Elk Grove Zoo

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The City of Elk Grove and the Sacramento Zoological Society are partnering to develop a world-class modern zoological park in Elk Grove.

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$15 million of $50 million

Sacramento Zoological Society Fundraising Goal

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Zoo Site Plan (Buildout All Phases)

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Location

3 minutes from highway 99
6 minutes from Elk Grove Regional Park
20 minutes from Sacramento

The new Zoo will be located in the Livable Employment Area Community Plan. The Zoo itself will encompass the approximately 63-acres northern portion of a 103-acre parcel located at the northwest intersection of Kammerer Road and Lotz Parkway.  The balance of the property will be used for parking, roads, and other public infrastructure. . 

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Project History

Building a new zoo is an exciting journey that takes careful planning and time.

In 2022, a feasibility study showed us the potential, and the City Council gave the green light to start designing the project. From summer 2022 through fall 2023, the zoo’s design took shape, and we made sure it was environmentally responsible. By May 2024, the City Council officially approved the project, and in June 2024, we entered into a financing agreement with Zoological Society to bring the first phase of the new zoo to life. It’s a big step toward creating a fun, educational place for everyone to enjoy!

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What Animals Will Be at the Zoo?

Some animals will arrive in future phases of the Zoo.

  • Alligator
  • Ape
  • Beaver
  • Big horn sheep
  • Birds
  • Blood python
  • Bobcat
  • Capybara
  • Cheetah
  • Colobus
  • Dwarf mongoose
  • Eagles and fish
  • Elk
  • Flamingo
  • Gelada
  • Giraffe
  • Grizzly bear
  • Hippo
  • Hyena
  • Komodo
  • Lemur
  • Leopard
  • Lion
  • Meerkat
  • Okapi
  • Red panda
  • Reptiles
  • Rhino
  • River otter
  • Sheep
  • Squirrel monkey
  • Tortoise
  • Tiger
  • Wallaby
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Timeline

  • Planning and Approvals
    Spring 2024
  • Outside Zoo Perimeter: Design
    July 2024 through late 2025
  • Outside Perimeter: Construction
    Early 2026 through mid 2027
  • Zoo Facilities: Design
    July 2024 through late 2026
  • Zoo Facilities: Construction
    Early 2027 through early 2030

Total Estimated Impact for Elk Grove Over Five Years


$249 Million Total Economic Impact


395
Jobs Produced


$111 million in Labor Income

Learn more about the other anticipated economic benefits of this project. View the economic impact factsheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is happening with the City of Elk Grove and the Sacramento Zoo?

The City of Elk Grove and the Sacramento Zoological Society have agreed to the relocation of the Sacramento Zoo to Elk Grove, where the zoo would significantly expand to benefit the care of the animals and improve the guest experience. The new zoo would be approximately 65 acres and would be built in multiple phases over several years. The shared goal is to build a world-class zoo and cultural attraction for the entire region.

Where would the Zoo be located?

The project will be located on approximately 100 acres of property in south Elk Grove at the northwest intersection of Kammerer Road and Lotz Parkway.

What would the new Zoo look like?

The new zoo is designed around three key zones – Africa, California, and Australasia. Each zone will present a range of animals from those areas.  The design also includes services and amenities for visitors, including extensive parking, multiple restaurants, an events venue, and opportunities for unique animal encounters and potential overnight accommodations and “safari experiences.”

View a 3D model of the new zoo designed created by students of Franklin High School. Other design documents can also be found on the project documents page

When will the new Zoo open?

An opening date of the new Zoo has not been set and is dependent on several factors, including completing construction plans, construction time, and, most importantly, securing community partnership funding. Presuming that these partnerships can be realized, the soonest the City and Zoological Society expect to open the zoo is late 2029/early 2030.

How much would the new Zoo cost?

