2004 Comprehensive Parks & Recreation System Plan Update. 9. Zoo Boise

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1 Background In September 2002, Zoo Boise was accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). Accreditation was achieved after six years of steady improvements and renovations in both the physical structures and operational procedures of the zoo. Over the last seven years, in close partnership with Friends of Zoo Boise, the zoo has completed 24 projects, totaling more than $3.2 million. Notable accomplishments include the Small Animal Kingdom, the Amur tiger exhibit, a new veterinary hospital, and in 2003, the penguin pavilion. The many changes at Zoo Boise have not gone unnoticed by the community. Last year, Zoo Boise welcomed 212,000 visitors. Over the last five years, attendance has averaged 205,000, making Zoo Boise one of the Treasure Valley s largest attractions. Currently, only the Western Idaho Fair and Bogus Basin ski area attract more visitors. In comparison, Zoo Boise receives as many visitors in April, May, and June as the Boise Art Museum does all year and more visitors than Boise State University football, Boise Hawks baseball, Idaho Steelheads hockey, the Idaho Women s Fitness Celebration, and the Discovery Center. While Zoo Boise is only one of 83 parks in the city of Boise s parks and recreation system, it is the single most complicated and expensive recreation facility. Several operating constraints make it unique. First, Zoo Boise operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. The animals need to be cared for, regardless of weather, time, or date. Zoo Boise must be staffed every day, increasing operating costs. Second, because Zoo Boise charges admission, Idaho s recreational immunity laws do not apply. The presence of live, potentially dangerous animals, combined with hundreds of thousands of visitors, creates a high level of risk. Third, Zoo Boise must comply with Animal Welfare Act mandates and is inspected by U.S. Department of Agriculture staff annually. The 2000 through 2002 budgets are outlined in Table 9-1. Table 9-1 Budget overview for Zoo Boise Activity Revenues ($) Admissions 334, , ,361 Zoo rentals 14,532 18,296 11,758 Donations for operations ,000 Donations for capital improvements 170, ,477 62,029 Tax support 344, , ,313 Total 863, ,469 1,096,461 Expenses ($) Personnel 415, , ,755 Operation and maintenance 263, , ,783 Equipment ,136 Capital improvements 1,274, , ,263 Total 1,953,212 1,072,911 1,123,937 1

2 The personnel budget item for fiscal year 2002 was $607,755, compared with $456,980 for 2001, mainly because new full-time positions were needed to improve animal care and advance the City s application for AZA accreditation. The increased personnel costs include $55,000 for the addition of a full-time vet, $37,000 for the addition of a zookeeper, and $36,000 for the new zoo superintendent s salary and benefits. The amount added for the superintendent s position was offset by Friends of Zoo Boise, which is shown on in Table 9-1 as donations for operations. Like any attraction, Zoo Boise faces the challenge of providing a positive, exciting, and fresh experience to visitors. According to results of the 2003 recreation survey of Boise households (see the appendices), one of the primary reasons why people do not visit the zoo is lack of new animals and exhibits. The survey asked citizens what would encourage them to go to the zoo more often. The two most popular answers were the additions of more permanent exhibits and more seasonal exhibits, respectively. A master plan for Zoo Boise was adopted in 2001 to address how the zoo should expand over the next ten years. The plan calls for three zoogeographical areas and three specialty areas containing a wide variety of animals that people would normally expect to see in a zoo. Some exciting additions include giraffes, rhinoceroses, and lions. It purposely excludes some animals because of the constraints caused by space, weather, and budget, constraints under which the zoo must operate. Zoo Boise occupies 11.5 acres in Julia Davis Park. Approximately 8 acres are developed for animal exhibits, educational space, and support facilities. The lagoon that runs through the middle of the zoo makes another 1.5 acres unusable, leaving 2 undeveloped acres within the existing perimeter fence. Based on the adopted Julia Davis master plan and zoo master plan, Zoo Boise will receive an additional 5 acres in Julia Davis Park for planned expansions, increasing the total area of the zoo to 16.5 acres. The current level of service provided by the zoo to City residents is calculated in Table 9-2, while projected zoo needs are shown in Table 9-3. Table 9-2 Current level of service provided by Zoo Boise Recreation Facility Type 2002 Inventory a 2002 City Population Current Standard for Space per City Resident (sq. ft/1,000 residents) Developed zoo space 348, ,975 1,742.6 a Estimate based on the following: 8 acres x 43,560 square feet = 348,480 square feet Table 9-3 Estimated zoo facility needs for Boise and its area of impact Recreation Facility Type 2002 City Inventory 2010 Needs 2020 Needs 2025 Needs Developed zoo space 348, , , ,139 Incremental space need 100,111 57,929 22,619 Note: Maximum zoo space available in Julia Davis Park is 653,400 acres, or 304,920 square feet of potentially new space for zoo facilities. The zoo has made some progress in completing the zoo s master plan. The Small Animal Kingdom opened in 2001, and several exhibits in the Asia section have been completed or renovated. The majority of work needed to complete the master plan is concentrated in sections that will house animals from the Americas and Africa. These two sections will occupy the 2

