John Ball Zoological Garden
 |
|
Entrance to John Ball Zoo.
|
|
| Date opened | 1891 |
|---|---|
| Location | Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States |
| Coordinates | 42°57′46.02″N 85°42′17.24″W / 42.9627833°N 85.7047889°WCoordinates: 42°57′46.02″N 85°42′17.24″W / 42.9627833°N 85.7047889°W |
| Land area | 140 acres (57 ha) |
| No. of animals | 2000+ |
| No. of species | 238 |
| Memberships | AZA |
| Website | www |
John Ball Zoological Garden is an urban park located on the west side of the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. The John Ball Zoo is situated on the ravines and bluffs along the west edge of the park.
The zoo houses a variety of animals from around the world and is a significant regional attraction. With the Zoo School and Wildlife Conservation Fund, the zoo gives something back to the community and world as a whole.
The zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and was the first zoo in Michigan to receive accreditation.
The original 40 acres (160,000 m2) of the park was donated to the city by noted pioneer and explorer John Ball upon his death in 1884. Shortly after, another 100 acres (0.40 km2) would be added and this marked the beginning of additional amenities, including ponds, a theater, a band shell, playgrounds, ball fields, trails, and the zoo. City commission records provide the first mention of animals at the park in 1891, when there was a debate about whether city money should be used to purchase more animals to add to the existing wounded and orphaned animals at the park.
During the Great Depression, the zoo fell on hard times. Most of the collection was given away to other zoos. The buffalo and deer were butchered to help feed the poor. Only a few aging animals remained.
During 1949, Katherine Whinery approached the mayor of Grand Rapids about resurrecting the zoo by forming a zoo society. A deal was formed that if a zoo society could be formed, the city would hire a zoo director to run the zoo. Fred Meyer was hired as the first director of the zoo. Construction of the Monkey Island Exhibit, the first major exhibit ever built, was started in 1949 with an opening date of June 1, 1950. During the 50-60s, John Ball Zoo was built in the hills of the park.
The John Ball Park and Zoo were operated by the City of Grand Rapids until 1989, when the park, known as a regional asset because of the zoo, was sold to Kent County. Kent County continues to operate and maintain the park and zoo.
...
Wikipedia