The Sacramento Zoo is proposing to expand its footprint by approximately 5.8 acres, with city leaders set to vote Tuesday on establishing a framework to explore this potential expansion.The zoo, home to hundreds of animals across more than 14 acres, is looking to secure additional space to continue its operations in Land Park. “Extra space is needed for the zoo to really continue here in Land Park into the future. And so, we think this could be a solution to it,” said Dan Simon, CEO of the Sacramento Zoo. The proposed expansion would include a more than 4-acre lot known as the Pony Ride area near the Funderland Amusement Park. Land Park Pony Rides closed in 2022 after a 37-year run. The other spot for an expansion is a nearly one-and-a-half-acre lot on the zoo’s northern side. The two proposed sites would bring the total size of the zoo to 20.1 acres, representing a 40% increase.See the city council agenda item about the proposed zoo expansion here.”As time progresses, exhibits and habitats for animals, they just need more space,” Simon said. Current conceptual plans suggest the larger space would be used primarily for educational purposes, while the smaller space would accommodate more exhibits. “If we have more space, then things can move around and we can create a new exhibit, move some things, and that creates some land, and then we can develop,” Simon said.Kristina Rogers, president of the Land Park Community Association, expressed support for the zoo’s efforts to upgrade its facilities. However, Rogers emphasized the importance of community involvement in the expansion process.”We want to do what we can to support the zoo’s efforts to upgrade their facilities,” she said. “We just expect the zoo to really be thoughtful about how they’re going to align with our current park environment. So, things like parking, things like working with our community leaders in our organizations and having us at the table will tell us that they really want the zoo to be here for the next 100 years.”If the plan moves forward, it will mark the zoo’s largest expansion since the 1960s, a change Simon said is desperately needed. “It’s tough for us to do what we need to do when we’re limited by the acreage that we have here,” he said.The city council will vote on setting a framework to explore the potential expansion. If approved, they will have six months to gather public input, make concept plans, and decide on the next steps.This comes after plans fell through to relocate the zoo to Elk Grove for a 65-acre site. In April, zoo officials cited economic uncertainty and increased construction costs. It said plans for the development kept shrinking to the point where the zoo would have had to house fewer species than it currently does in Sacramento.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
The Sacramento Zoo is proposing to expand its footprint by approximately 5.8 acres, with city leaders set to vote Tuesday on establishing a framework to explore this potential expansion.
The zoo, home to hundreds of animals across more than 14 acres, is looking to secure additional space to continue its operations in Land Park.
“Extra space is needed for the zoo to really continue here in Land Park into the future. And so, we think this could be a solution to it,” said Dan Simon, CEO of the Sacramento Zoo.
The proposed expansion would include a more than 4-acre lot known as the Pony Ride area near the Funderland Amusement Park. Land Park Pony Rides closed in 2022 after a 37-year run.
The other spot for an expansion is a nearly one-and-a-half-acre lot on the zoo’s northern side.
The two proposed sites would bring the total size of the zoo to 20.1 acres, representing a 40% increase.
Sacramento Zoo/City Council
“As time progresses, exhibits and habitats for animals, they just need more space,” Simon said.
Current conceptual plans suggest the larger space would be used primarily for educational purposes, while the smaller space would accommodate more exhibits.
Sacramento Zoo/City Council
Sacramento Zoo/City Council
“If we have more space, then things can move around and we can create a new exhibit, move some things, and that creates some land, and then we can develop,” Simon said.
Kristina Rogers, president of the Land Park Community Association, expressed support for the zoo’s efforts to upgrade its facilities. However, Rogers emphasized the importance of community involvement in the expansion process.
“We want to do what we can to support the zoo’s efforts to upgrade their facilities,” she said. “We just expect the zoo to really be thoughtful about how they’re going to align with our current park environment. So, things like parking, things like working with our community leaders in our organizations and having us at the table will tell us that they really want the zoo to be here for the next 100 years.”
If the plan moves forward, it will mark the zoo’s largest expansion since the 1960s, a change Simon said is desperately needed.
“It’s tough for us to do what we need to do when we’re limited by the acreage that we have here,” he said.
The city council will vote on setting a framework to explore the potential expansion. If approved, they will have six months to gather public input, make concept plans, and decide on the next steps.
This comes after plans fell through to relocate the zoo to Elk Grove for a 65-acre site.
In April, zoo officials cited economic uncertainty and increased construction costs. It said plans for the development kept shrinking to the point where the zoo would have had to house fewer species than it currently does in Sacramento.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel