Title
Update Regarding Proposed Sacramento Zoo Expansion
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FileID
File ID: 2026-01437
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Location
Location: District 7
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Recommendation
Recommendation: Receive and file.
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Contact
Contact: Dustin Hollingsworth, Assistant Director, (916) 808-5538, DJHoillingsworth@cityofsacramento.org, Department of Convention and Cultural Services; Jason Wiesemann, Park Planning, Design and Development Manager, (916) 808-7634, JWiesemann@cityofsacramento.org, Youth Parks and Community Enrichment
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Presenter
Presenter: Dustin Hollingsworth, Assistant Director, (916) 808-5538, DJHoillingsworth@cityofsacramento.org, Department of Convention and Cultural Services
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Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Presentation
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Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: The Sacramento Zoological Society (“Society”) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation and has operated the Sacramento Zoo through City Agreement No. 97-021 since 1997. The Zoo serves approximately 500,000 visitors annually. The Zoo's collection consists of more than 400 animals, diverse botanical life, and several specialized gardens.
In April 2024, the Society and the City of Elk Grove agreed to finance and construct a new zoo within the City of Elk Grove. In April 2025, the Society announced that it would no longer pursue a zoo in Elk Grove but would remain at its Land Park location.
In June 2025, the City and Society executed the Twelfth Amendment to extend the term of the Agreement for three years through June 30, 2028, while the Society and City work together to analyze the operational conditions for continued and future operation of the Zoo in Land Park, including issues regarding space constraints. In addition, the City and Society agreed to engage in good faith negotiations with each other concerning the creation of a new partnership agreement for operation of the Zoo.
On April 28, 2026, City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding Between City of Sacramento and Sacramento Zoological Society (Contract No. 2026-0397). The proposed MOU memorializes the agreed upon terms between the City and Society to explore potential expansion of the Zoo by approximately 5.8 acres, comprised of two adjacent parcels within Land Park. The proposed expansion area includes the 4.4 acre City parcel across Land Park Drive from the Zoo known as the “Pony Ride” area, and the 1.4 acre City parcel adjacent to the northern property line of the Zoo. The MOU expires on September 1, 2026.
It is anticipated that expanding the current footprint of the Zoo would serve the community by allowing the Society to make improvements that would positively impact the animals and visitors, and enhance the ability of the Society to pursue its mission of inspiring a connection with nature and wildlife through education, recreation, and conservation. The space constraints of the current Zoo location make it exceedingly difficult for the City and Society to adequately plan for future accreditation and economic viability. This MOU reflects the City’s and Society’s current commitment to explore the Zoo’s expansion but does not bind the City to any approval, action or funding at this time, nor does it amend the existing operating agreement. Any future action by the City shall be subject to City Council discretion and all applicable legal requirements.
Specific activities intended to be undertaken within the scope of the MOU included:
• Evaluation of implications for the current Parks Master Plan
• Development of a phasing plan for an expansion area and identify interim opportunities for improvements at the Zoo
• Development of a community engagement strategy to provide opportunities for the public to learn about the proposed expansion and provide feedback, including three working group meetings prior to the expiration of the MOU.
• Explore needed amendments to the Zoo’s operating agreement including:
o Design opportunities for the expansion area as a “contiguous campus” consistent with accreditation requirements and operational needs
o Society’s identification of funding sources for development/improvement
o Impacts to historical features, mature trees, utilities, traffic and parking, and need and timing of environmental documents such as CEQA review.
Activities within the scope of the MOU that have been completed thus far include:
• Determination that the proposed expansion does not trigger amendments to the Parks Plan 2040.
• Determination that CEQA review of any proposed expansion will be completed through an Environmental Impact Report process (EIR), and no projects may be undertaken until CEQA review is complete.
• The Society has modified the proposed expansion area to exclude the Swanston Statue and adjacent gazebos and garden.
• The City and Zoological Society convened a working group that included representatives from the Land Park Community Association, the Upper Land Park Neighbors Association, the South Land Park Neighborhood Association, the Land Park Volunteer Corps and Preservation Sacramento, for the purpose of providing input and suggestions regarding the proposed Zoo expansion. Working group meetings were held on May 28, 2026, June 15, 2026, and July 16, 2026, at the Zoo.
• Zoological Society held two community input sessions, hosted and informational webinar, and had informational tables set up at the Zoo during two of their Community Days, with reduced admission costs to the Zoo. In addition, the Zoo had information available and provided a link for feedback on their website.
Staff intends to bring an amendment to the Zoo Agreement 97-021 to City Council in September 2026 that would memorialize the necessary and appropriate actions in connection with the Zoo expansion based on the results derived from activities related to the MOU.
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PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations: Not applicable.
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EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: None.
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EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations: Not applicable.
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Sustainability
Sustainability: Not applicable.
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Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
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RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: Not applicable.
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FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
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LocalBusinessEnterprise
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
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