3 remaining acreage within the current fence line and the additional acreage from Julia Davis Park. The estimated costs for completing the zoo master plan is $13 million in capital costs, or approximately $42.63 per square foot of expansion area, and $12 million for an endowment. Completing the master plan will require a combination of private and public funding sources. According to the 2003 survey of households, citizens support this expansion, even more than they support many other projects and activities traditionally conducted by Boise Parks & Recreation. As part of the household survey, citizens were asked to name the five most important park improvements that should take place. The second highest response was expand the zoo. In fact, the highest response was upgrade existing facilities, which would include the zoo as well. Expanding the zoo elicited a higher response than acquire more park land, build more parks, acquire more open space, or build indoor recreational facilities. Funding to complete Zoo Boise s master plan will need to come from a number of sources: Private fundraising. Friends of Zoo Boise is successful in raising money from private sources, but an amount this large will be impossible from private sources alone. Public financing tools. Private dollars should be matched with some type of public financing tool, such as a bond or special levy. Park impact fees. Zoo Boise should be considered for inclusion in the park impact fee program under the special-use park designation. Creating a high-quality zoo should continue to be a high priority for the City and the entire community. Because only a handful of zoos, such as Disney s Animal Kingdom and Sea World, can operate completely on gate admissions, it is impossible to fund Zoo Boise through gate admissions alone. Funding will take a continued commitment of general fund revenues and additional sources of both private and public funds. A high-quality zoo is an important asset for a community. Communities such as San Diego, California, and Columbus, Ohio, are renowned for their zoos. In addition, a zoo can be an important ingredient in a city s quality of life recipe. As with recent projects such as the Idaho Shakespeare Festival and Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, the completion of Zoo Boise s master plan will improve Boise s quality of life. A high-quality zoo will attract new residents and businesses, provide an economic stimulus to Boise s downtown, and offer outstanding educational and recreational opportunities for its citizens. Policy Questions 1. Should the City adopt a standard for Zoo Boise space or exhibits? 2. Should the City continue to expand and develop the zoo and related facilities? 3. What mission(s) should the zoo pursue in future? 4 How should the City seek to fund future zoo expansions and operations? 3

4 Discussion Zoo Boise is a valuable recreational and educational asset to the community. The zoo contributes to the overall quality of life in Boise and helps to attract and retain visitors, businesses, and families. The zoo s popularity continues to increase. Like any attraction, regular exhibit changes and expansions are necessary for the Zoo to maintain overall quality and meet community expectations. In the past, the zoo has been expanded through substantial donations and tax funds. The ability to fund future expansions and obtain new animal exhibits is likely to be limited if alternative funding mechanisms are not developed. The City should explore using park impact fees to help fund capital projects that provide for future zoo expansion in pace with growth. The effort should involve the development community to seek agreement and address any concerns they may have. Zoo Boise should also continue efforts to secure grants and donations from and develop partnerships with a variety of public and private sources to help offset operating and capital costs. An important factor for maintaining the overall quality of the zoo and its appeal to residents and visitors will be the City s ability to maintain its recently secured AZA accreditation. AZA accreditation allows the zoo to secure unique and highly valued, popular animal exhibits, which are important for maintaining public interest. The AZA also provides access to staff training opportunities regarding zoo services and animal care. The zoo must continue efforts to meet its ongoing commitment to excellence in animal care, attention to staffing needs, regular zoo improvements, and participation in species conservation programs. These efforts are necessary to maintain AZA accreditation and the zoo s quality and appeal to the public. Recommendations 1. Implement the adopted master plan to expand zoo services. a. Provide for improved veterinary care facilities. b. Pursue a variety of funding alternatives to support zoo operations. c. Expand the zoo to keep pace with growth and demand for exhibits and educational programs. 2. Maintain AZA accreditation. a. Continue to maintain and improve zoo grounds, exhibits, and animal care. b. Participate in appropriate species conservation programs. c. Maintain staffing needs, including training, safety, education, and networking. d. Continue programs aimed at educating the community. 3. Identify Zoo Boise as a special-use park facility and pursue eligibility to use park impact fees for future zoo expansions. a. Include specific new zoo exhibits and costs in the long-range capital improvement plan. 4

5 b. Seek support from the development community for adding the zoo to the park impact fee program. Sources Mentioned Master plans for Julia Davis Park and Zoo Boise 5