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Rosamond Gifford Zoo Plans Ahead While Marking 100 Years

Scott Willis
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WAER News

Syracuse's Rosamond Gifford Zoo is mapping out its future while celebrating its 100th anniversary.  Officials Tuesday unveiled a 20-year strategic master plan that includes a combination of short and long term projects and a business plan.  

 County Executive Joanie Mahoney says the zoo has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a four acre plot with a few animals to 43 acres with more than 700. 

National zoo planning firm Zoo Advisors LLC and and architecture firm  GLMVZoos worked for more than a year on the strategic plan with zoo leadership, community leaders, and other stakeholders. 

ZOOAT100-TED.mp3
Zoo Director Ted Fox says the 100th anniversary is the perfect time to look ahead.

  The zoo has enjoyed nearly three decades of growth after years of struggles that began in the 1960’s and continued well into the 1980’s.  

Credit Scott Willis / WAER News
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WAER News
A map showing the zoo's existing footprint and features, as well as possible planned improvements and additions.

  The county took over operations from the city in 1979, and closed the zoo in 1982 for nearly four years to make major renovations.  Officials hope the new strategic plan will continue to keep the zoo on solid footing, improve the experience, and make it a regional destination.  

Centennial celebrations will kick into high gear this summer.

Scott Willis covers politics, local government, transportation, and arts and culture for WAER. He came to Syracuse from Detroit in 2001, where he began his career in radio as an intern and freelance reporter. Scott is honored and privileged to bring the day’s news and in-depth feature reporting to WAER’s dedicated and generous listeners. You can find him on twitter @swillisWAER and email him at srwillis@syr.edu.