|
Woodland Park Zoo Browse by Categories | Did You Know Facts | Jokes | Puzzles | Recipes | Special Focus | Tributes
Home > Washington State Home Page > Washington Attractions > Seattle Attractions |
About Us | ||||
|
Alabama Alaska Arizona California Colorado Connecticut DC Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts Minnesota Montana Nevada New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Washington West Virginia Wyoming |
Location of Woodland Park Zoo Woodland Park Zoo Those of us who recall the zoo as it was in decades past have precious memories of those visits, of time spent strolling and picnicking with our families. Some of those family members may be gone or grown while the zoo itself has changed profoundly. There are only a few places left along the zoo’s pathways where views remain unchanged from long ago. The zoo has changed in many important ways besides appearance. It has grown into a center for environmental education. Standards for animal care have risen dramatically. High-tech biological techniques are used to study wildlife and combat extinction all over the world. Zoo professionals now come here from other cities and countries to see how a zoo should be managed. In 1887, a wealthy lumber mill owner and real estate developer named Guy C. Phinney paid $10,000 for 342 acres of land along what we now call Phinney Ridge and down the slope to Green Lake. He kept 180 acres for himself and spent $40,000 constructing an elegant English-style estate, complete with formal gardens. He named it "Woodland Park." There was a conservatory, promenade, hunting lodge, the "Woodlands Hotel," and even a menagerie. The animal collection featured North American animals like black bear and deer, but there were African ostriches as well. The upper portion, where the zoo is today, was almost completely cleared of trees. A winding road led down to the lake's edge through the more forested portion of the estate. Phinney generously opened his estate to the public as long as they obeyed his conspicuously posted rules. He permitted no foul language, firearms or dogs (which would be "shot on sight," stated the rules). Living things, plants and animals alike, were protected from abuse of any kind. Today, Woodland Park Zoo is a leading zoo in the United States. Animals are in natural habitats, not the old small cages, to be viewed behind wire. Your visit will not only thrill but enlighten you about the animals and their preservation and the preservation of their habitats. This is an experience to be enjoyed by all generations of the family. Pictures of Woodland Park Zoo |
| ||||
Home |
About Us |
Contact Us |
Shopping Cart |
Site Map |
Sponsors |
Suggest a Site |
Terms of Use
A View of America has just opened a new company called West Coast Posters.
Washington State Home Page |
Washington Attractions |
Washington Beaches |
Washington Camping |
Washington Cities |
Washington Fishing Content and images on A View of America are protected by law. Any use without written permission is strictly prohibited. Copyright 1998 - 2008 | ||||||
