Elmwood Park Zoo
1661 Harding Boulevard
Norristown, PA 19401
Phone: 610-277-3825
www.elmwoodparkzoo.org

Since 1924 the Norristown Zoological Society has operated the wonderful little Elmwood Park Zoo to enrich its community, to aid conservation efforts, to pursue ecological goals, and to educate the public about these things as well as give them a chance to become better acquainted with a variety of wildlife.

The Zoo is expanding and will annex contiguous land to establish additional free-roaming exhibits.  A wide range of North American habitats will be represented, including  Deciduous Forests, Grasslands, Wetlands, and Desert.  The culture of the Native American will pervade the entire park, providing unique opportunities for education and just pure fun.

Today the 16-acre Zoo is home to some 200 animals and 80 species groups.  Here you'll see most of the animals you'd expect to see at any large zoo, but the setting is park-like and relaxed.

The Zoo offers a number of special features, including

• The Grassland exhibit with bison and elk
• A walk-through Wetlands aviary exhibit with river otter, and waterfowl
• The indoor Bayou exhibit, home to American alligators, snakes, snapping turtles and others
• Predator exhibits, including jaguars, bobcats, timber wolves, cougars, and raptors

For Birthday Parties, Elmwood Park is hard to beat.  A package for 15 guests (children and adults)costs about $225 and includes zoo admission for all, a mini-tour of the zoo for birthday parties only, live animal encounter, birthday cake, souvenir for each child, and pony rides (April - September, weather permitting). A deluxe package accommodates 24 guests costs about $350.

Reservations should be made at least 2 weeks in advance, and a deposit is required. Call for further details or visit the Zoo's official website.

School and other Groups can participate in a number of great Animal Programs.  All pre-K and Kindergarten programs last 20 minutes. Programs for grades 1 - 9 last 45 minutes. Program cost (about $9 - $11.25/student) includes zoo admission. Here are a few examples of the programs available

Preschool

• Sensational Animals: How animals use their senses and how they are different from or similar to ours
• Critter Coats: What certain animals wear that makes them unique

Kindergarten

• Junior Conservationalists: Children learn about the importance of wild animals and their homes

Grades 1 - 9

• Chains of Life: A hands-on interactive game that teaches how plants and animals depend on one another for survival
• Animal Adaptations: Interactive demonstrations and live animals are used to iullustrate different animal features and how these amazing colors, defenses and other adaptations help them survive.

Several other programs complete the wide range of group services the Zoo offers, and custom programs are available as well.  Programs are designed to help teachers meet PA academic standards. Call for further details. The Zoo also offers special workshops for Scouts. Call or visit the official website (linked above).