Guest Comfort Station and Sensory Explorers
Akron Zoo | March 2, 2026
Margaret Reymann Skinner
Vice Chairman | Charles and Salome Reymann Foundation
Good Morning! I am Margaret Reymann Skinner, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Charles and Salome Reymann Foundation. My brother and Chairman of the Board, Steve Reymann, sends his regrets that he cannot be here today due to recovering from recent surgery.
In preparing for this event, I asked Steve for his thoughts on the Akron Zoo and this project. He proceeded to share his experience at the Zoo in 1953, when mom and dad took Steve and his little friend across the street, Bobby Smith, to the Zoo to celebrate Steve’s 4th birthday. Not to point out the obvious in Steve’s age, but that was 73 years ago ☺.
Steve said the entire day was MAGICAL. He was fascinated by a bridge walkway arching over a concrete pond with filled with fish. Steve was absolutely convinced that those fish were sharks. Not just any sharks, but man-eating. He was AMAZED that he was that close to such fierce predators.
Mom and Dad, Steve and Bobby covered every inch of the Zoo, taking in all the sights, OOHing and AAHing at all the natural habitats, and having the most WONDERFUL birthday experience that a four-year old could ever have on a sunny June day. Steve not only had a great time, but he walked away KNOWING that he BELONGED here, among the kind people, beautiful grounds and amazing animals.
But as Steve was relaying this experience to me, my mind was stuck back at the one word he uttered at the beginning of his story. MAGICAL. Imagine a child, and all visitors for that matter, experiencing MAGIC upon each stroll within the Zoo gates.
Ironically, little four-year old Stevie could have written part of the Zoo’s Vision Statement, “To create excitement and stir passion in every visitor, and become a champion of our natural world.” And he FELT the Zoo’s value statement of “You Belong”. The Zoo lived up to these statements way back then, and they continue to embody them today and every day.
It is an incredible thing when humans, big and small, have an opportunity to connect so deeply with animals and nature. Everyone benefits, and every child – whether they be able-bodied or differently abled — deserves the chance to have a day like Steve did. He never forgot that day, and we are thrilled to, in part, help make similar Zoo experiences just as memorable by accommodating visitors who may need a little extra “comfort”.
Our goals at The Charles and Salome Reymann Foundation align so well with this project at the Akron Zoo. We are dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities, and we are honored to sponsor the Comfort Station, and look forward to the introduction of the Sensory Stations throughout this Spring and Summer.
Thank you for allowing us to partner with you on such an exciting initiative.