Setting the tone for the re-imagined zoo, upon entry, guests will be greeted by a new entrance plaza. Featuring a new aquatic exhibit, one of many new exhibits to be added, guests will get their first view of park animals as soon as they arrive, setting the tone of discovery and conservation through their park journey. Great care was taken in the development of the proposed Master Plan, focusing on key pillars of: animal welfare, overall guest experience, Zoo mission as a conservation institution, building positive momentum, and meeting or exceeding AZA standards.

Proposed exhibits including homes for Jaguar, Snow Leopard, and Colobus Monkey, are sure to delight a new generation of park guests, and provide up-close opportunities focusing on the Zoo’s mission of conservation, education, and animal care and well being. “Every aspect of the zoo’s facilities, animal collection, guest amenities and operations have been scrutinized and evaluated,” says Zoo Director Brint Spencer. “Once this assessment was complete, the task became to reassemble the pieces into a new and exciting vision for the Brandywine Zoo.”

Phase I of this multi-year expansion is expected to break ground in late 2018, bringing a new Goat Contact Exhibit, with phase II beginning design in 2019 and breaking ground in 2020.

DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation will host an open house for the public to learn about future plans for the Brandywine Zoo from 4 – 7 p.m. Thursday, June 14 at the zoo’s Education Center, 1001 North Park Drive, Wilmington, DE 19802. The open house will provide an opportunity for the public to meet with Brandywine Zoo and Division of Parks & Recreation staff, and learn about upcoming plans for the zoo, which includes proposed improvements over the next five to eight years.

More information about the proposed masterplan for the Brandywine Zoo can be found on the DNREC website. Make sure to keep an eye on the DE State Parks Blog, Facebook, and Twitter for more information. Are you excited for new animals to make their way to the Brandywine Zoo? Let us know in the comments below.