Project Update
Greetings from Reid Park Zoo!
The new year is bringing exciting developments at the Zoo, including the recent birth of an endangered Grevy’s zebra foal on Christmas Day. Both mom and foal are doing well. A public contest is underway to help name the little female foal, and you can cast your vote on our website. We will announce the winning name on January 31 – International Zebra Day. Other significant births that will be occurring between now and early spring are new giraffe and elephant calves. All three of these births are important for their Species Survival Plans.
World of Play Giving Kids an Animals’ Eye View
We are thrilled to report that the new Angel Charity for Children World of Play opened in late October and is continuing to delight children as they explore their world in new ways. Construction on this nature playground project is complete.
New Parking Lot Now Open — Please Note Information Regarding Parking
Guests to Reid Park Zoo, Gene C. Reid Park amenities and the Edith Ball Adaptive Recreation Center (ARC) now have a new and more convenient parking option. A spacious new lot was recently opened at a public tailgate party in late December and is already accommodating day and evening visitors.
From Monday, January 15, on, the entrance to the swimming pools and facilities at the ARC will only be accessible from the new parking lot. The entrance to the parking lot is at the southeast corner of Hi Corbett Field.
There will also be other temporary closing of all or portions of the old Zoo and A.R.C. lots as the solar structures are finalized. Please watch for signs, and know that the new lot is always open.
Located in the previous Parks and Recreation maintenance yard, the roomy new lot features 433 spaces – 90 more than the old Zoo and ARC parking lots. It is just a short walk to the ARC and Zoo entrance, easing parking on busy days. There are also 54 accessible spaces right outside the ARC for further convenience. Signs are up to direct the way to the lot and to the Zoo.
The new lot covers existing hardscape – no greenspace – and has a number of environmentally-friendly features, including 100 new trees and plants in bioswales that will aid in stormwater run-off.
The new parking lot paves the way for the Zoo’s Pathway to Asia expansion, which is expected to begin in February 2024 and will be located in the Zoo’s old parking lot.
A few other notes about parking and accessibility to be aware of:
The lot located at the northwest corner of Randolph and 22nd Street (by the elephant statue) will close when Pathway to Asia construction begins for approximately 2 years as it is used as a construction staging area during the building of Pathway to Asia.
We thank you for your patience and your support at this busy time! While construction always brings a few headaches, we are working to minimize any disruptions and inconvenience for seamless access to the Zoo, the Park and the Adaptive Rec Center. In the end, these improvements and additions will be amazing new education, conservation and recreation resources for Tucson and for the preservation of animals around the world.
As construction begins on Pathway to Asia, the old Zoo lot will permanently close and guests will need to use the new parking lot to access the Zoo. We hope you will give the new lot a test drive soon!
Happy New Year, and we hope to see you soon at the Zoo.