Santa Ana opens River’s Edge at the zoo; city, donors and state fund $8.6 million project

Todd Lights, introduced as the voice of Dodger Stadium, opened Saturday's ceremony at the Santa Ana Zoo to mark the grand opening of River's Edge, the park's new habitat designed around river-corridor ecosystems.

Mayor Valerie Amezcua said the exhibit reimagines the former Amazon's Edge and paid tribute to local donors and zoo staff. "The total cost of the project was $8,600,000," she said, adding that "$600,000 [was] graciously donated by the Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo." She called the new space "an immersion into the dynamic ecosystems that form along river corridors around the world."

The project is part of a string of recent investments at the 73-year-old site. Council member David Penalosa announced that construction has begun on an education building the city is calling "the hive," and thanked state senator Tom Lundberg "for helping us secure $2,000,000 in state funding" to move that project forward. "So thank you so so much," Penalosa said.

Council member Jesse Lopez said the zoo regained accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for the first time since 2017, crediting years of staff work for the milestone. "We have planted trees here. We've invested in other exhibits," Lopez said, urging visitors to explore the zoo beyond the new habitat.

Other council members and city officials framed the opening as both a community celebration and a conservation step. Mayor Pro Tem Benjamin Vasquez described modern zoos' conservation role and said several primates in River's Edge were rescued through the Southern California Wildlife Confiscation Network. Council member Tai Viet Phan highlighted accessibility improvements, including new paved paths and interpretive signage that city staff have installed across the site.

Speakers also outlined future additions and neighborhood improvements tied to the zoo: plans to acquire two bald eagles for a reimagined eagle habitat, an imminent Chinese alligator exhibit, a new wall along 1st Street to reduce noise and improve safety near the zoo, and ongoing upgrades at the children's zoo. City officials noted the zoo attracts about 270,000 visitors annually and houses roughly 260 animals representing nearly 100 species.

The ceremony concluded with a ceremonial "vine" cutting by the mayor and council members. Organizers asked attendees to visit and support the zoo; the mayor invited families back to enjoy the new habitats and programming.

The announcements on-site included financial figures and project status updates reported by elected officials and event speakers; no formal city legislative action or public vote took place during the event.