Elmwood Park Zoo, located in the state of Pennsylvania, has announced the start of construction on its new Animal Hospital and Welcome Center. The construction is set to begin the first week of January 2023 and is expected to be completed in 2024 to coincide with the zoo’s 100th anniversary. The new state-of-the-art building, which is being made possible by a $30 million gift from an anonymous local donor, will replace the current main entrance, administrative offices, and nature shop.
The zoo will be closed to the public through January and February 2023 to safely demolish the existing building and entrance. A temporary entrance will be available when the zoo reopens to guests in March 2023. Meanwhile, members who have an active yearly membership or purchase a yearly membership before March 2023 will receive two extra months of benefits as a result of the closure.
The 100 Years Campaign, which began receiving funding from generous donors in June 2021, is the largest capital-improvement undertaking in the zoo’s history. The $50 million campaign will completely overhaul the zoo’s 22-acre property, expanding its footprint and paving the way for its future.
The new animal hospital and welcome center are part of the first phase of the campaign, which has already received a lead gift of $30 million. Additional gifts, such as $2 million from J.P. Mascaro & Sons and $1 million from the Genuardi Family Foundation, have also been received, ensuring that the zoo is on its way to realizing its future. The zoo’s goal is to provide intimate and unique experiences for guests while ensuring that all aspects of the capital campaign are addressed, including accessibility, waste management, and guest comfort.
The new animal hospital and welcome center, along with the other planned improvements, will play a crucial role in the zoo’s transformation and will ensure its success for the next hundred years. The zoo encourages everyone to consider making a donation to the 100 Years Campaign and become a part of Elmwood Park Zoo’s future.
