Must Have A Plan
In 2000, Friends of the Zoo initiated a capital campaign to complete the new Master Plan for the Chattanooga Zoo. The plan has a cost of approximately $9.3 million. Friends of the Zoo has raised over $5.5 million and the campaign continues to flourish.
The growth of the Chattanooga Zoo is an excellent example of the successful partnering of public and private funding. The business background of the FOZ Board of Directors has prompted the development of a strong business plan to provide resources for the continued growth of operations to support the capital improvements.
Since 1998, the zoo has completed the following exhibits:
o Spider Monkey Exhibit
o Gombe Forest Chimpanzee Exhibit
o Misunderstood Marvels
o African Aviary
o Warner Park Ranch
o Himalayan Passage; the Gateway to the zoo’s Asian Zone
These additions represent over $3.5 million dollars invested in the last five years, and the future holds even more excitement. The Zoo plans to build a new Education Center that houses a two story artificial tree, Grandma’s Attic, and the Animal Olympics.
A new Front Entrance from Holtzclaw Avenue is currently in the works, which will include a new entrance plaza, gift shop, endangered species carousel, concessions stand, and bathrooms. More parking and a bus turn around are also planned. You can help us reach our capital campaign goal for the new front entrance by purchasing an engraved recognition tile with a contribution of just $70. Your tile will be placed in the new entry plaza that will lead visitors into the Zoo. Tiles can be engraved with your family name, the names of your children, or in memory of a loved one. Visitors to the Zoo will see your name and know that you support the Zoo and believe in its mission. To purchase either a jaguar, red panda, or tortoise tile, please call 423-697-1339.
If you’re looking for a truly BIG way to help the Zoo, consider sponsoring the Endangered Species Carousel (part of the new front entrance) by purchasing one of the hand-carved animals for only $7,500. These amazing pieces of art are created by Horsin’ Around, the same carving school that created the infamous Coolidge Park Carousel! Sponsorships include recognition at the carousel unveiling, name plaque on the sponsored carousel animal, and recognition in the ChattaZooga magazine and press releases. Just call (423) 697-1339 for more information and to find out what animals are still available for sponsorship!
