Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

[Metro Jacksonville]

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens



In January 1916 the city zoo in Springfield Park consisted of two deer, two wildcats, two coyotes, one black bear, five monkeys, five silver foxes, a whole lot of rabbits and some Guinea hens, cranes and squirrels.

Since then, the Jacksonville Zoo has come a long way.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-jun-jacksonville-zoo-and-gardens

[Keith-N-Jax]

You know I just went to the Zoo a few weeks ago. It really has come along way. They have a new sting ray habitat also, not sure how new it is, but it wasnt there when I was there last. The Zoo's landscaping is top of the line. Trout River Plaza is very nice and new Asian area. I am proud of the Jacksonville Zoo. Certainly a positive for the city.

[Hurricane]

Out of sight, out of mind.  I keep forgetting about the JAX Zoo.  Definitely planning a visit now, thanks for the reminder...

[heights unknown]

Wow...I wanna go!  I was with my Grandmother in Jasper, Florida and in second grade when we made a trip to the Jacksonville zoo; this was a loooooong time ago and I won't tell what year; but I barely even remember what the zoo was like but I remember us going.

Heights Unknown

[copperfiend]

Every out of towner I have brought to the zoo in the last few years absolutely loves it.

[thelakelander]

Great article!  Jacksonville has a top rate zoo.

[Cliffs_Daughter]

I took my son there on Monday for his birthday - it was GREAT! He was a little upset that they didn't show zebras this week, but overall it was a very lovely place. Exhibits looked in beautiful shape, landscaping was very nice, and we even got to feed the giraffe!

[Jason]

Fantastic tour and history MJ!!!  Very well done!!

I've been 3 or 4 times in the past year or two and still want to go back for more.  The changes that the Zoo has gone through in the last 10 years is astonishing.  The Oriental Gardens, kids play park, and the Trout River Plaza are all fantastic.  And I've said this before, the Range of the Jaguar exhibit is second to none.  Anyone who hasn't been to the zoo in the last 3 years is missing a lot.

The only things I see becomming a potential thorn for the zoo is the aging wooden boardwalk system and the lack of substantial expansion room.  Within the next fews years the boardwalk will likely need an overhaul and without a whole lot of room to grow, the zoo may face some limitation on the types of exhibits it can include. 

[adamh0903]

My wife and I took our daughter to the zoo a month or so ago. It was the first time we had been in probably 20 years. I was blown away. Its first class all the way around. If you havent been in a while. Go!

[copperfiend]

I would like to see them do something with the gorilla exhibit. It is depressing.

[Deuce]

Love the zoo. It's one of the things this city has gotten right. The new Asian gardens and Komodo dragon exhibit are spectacular. We're scoping the zoo as a possible place to get married. I hope they'll figure out a solution to expansion as I would love to see this zoo continue to grow and add more exhibits.

[Keith-N-Jax]

I would like to see them do something with the gorilla exhibit. It is depressing.

Something like what,, any ideas, just curious?

[copperfiend]

Get more gorillas.

[blizz01]

I've plugged this before in other threads - If you arrive by boat, admission is free.

[copperfiend]

Also, for anybody that does go. Go out the dock in the back. When I was there last summer there were manatees in the river.