ARCOLA, Ill. (WAND) – What started as a dream has become a decade-long reality for the Aikman family.
Aikman Wildlife Adventure has celebrated 10 years of bringing animals, education and unique experiences to Central Illinois.
James Aikman, president and co-founder, remembers how quickly the idea came to life. He told WAND News it feels like just yesterday they bought the property and started building the park.
"We knew this was what we were supposed to be doing," James said.
From the beginning, the Aikmans wanted to make the park different from a traditional zoo. It was designed as Illinois' first and only drive-thru wildlife experience, where animals roam freely across acres of open land.
"Our walk-through side is set up more like a zoo, but the drive-thru side is definitely more like an African safari," James explained. “We’ve called it a wildlife park from the beginning because it’s something unique.”
James works alongside his brother, Andrew. The brothers have spent the last decade expanding on that original idea. Five years ago, they opened the Museum of Prehistoric Life, which features life-size models of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals that visitors can touch and take pictures with. Wildlife Manor, an overnight Airbnb experience, followed soon after, along with Rustic Acres, a wedding and reception venue and the Masters of All Toys Museum.
“People actually pull out their cell phones more in that section than anywhere else at the park,” James said.
Andrew Aikman said the family always knew they wanted the park to be something that lasted for generations.
“Ten years is definitely an accomplishment, but we’re already looking at the next 10 years and beyond,” he said. “My brother has five kids, I have two, and we want them to eventually take this over and continue the dream.”
Running a family business has come with its challenges. Andrew says his brother is the dreamer, while he sees himself as more of a realist, but their different perspectives help shape decisions. One thing has remained the same: their passion for providing families with something fun to do.
Andrew, who leads many of the wagon tours, says he has watched children grow up alongside the park.
“At this point, we’ve had families who came here with babies, and now those kids are ten years old,” he said.
Field trips have also become a big part of the park’s impact. Last year alone, more than 6,000 students came through. Andrew says the excitement never gets old.
“The reactions we get—kids saying this is the best day ever—that makes all the hard days worth it."
The park spans 40 acres, with half dedicated to the drive-thru safari and the other half to walk-through exhibits and parking. The Aikmans also have plans to expand into the museum.
“We have all kinds of plans and ideas. We definitely see the museum growing and expanding, and we’ll keep adding more cool, amazing things at the wildlife park,” James said.
For the Aikman family, the wildlife adventure has always been more than a business.
“We always say this is God’s park, we’re just running it for Him,” Andrew said.
Aikman Wildlife Adventure is located at 125 N. County Road 425E, Arcola, Illinois. There is an upcoming fall festival on Sept. 20. For hours of operation, click here.
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