Proposed New West Entry at the Zoo

A guest amenity... The zoo's new west entry project will consolidate the existing West and North Entrances with a beautifully landscaped, guest friendly design, safely located for families with small children well away from busy city streets and zoo parking lots. It will reduce lines and long wait times to enter the zoo on busy days to just five minutes. And it will conveniently offer vital amenities commonly requested by our guests - outside bathrooms, member services, guest services and equipment rentals, coffee and refreshments, gifts and souvenirs.

There were six key objectives laid out in the zoo's Long Range Physical Development Plan, passed unanimously by City Council in November 2004 after an extensive 5-year public involvement process. Two of these objectives addressed the guest experience:

1) Provide facilities for social gathering, recreation and interactive learning for visitors of all ages, with a focus on programs that inspire conservation.

2) Improve the visitor experience, particularly for families with young children and during the zoo's off-peak times in late fall, winter and spring.

The new west entry project is an important component is reaching these well considered objectives.

A community amenity... The zoo's new west entry will provide a new community gathering space and pedestrian access, with easy access to zoo guests, neighbors and other visitors - whether they're planning a visit to the zoo or just passing through. A landscaped path will provide access from an existing bus stop and signalized crossing on Phinney Avenue. The west entry project will also open to the public another short path from the zoo's north parking lot to the west entry with stunning views of the North Meadow as well as more than 48,000-square-feet of landscaping and permeable surfaces to allow stormwater drainage.

A community asset... The west entry project's total cost is estimated at $6 million. These funds are expected to be paid for with private contributions earmarked for the project. When completed, all improvements will become the property of the City of Seattle.

Zoo Neighborhood Update - February 2008

Parking at the Zoo
In October, the Seattle Hearing Examiner issued a ruling disallowing Woodland Park Zoo’s planned parking garage.  The zoo did not appeal that decision.  We will not be building the parking facility that was originally planned.
 
Since then, we’ve celebrated the birth of a new baby gorilla.  And we’ve made great strides in designing and constructing our new flamingo exhibit for debut this summer.  We’re still committed to offering a world-class zoo to our community, while providing convenient access to zoo guests who want to see flamingos – or our baby gorilla as she grows up.
 
Give us your thoughts at webkeeper@zoo.org or write to: WPZ, Communications Dept., 601 N. 59th Street, Seattle, WA 98103

Woodland Park Zoo Long-Range Physical Development Plan

Why a new Long-Range Plan?
In 1976, Woodland Park Zoo revolutionized the world of zoos by moving animals out of barred enclosures and into naturalistic exhibits where they could thrive. Zoos all over the world followed our lead, and over the years we have won five prestigious awards from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums for exhibit design.

However, a plan that was "great" in 1976 does not meet the needs or standards of our animals, visitors or community in 2004. This new plan, unanimously passed by the Seattle City Council in October 2004, will ensure continued stewardship of this revered, 107-year-old institution. New facilities to be built over the next 20 years for our animals, visitors and staff include:

• Long-needed new exhibits for cougars, tigers and Asian bears, as well as exhibits for greater one-horned rhinos, desert animals and animals of the Asian Highlands.
• An interactive aviary, Willawong Station, where visitors can feed birds and learn about caring for birds in their home, their backyard and around the world.
• New conservation facilities that will enhance our ability to provide the highest quality of animal care.
• Discovery Village, a collection of learning centers that will expand our ability to inspire people to take conservation action vital to our planet's future.
• A new environmentally sensitive office that replaces a series of aging and energy-inefficient trailers.
• An events center that will host special gatherings such as birthdays, weddings, company parties.
• Zoomazium, is an interactive, year-round, all-weather indoor space for young children and their parents to experience the wonders of nature in a very playful, nature-theme area. Nearly half a million young people under the age of 9 live in the Puget Sound region; Zoomazium will give them the opportunity to explore the natural world through interactive play in a safe, education and fun setting.
• An historic antique carousel. Built in 1918 for the Cincinnati Zoo, the carousel has 48 horses and two chariots are all hand carved and original. It is considered one of the top 10 carousels in the nation, and was generously donated to Woodland Park Zoo by Linda and Tom Allen.

The new Long-Range Physical Development Plan is the result of an extensive public involvement process and we have incorporated many changes to respond to public and City input. We will continue to involve neighbors and others as we develop the various elements in the years ahead.

Over the next months we will decide upon both the timing and order of the next new facilities. Stay tuned for previews of the exciting exhibits and enhancements to your zoo.

Dr. Deborah B. Jensen
President and CEO
Woodland Park Zoo