The cost for constructing Phase 1A/1B of the Zoo is broken down into two pieces:

  • Off-Site costs, which include public roadways, water and sewer infrastructure, and off-site stormwater detention and associated drainage infrastructure, and dry utilities, are estimated at $44 million. These are costs that would be necessary to develop the property with any use.  
  • On-Site costs are for the Zoo itself and includes the animal habitats and holding and care areas, guest facilities and amenities, office and storage spaces, parking facilities, and other costs including public art and development impact fees. These costs are estimated at $258 million, of which $226 million is for the zoo facilities.
Who will pay for constructing the new Zoo?

Funding of a new zoo is expected to be a partnership. The Financing Plan details the funding sources for development of the project, including on and off-site improvements, as follows: 

  • Development impact fees: $14.8 million
  • City source funds (“Pay-Go”, cash on hand from five sources): $93 million
  • Community Partnerships: $80 million
  • Bond Financing: $114.5 million

When specifically looking at the City’s share, exclusive of development impact fees, the City contributes 57% towards the overall costs.  This includes the City Pay-Go and 68% of the total Bond proceeds.  This percentage is lower (39%) when excluding funding identified in the Pay-Go and Bond Financing sections which originates from the City’s agreement with Wilton Rancheria for the Sky River Casino project.

The City and Society have entered into a Cost Sharing Agreement for Phase 1A/1B, which outlines the responsibilities of the parties and the overall budget for this phase.

Will taxes for Elk Grove residents and businesses be increased, or a new tax created, to pay for the Zoo?

No, taxes will not be increased to pay for either the construction or operation of the proposed New Zoo.  The Financing Plan identifies a range of existing impact fees, existing City funds, bonds, and regional partnership funding to finance the construction of the Zoo. Operations would be paid directly and solely by the Zoological Society from their revenues.  Additionally, Measure E is not a funding source for the Zoo.  

Is a subsidy from the City required to operate the Zoo?

No, the Zoo does not require a subsidy from the City to operate. The original 2022 Feasibility Study and the 2024 Business Plan identify that the Zoo is able to self-sustain their operations. The existing Sacramento Zoo in Land Park operates without a subsidy from the City of Sacramento and the City of Elk Grove anticipates a similar arrangement for the new zoo.

Why does the Zoo need to relocate?

The current zoo is 97 years old and requires extensive renovations to both the habitats and its other facilities to even meet current - let alone future - animal care standards.  At 14.7 acres, the zoo’s current footprint is landlocked and unable to provide the necessary space for many of its beloved residents, including giraffes, big cats, and apes. Over the past 30 years, the zoo has lost many of its iconic animal species due to space constraints, including tiger, hippopotamus, and bear. This decline will continue if the zoo stays where it is.  The lack of a visitor parking lot at the zoo’s current location also presents an insurmountable obstacle to both expanding access to the zoo and increasing attendance.

The  Sacramento Zoological Society’s Board of Trustees is responsible for the care and welfare of the zoo’s animals. Given the challenges that many species face in the wild, zoos have been called upon to take a significant leadership role in saving species from extinction.  The current zoo site undermines the Zoo’s ability to meet this important mission.  The Board of Trustees also has a fiduciary responsibility to ensure the long-term viability of the zoo and ensure that future generations can enjoy this valued regional amenity.

A new zoo will allow their wildlife care professionals to create expansive natural habitats, bolster conservation programs, and allow the zoo to better serve its educational mission by accommodating more than twice the number of guests per year.

How long has the City and Society been discussing this project?

Talks between the City and Society started in late June 2021. Those evolved to approval of the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement and public announcement on September 23, 2021. The feasibility study was prepared and reviewed by the City and Society in March 2022. Based upon the findings, the parties entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2022 to continue exploring the design and financing for a new zoo. From summer 2022 through late 2023, the City and Society worked together to conduct public outreach and develop a master design plan. Environmental review has also been completed and a Financing Plan prepared.

What about the City of Sacramento relocation study?

