Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, December 4, 1994 TAG: 9412050073
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RESTON LENGTH: Short
The 175 animals at the Reston Animal Park won't have to move for five years under a settlement reached last week between the owners of the popular Northern Virginia attraction and their landlord.
Park owners Robert and Shirley Johnson sued landlord Mack Crippen this year after Crippen asked them to leave the 30-acre site. Johnson said Crippen's request violated an agreement between the parties to rent the land for another 15 years.
A trial was scheduled to begin this month, but the two sides have reached an agreement that will allow the Johnsons to remain on the property for at least five years, paying rent of less than $30,000 a year.
``We are glad that it is over and settled,'' Robert Johnson said Friday. ``It would have been real hard to have to move quickly, both on the animals and on us.''
``Nobody wins in court,'' Crippen said.
The 14-year-old park attracts about 85,000 people a year from throughout the Washington area. The park's menagerie includes an elephant, bison, zebras, elk, llamas, a camel, apes, a lion and exotic birds.
Park supporter Joseph Stowers of Reston said it plays an important role.
``It is a delight to be able to see llamas and an elephant as you drive down the road or to go there with your children or grandchildren and pet them or touch them,'' Stowers said.
by CNB