Prospect Park Zoo

Prospect Park Zoo

Logo of Prospect Zoo, part of the Wildlife Conservation Society
Date opened	1890 (a menagerie); July 3, 1935 (city zoo); October 5, 1993 (wildlife conservation center)
Location	450 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, United States 11225, in Prospect Park
Coordinates	40°39′56.78″N 73°57′51.70″W / 40.6657722°N 73.9643611°W / 40.6657722; -73.9643611Coordinates: 40°39′56.78″N 73°57′51.70″W / 40.6657722°N 73.9643611°W / 40.6657722; -73.9643611
Land area	12 acres (4.9 ha)
No. of animals	627 (2007)
No. of species	141 (2007)
Memberships	AZA
Public transit access	New York City Subway:  trains at Prospect Park  trains at 15th Street – Prospect Park New York City Bus: B16, B41, B43, B48, B61, B67, B69
Website	www.prospectparkzoo.com

The Prospect Park Zoo is a 12-acre (4.9 ha) zoo located off Flatbush Avenue on the eastern side of Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York City. Its precursor, the Menagerie, opened in 1890. The present facility first opened as a city zoo on July 3, 1935, and was part of a larger revitalization program of city parks, playgrounds and zoos initiated in 1934 by Parks Commissioner Robert Moses. It was built, in large part, through Civil Works Administration and Works Project Administration (WPA) labor and funding.

After 53 years of operation as a city zoo run by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, Prospect Park Zoo, also colloquially known as "Brooklyn Zoo", closed on June 1988 for reconstruction. The closure signaled the start of a five-year, $37 million renovation program, that, save for the exteriors of the 1930s-era buildings, completely replaced the zoo. It was rededicated on October 5, 1993, as the Prospect Park Wildlife Conservation Center, joining an integrated system of four zoos and one aquarium managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), all of which are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

The Prospect Park Zoo presently offers children's educational programs, is engaged in restoration of endangered species populations, runs a wildlife theater and reaches out to the local community through volunteer programs. The zoo houses nearly 630 animals representing about 101 species. It averages 300,000 visitors annually.

The Prospect Park Zoo is part of the Wildlife Conservation Society integrated network of zoos and aquaria spread throughout New York City. Located at 450 Flatbush Avenue, across from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the zoo is situated on a 12-acre (4.9 ha) plot somewhat lower than street level in Prospect Park. Visitors may enter through the Flatbush Avenue entrance or from within Prospect Park, near Leffert's Homestead and the Carousel.