Franklin Park Zoo
The Franklin Park Zoo was founded in 1913. The current Zoo covers 72 acres of parkland. Highlights of Franklin Park Zoo’s collection include African lions, Masai giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, and western lowland gorillas. There are also unusual birds and smaller mammals. For more information, go to the zoo's website.
photo: One of a pair of statues at the rear "Giraffe" entrance to the Zoo.
When the Zoo first opened animal exhibits were scattered inthe northeastern end of the park, in and around today's Zoo boundaries. A Sunday outing in the park almost always meant a trip to see the animals. Peak visitation occurred in 1920 with 20 million visitors!
In the mid-late 1900s when the Zoo declined, neighborhood residents fought the Zoo's closing, "the removal of the zoo would be an act of contempt to black Roxbury," argued Tim Anderson, a community activist. Surveys showed that the Zoo animals were what neighborhood residents liked best about Franklin Park.
Today the Franklin Park Zoo is a popular neighborhood, tourist and greater Boston destination. The Zoo works closely with the Franklin Park Coalition to improve and preserve the park, increase accessibility by public transit, and improve signage to help people find the park. The Zoo Teen program and other community activities serve hundreds of nearby residents. It is a thriving destination that enhances the economic and cultural quality of life for the neighborhoods surrounding the park.