Plan will increase current Land Park site size by 40 percent with more room for animals, patrons
SACRAMENTO—The Sacramento Zoo is preparing for its most significant growth in more than half a century, as the nonprofit Sacramento Zoological Society has submitted a formal request to the City of Sacramento to expand the zoo’s footprint in its long-standing Land Park home.
The proposal outlines the addition of two parcels that would increase the zoo’s space by 40 percent, from its current 14.3 acres to 20.1 acres. The plan includes a 1.4-acre parcel on the zoo’s northern boundary, as well as a 4.4-acre site across Land Park Drive—an area previously used for pony rides that has since been vacant.
“This is an exciting moment for the Sacramento Zoo,” said Elizabeth Stallard, President of the Sacramento Zoological Society’s Board of Trustees. “We have always known that the zoo needs more space to meet the needs of our animals, support our mission, and provide the experiences our guests expect and deserve. We are thrilled to be working with the City on this effort, and can’t wait to plan for the zoo’s future right here.”
The announcement comes months after zoo leaders stepped away from a high-profile relocation plan to Elk Grove. That proposal envisioned a 65-acre modern zoo complex but faltered earlier this year amid economic uncertainty, rising construction costs, and concerns that scaling back the development would ultimately leave the zoo with fewer animal species than it houses today.
Instead, the new plan keeps the zoo rooted in Land Park, where it has operated since 1927. For city leaders, community advocates, and neighborhood associations, the decision represents not only stability but a reinvestment in a historic institution that welcomes more than 500,000 visitors annually and cares for more than 300 animals. The expansion also underscores a commitment to keeping the Sacramento Zoo in its longtime home.
Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty applauded the plan, calling the zoo a civic cornerstone. “The Sacramento Zoo has served this community for nearly 100 years, and is a beloved Sacramento institution. This expansion and partnership with the City will make sure the zoo is here for the next 100 years,” he said.
District 7 Councilmember Rick Jennings, whose district includes Land Park, also praised the proposal. “The Sacramento Zoo is one of the treasures of District 7, our city, and our region. I am so excited to see the expansion plans for the Sacramento Zoo. Turning the former pony ride area into new space for the zoo will create even more experiences for families and visitors to enjoy. I’m proud to stand alongside the zoo as a partner, and grateful for the way it continues to strengthen and connect our community.”
Neighborhood voices echoed that sentiment, emphasizing both support and the importance of the zoo’s continued presence in Land Park. “The zoo is a wonderful neighbor, we are excited to see it stay and we are looking forward to working with the zoo and the City to make that possible,” said Kris Rogers, President of the Land Park Community Association. Anthony Jackson, President of the South Land Park Neighborhood Association, added his endorsement: “As a South Land Park resident and community leader, I wholly support the proposed expansion of this treasured community asset.”
If approved, the project would mark the largest expansion of the Sacramento Zoo since the 1960s, when the facility added space to accommodate its growing collection. With more room, zoo officials say they can improve habitats, enhance visitor experiences, and sustain the nonprofit’s mission of conservation, education, and community engagement.
While timelines and specific development plans have not yet been finalized, zoo officials emphasized that the request represents a major first step toward building the future of the Sacramento Zoo without leaving the neighborhood that has defined it for generations.
“The zoo has always been more than just a place to see animals,” Stallard said. “It’s where families come together, where children first learn about the natural world, and where our community shows what it can do when it rallies behind something special. This expansion ensures that story continues.”
Copyright © 2025, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