In May of 2019, the City of Sacramento pursued a feasibility study to examine three potential sites - North Natomas Regional Park, Sleep Train Arena, and Bing Maloney Golf Course.  It was communicated to the Sacramento Zoological Society that none of these sites are viable options for relocation. This effort follows other expansion and relocation studies prepared for the zoo in the years prior.

Why is Elk Grove the right place for the new zoo?

Elk Grove is well positioned to provide the physical space and financial support needed to build a new, modern zoological park. Building the zoo in Elk Grove will enable the zoo to remain in, and serve, the Sacramento Region while having the space needed to triple in size and double in visitation. The Society and the City have a shared vision for what the new zoo can be and the impact it can have on the region and the community. They also share values supporting science education, habitat and wildlife conservation, and providing the public parks and recreation spaces. The new zoo will be an important economic development driver and cultural destination and attraction for Elk Grove. The zoo could provide one million annual visitors and as many as 250 jobs and be an anchor in the continued development of the south part of the City.

How can I weigh in?

The City and Zoological Society are committed to public transparency and plan to provide the public regular updates throughout the process. There will be multiple opportunities for residents, donors, members, and visitors to comment about the project, and more details of those opportunities will be forthcoming as the project progresses. If you have questions or comments in the meantime, e-mail the City at zoo@elkgrovecity.org.

How will relocation affect Zoo attendance and operations?

The Sacramento Zoo is already a regional destination attracting half a million guests from Northern California and Western Nevada.  Wherever the zoo is located, it will create memorable wildlife, educational, and family-friendly experiences for our community.

Zoo Design

The City and Sacramento Zoological Society have hired a design firm (SHR Studios) that specializes in zoological parks to design the New Zoo.  While portions of the design were informed by the design team’s expertise and the operations parameters for the facility as described in the Feasibility Study, there are a variety of components that were informed by public feedback. In summer 2022 the City, the Society, and SHR held several public engagement events and activities, culminating in a Town Hall event in August 2022.  Input from these events was incorporated into the Conceptual Plan, which was presented in November 2022.

Following the Conceptual Design work, the team moved into Schematic Design, which is a higher level of design detail.  On October 25, 2023, City staff presented an update on the design work to the City Council. A Community Open House Event was held on November 4, 2023, where the latest design plans were on display. 

Additional details, as presented to the Planning Commission and City Council for approval of the New Zoo are also available. View more materials

Zoo News

City of Elk Grove and Sacramento Zoological Society Confident in Zoo’s Future Amid Leadership Change

The City of Elk Grove and the Sacramento Zoological Society are dedicated to continuing the exciting plans for our new zoo, despite the recent announcement that Jason Jacobs, Executive Director and CEO of the Society, will be stepping down to pursue an out-of-state opportunity.
 
While we are sad to see such a valued leader depart, we are confident in the strength of our partnership with the Sacramento Zoological Society. Their proven expertise and commitment, together with the support of the city and our community, ensures that the project will stay on track and continue to meet our high standards of excellence.
 
The Society’s transition team includes Kevin Bell, a renowned leader in the zoological community with significant fundraising experience, as well as Robert Churchill, who has served as the Zoo’s Chief Operations and Finance Officer for over a decade. We have full confidence in the Society’s leadership and staff to guide us forward during this transition.
 
The new zoo is a central part of Elk Grove's vision for the future, enhancing both the cultural and environmental assets of our community. We are fortunate to have a highly capable team in the Sacramento Zoological Society.
 
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jason Jacobs for his remarkable leadership and contributions, and we wish him every success in his future endeavors. The City of Elk Grove and the Sacramento Zoological Society remain united in our commitment to bringing a world-class zoo to life, one that will inspire and delight both our residents and visitors for years to come.

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Project Contact

Samuel Grimm, PE

Senior Civil Engineer, City of Elk Grove
zoo@elkgrovecity.org

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Media Contact

Kristyn Laurence

Public Affairs and Communications Manager, City of Elk Grove
(916) 478-2206
klaurence@elkgrovecity.org