said Cleveland Metroparks Chief Marketing Officer Kelly Manderfield. “Thanks to KeyBank, more of our young visitors will be able to explore and learn about nature, animals and the importance of protecting our natural world.”

Originally offered in the 1960s, the KeyBank ZooKeys were reintroduced at the Zoo in 2017 as part of Cleveland Metroparks’ 100-year anniversary. AdventureKeys is an expansion on the program that now incorporates exclusive video messages from experts and expands from the Zoo to all five Cleveland Metroparks Nature Centers. Children can collect new keepsake keys to unlock exclusive, educational messages specific to iconic zoo animals, the natural world and park landmarks and hidden gems.

AdventureKeys will be available beginning on Friday, August 25th with the grand opening of Susie’s Bear Hollow, the Zoo’s all new habitat for Andean and sloth bears. At launch, guests can use their AdventureKey to activate messages at eight iconic locations in Cleveland Metroparks Zoo including animals like Western lowland gorillas, Masai giraffes and African elephants. Each AdventureKey location will feature several exclusive video messages revealing fun facts about animal species, the inside scoop on individual animals and a behind-the-scenes look at conservation efforts. Later this fall, AdventureKeys will debut at all five Nature Centers located across the Emerald Necklace with additional locations to be announced at a later date.

“KeyBank is thrilled to partner with one of Northeast Ohio’s greatest assets, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, on the launch of the AdventureKeys program,” said Kelly Lamirand, KeyBank’s Cleveland Market President and Commercial Sales Leader. “The Metroparks offer children and families such a unique opportunity to discover the world around them, and the AdventureKeys program will provide yet another avenue to hands-on education. We can’t wait for residents and visitors to unlock the adventure.”

The AdventureKey features a unique gorilla design in homage of the Zoo’s two youngest gorillas. Each year, a new key will be offered featuring a different animal. Keys are $2 and can be reused throughout the year. Only one key is needed to unlock all of the video messages. The keys can be purchased on-site at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. AdventureKeys will feature video in addition to audio and are subtitled in English and Spanish. Visit FutureForWildlife.org/AdventureKeys for more information.