Dallas City Council members expressed strong support on Monday for a $100 million improvement plan at the Dallas Zoo.
The plan, proposed for the site on Interstate 35E, aims to sustain the progress in zoo attendance, stature, and competitiveness with the Fort Worth Zoo. Dallas voters will have a say in May regarding part of the funding for the plan.
On a pleasant Monday, the Dallas Zoo saw many visitors, including Sandra Scott, a grandmother who has been visiting the zoo since childhood. She remarked on the continual improvements and changes at the zoo over the years.
Since a public-private partnership took over the zoo’s operation from the city in 2009, the state’s oldest and largest zoo has seen growth in attendance, private fundraising, and educational programs.
Notably, the Giants of the Savanna elephant habitat exhibit, opened in 2010, doubled Dallas Zoo attendance, while the Simmons Hippo Outpost, unveiled in 2017 with $17 million in private philanthropy, further contributed to the zoo’s success.
The new Chief Executive Officer, Lisa New, emphasized the opportunity presented by the current $100 million improvement campaign to revitalize parts of the zoo that have been inactive for years.
The zoo is seeking $30 million from the City of Dallas to be included in the $1.25 billion May bond referendum, with plans to raise the remaining funds from contributions and other sources.
Key elements of the improvement plan include the removal of the old zoo monorail to make room for a Safari Trail exhibit, a Great Elephant Room, a Wild Earth Discovery education center, a new parking garage, and access to the planned Southern Gateway Deck Park.
Members of the Dallas City Council Parks, Trails, and Environment Committee praised the plan presented by zoo officials on Monday, acknowledging the zoo’s significance as an economic engine for the Southern Sector while remaining a cherished asset for Dallas residents.
Council members commended the zoo’s commitment to continuous improvement and recognized its status as a renowned institution. The plan received broad support from both council members and visitors like Sandra Scott, who appreciate the zoo’s ongoing enhancements.
To secure the new city funding, voters must approve the larger package of Dallas Park improvements as part of the May public improvement bond referendum. Established in 1888, the Dallas Zoo has been a staple in the community for 135 years.
