(FOX40.COM) — The Sacramento Zoo is officially spreading its wings after reaching an agreement with the city to purchase two new plots of land, officials announced Tuesday.
This approval marks the first time the zoo will grow its pawprint in nearly 60 years. The zoo first opened in 1927 and currently sits on 14.3 acres of land.
“After almost 9 years working to find more room for our beloved zoo, this is a monumental step forward, providing the space and flexibility we need to thoughtfully make improvements and plan for the zoo’s future,” said Elizabeth Stallard, chair of the Sacramento Zoological Society board of trustees.
The zoo was in negotiations with the City of Elk Grove to relocate there, but plans fell through after a five-year exclusive agreement lapsed in 2025. The zoo then shifted its gaze back to Sacramento, envisioning the purchase of two plots adjacent to its current location.
The zoological society created a memorandum of understanding with the City of Sacramento in May regarding the purchase of roughly 4-acre and 1-acre land plots. This non-binding agreement required the zoo and the city to research the purchase’s potential effects on the Land Park community.
The roughly 4-acre plot is located across Land Park Drive, formerly the site of a private pony ride operation. The 1-acre plot is directly next to the zoo’s northern border and contains a memorial fountain and statue dedicated to early Sacramento resident Charles Swanston.
The zoological society revised an agreement with the city after the community voiced concern about the Swanston memorial to exclude it from the proposed purchase.
This recent agreement allows the zoo to “pursue expansion of the zoo in William Land Park, marking an important milestone in the zoo’s nearly 100-year history,” zoo officials said in a news release.
A required environmental review is the last step before the zoo can proceed with the purchase.
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