Akron Zoo

The Akron Zoo is a 50-acre (20 ha) non-profit zoo in Akron, Ohio, located just west of downtown.

The Akron Zoo is home to over 1,000 animals from over 100 different species and receives over 400,000 visitors each year. The animal exhibits are divided into six different themed areas with animals from all over the world. Summit County's most popular attraction is the zoo. The Akron Zoo is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Akron Zoo, as an AZA member, participates in breeding programmers to save endangered species.

History

George and Ann Perkins donated the 79 acres (32 ha) that is now Perkins Woods Park to Akron in 1900 for "the sole purpose of devoting the same to the uses of a public park, especially as a place for recreation for children." To that end, the Akron Museum of Natural History was founded in 1950, and the Akron Children's Zoo opened in 1953 in collaboration with the Museum. Mother Goose rhymes were illustrated with live animal exhibits at the children's zoo .Ten new exhibits opened in 1954, with one more, the Merry Miller, opening in 1955. Admission was free for all mentally challenged, handicapped, and underprivileged children thanks to the sponsorship of the Yusef-Khan Grotto .The zoo's name was changed to Akron Zoological Park in 1979, and the zoo's governance was transferred to the Board of Trustees by the City of Akron. The land was retained by the City of Akron, and the non-profit Akron Zoo now owned the entire zoo's contents. To provide a stable foundation for education and conservation goals, the zoo adopted a new theme of "North and South American Animals" .Between 1985 and 1988, the Akron Zoo invested nearly $500,000 in capital improvements. Special events such as Holiday Lights and Boo at the zoo increased the zoo's annual attendance, with 1988 breaking the attendance record of 128,344 visitors set in 1957. As the decade came to a close, the Akron Zoological Park was accredited by the American Zoological Association.The zoo's name was changed to Akron Zoological Park in 1979, and the zoo's governance was transferred to the Board of Trustees by the City of Akron. The land was retained by the City of Akron, and the non-profit Akron Zoo now owned the entire zoo's contents. To provide a stable foundation for education and conservation goals, the zoo adopted a new theme of "North and South American Animals" .Between 1985 and 1988, the Akron Zoo invested nearly $500,000 in capital improvements. Special events such as Holiday Lights and Boo at the Zoo increased the zoo's annual attendance, with 1988 breaking the attendance record of 128,344 visitors set in 1957. As the decade came to a close, the Akron Zoological Park was accredited by the American Zoological Association. The zoo opened the "Conservation Carousel" in 2010, which features rare and endangered animals.With 416,942 visitors in 2017, the zoo set a new attendance record.

Volunteers

The Akron Zoo has received a significant amount of funding and assistance through their adult volunteer programme. These volunteers, known as Edzoocators, frequently assist with special events, the most notable of which is Boo at the Akron Zoo, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. The Jr. zoo is a new addition to the zoo. Teen Interpreter Program Beginning in 2008, the Jr. Interpreters are teen volunteers who work up to 40 hours per week at the zoo during the summer.

Admission

$14 for adults

Senior Citizens (62 and up): $12

Children (2-14 years old): $11.

Infants (under 2 years old): FREE

Parking

$3 per vehicle online

On-site parking is $5 per vehicle.