Committee adopts 20-year Hillcrest Park Zoo master plan

The Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee unanimously approved a 20-year master plan for Hillcrest Park Zoo after a detailed staff presentation and consultant work described in the packet.

Parks staff and zoo leadership said the master plan was developed with consultant partners and community engagement and lays out phased priorities, including a maintenance barn in year one, habitat and infrastructure upgrades, and later investments in an African savanna and big-cat complexes. "Hillcrest Park Zoo is valued by the community so intensely, but there is a couple of problems when it came to the the survey that we did," Stephanie said, summarizing survey findings that many residents had not visited the facility recently and that improvements could boost regional tourism.

Staff framed the plan as both a roadmap for capital requests and a tool to pursue external funding; Russell Hooper said some funding already exists through grants and county support but larger phases will rely on CIP and additional grant sources. Commissioners pressed staff on near-term maintenance priorities, irrigation and how the plan would be phased to avoid undoing prior investments. Commissioner Jones moved for approval and Commissioner Porter seconded; the motion passed.

Staff said the plan is intended to support revenue opportunities (ticketing, retail, paid experiences), strengthen animal-care facilities and set the zoo on a path to seek ZAA accreditation in coming years.