Originally known as the Central Park Menagerie, the Central Park Zoo began to form in the late 1850’s when various citizens and circuses started to donate animals to the city. The zoo underwent two transformations. The first was in 1934 under the supervision of Robert Moses, the second in 1988 (the Wildlife Conservation Society). The zoo has changed drastically since its opening in terms of the animals exhibited, as well as the condition of the animals and zoo.

"In its early form, the Menagerie at Central Park submitted animals to questionable treatment, as evidenced by this 1911 photo of a trainer and a dog perched on top of an elephant. Source: 1911 Department of Parks Annual Report."

With the help of Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, the city was able to address the less than satisfactory condition of the zoo animals. Robert Moses had taken a particular interest in improving the zoo due to his friendship with former Governor Al Smith. Smith loved animals and “missed the little zoo he had maintained behind the Executive Mansion in Albany” (Caro). He was appalled by the unsanitary conditions in which the animals lived and so Moses promised to improve them. A design team headed by Aymar Embury II drew out plans for the six-acre zoo in sixteen days, and the construction was completed within eight months. The project was accomplished with the help of Works Progress Administration labor.

Moses made it clear that he did not want the zoo to be an “animal museum.” Instead, he wanted a child friendly zoo, a “picture-book zoo,” as it were. When it reopened on December 2, 1934, twelve thousand invited guests filled the stands while an additional twenty-five thousand lined Fifth Avenue, hoping to be admitted. Alfred Smith was designated honorary zookeeper that day, and was given a key to the zoo. He often took advantage of it, even referring to himself as the zoo’s “night superintendent.”

"A large crowd gathered for the opening of the reopening of the Menagerie at Central Park, December 2, 1934. Photo by Alajos Schuszler; courtesy of the Parks Photo Archive, Neg. 4602."

Unfortunately, over time “no amount of love and attention could save the zoo from falling into disrepair, and the zoo became what many found to be a squalid place” (Parks & Recreation). Tenants along Fifth Avenue complained about the noise and smells and many cages were unfilled in the zoo. The zoo was even referred to as a “Rikers Island for animals” by Parks Commissioner Gordon Davis. In 1980, the management was assumed by the New York Zoological Society (now the Wildlife Conservation) which transformed the zoo between 1983 and 1988 (a $35 million project). There was talk of converting the space into an insect zoo, or even a farm for children to interact with domestic animals. However, neither plan was put into effect. Eventually, many large animals were removed from the zoo due to the fact that it was only six acres (miniscule compared to the national average of fifty-two). Individuals felt that it was inhumane to keep such large animals under the circumstances. The remainder of the large animals were given more space. The zoo could no longer boast of zebras, bears, elephants, and the like. Fortunately, the polar bear and sea lion exhibits endured.

"The invitation to the Central Park Zoo reopening on August 8, 1988."

The most drastic change during this renovation was the removal of cages, an effort to make the zoo “barless.” In this way, the Society was able to organize the animals by biomes, separating them into tropical, temperate, and polar. The polar bear and sea lion exhibits were expanded during this transformation, and a Japanese snow monkey island was created. Many buildings that remained changed their function; for example, the Bird House was converted into the Zoo Gallery and Gift Shop, and the Monkey House became the Zoo School and event space. Additionally, for the first time in the city’s history the zoo began to charge an admission ($1 for adults and $0.25 for children). Today those numbers are $12 and $7, respectively.

http://youtu.be/uiZgN4jude8

The sea lion pool was constructed at the center of the zoo during the 1934 construction, expanded in the 80’s, and continues to exist to this day. Today, it is one of the main attractions at the zoo, with sea lion feedings three times a day. Crowds gather around, men hoisting their young daughters and sons on their shoulders, older children circulating the pool hoping to get a better look at the animals. Another installment that remains are the eight eagles surrounding the pool (which were added in 1941). These eagles appear to have belonged to the façade of the original Penn Station but in actually were taken from the overpass in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

"Mayor Ed Koch feeds a sea lion at the reopening of the Central Park Zoo, August 8, 1988. Photo, courtesy of the Parks Photo archive, by Simon Benepe."

Sea Lion Pool, 2012

Most recently, the zoo introduced a new Snow Leopard exhibit. It is the first new exhibit to be added to the zoo since 1988. A $10.6 million installation, the exhibit houses three Snow Leopards. Try locating one, however. I have visited the zoo several times, and have been unlucky enough not to be able to catch a glimpse to date.

The zoo no longer boasts of a multitude of large animals as it did from its creation to the 1980’s. However, it remains a child friendly zoo, staying true to Robert Moses’ vision. It is a great place to spend any day, observing and learning more about the hundreds of species housed there. With the Central Park Zoo conveniently located right in the heart of our city, it would be a shame for any New Yorker to miss out on visiting.

1 Caro, Robert. “The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York.” New York: Vintage Books, 1975. 323-401.

2 “Central Park Zoo.” Central Park Zoo. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. <http://www.centralparkzoo.com/>.

3 “Central Park Zoos.” : New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. <http://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/zoos/central-park-zoo>.

4 Chan, Sewell. “In Central Park, Happy Birthday to Zoo.” City Room. The New York Times, 4 Aug. 2008. Web. 10 Mar. 2012.<http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/04/in-central-park-happy-birthday-to-zoo/>.

5 Rosenweig, Roy, and Elizabeth Blackmar. “CentralParkHistory.com.”CentralParkHistory.com. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. <http://www.centralparkhistory.com/timeline/timeline_1870_zoo.html>.

6 Rothstein, Edward. “Leopards in the Mist.” The New York Times, 12 June 2009. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. < http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/13/nyregion/13snow.html>.

7 Scheier, Joan. “The Central Park Zoo (Images of America: New York).” The Central Park Zoo (Images of America: New York). Arcadia Publishing, 21 Aug. 2002. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. <http://www.cpzbook.com/>.