RossParkZoo.com
Title
Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park Home Page
Description
About the Zoo
Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park sits tucked into the northern face of Binghamton's South Mountain. The zoo officially opened in 1875, and it is the fifth oldest zoological institution in the country behind such communities as Philadelphia, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Buffalo.
The 90 acre plot was donated to the city of Binghamton by a wealthy businessman, Erastus Ross, who stipulated that the land was to be used as a park for all of the community to enjoy. The first electric-run trolleys in Binghamton were in 1887, and a line running up Park Avenue by way of the old Washington Street Bridge created easy access to the park. A roller coaster, swings, and a variety of other amusements helped Ross Park to flourish into a busy and popular recreational area. The stone pillars were erected in 1896 and welcomed visitors as they arrived by carriage or trolley. In 1919 Ross Park saw the arrival of a bear exhibit, and the park's carousel.
The increased use of the automobile allowed people to travel out of the Binghamton area for recreation, decreasing the number of visitors to the park. The loss of this support caused the zoo to slowly deteriorate. The two World Wars and the Great Depression helped to continue the decline of Ross Park Zoo until the USDA (Dept. of Agriculture) threatened the zoo with closure due to substandard facilities and care.
Languages
English
Contact
- Upstate Internet Services
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- Johnson City NY
- US 13790
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- (607)729-8189
