Elmwood Park Zoo announced today that construction of its new Animal Hospital and Welcome Center is scheduled to begin the first week of January 2023. The state-of-the art building, made possible by a $30 million gift from an anonymous local donor, will replace the zoo’s existing main entrance, administrative offices, and Nature Shop.
The zoo will close to the public through January and February 2023 so that it can safely demolish the existing building and entrance. It will create a temporary entrance away from the construction zone that will be available when the zoo reopens to guests in March 2023. Details on the temporary entrance will be made available at a future date.
Guests who possess an active yearly membership through February 2023, or purchase a yearly membership before March 2023, will automatically receive two extra months of benefits as a result of the closure. Elmwood Park Zoo’s yearly members regularly receive free zoo admission and exclusive discounts for an entire year.
Construction on the hospital and welcome center is expected to last just under two years. The zoo aims to complete the project in 2024 to coincide with its 100th anniversary.