Don't Let the Oakland Zoo Take Over Even More Acres of Knowland Park!

  • by: Sue Lee
  • recipient: Oakland City Council

The Oakland Zoo is planning a 56-acre expansion into neighboring Knowland Park that could not only endanger the natural and sensitive habitat of a threatened snake species, rare plant communities, and native grasslands. The project could also lead to people losing access to public parkland that, in the increasingly congested Bay Area, offers sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay from a yet undisturbed, undeveloped area.

Don't let the Oakland Zoo take over even more acres of Knowland Park!

While publicly owned, the Oakland Zoo is run by a nonprofit, the East Bay Zoological Society. In 2011, the Oakland City Council approved the Zoological Society's proposal to build an interpretive center, a visitors' building, the $61 million "California Trail" project (which will include animal exhibits), a gondola attraction and an overnight camping area. Environmentalists objected and called for a further environmental review but the city of Oakland said that this was not necessary.

Now, in order to meet state and federal regulators' requirements, the Zoological Society wants to use 21 acres of additional parkland as a "conservation easement." But doing so will make even more acres of Knowland Park off-limits to public access.

The Zoological Society is planning to break ground on the expansion project n 2015. Environmentalists and scientists have continued to raise numerous objections, pointing out that alternative sites for the zoo's expansion should be investigated and emphasizing that the current project is sure to "destroy" the habitat for the threatened Alameda whipsnake.

Tell the Oakland City Council not to let the Oakland Zoo use the additional 21 acres of Knowland Park and close public lands from public access!

To the Oakland City Council:


Don't let the Oakland Zoo take over even more acres of Knowland Park!


The Oakland Zoo is planning a 56-acre expansion into neighboring Knowland Park that could not only endanger the natural and sensitive habitat of a threatened snake species, rare plant communities, and native grasslands. The project could also lead to people losing access to public parkland that, in the increasingly congested Bay Area, offers sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay from a yet undisturbed, undeveloped area.


While publicly owned, the Oakland Zoo is run by a nonprofit, the East Bay Zoological Society. In 2011, the Oakland City Council approved the Zoological Society's proposal to build an interpretive center, a visitors' building, the $61 million "California Trail" project (which will include animal exhibits), a gondola attraction and an overnight camping area. Environmentalists objected and called for a further environmental review -- but the city of Oakland said that this was not necessary.


Now, in order to meet state and federal regulators' requirements, the Zoological Society wants to use 21 acres of additional parkland as a "conservation easement." Doing so will make even more acres of Knowland Park off-limits to public access.


The Zoological Society is planning to break ground on the expansion project n 2015. Environmentalists and scientists have continued -- with increasing alarm -- to raise numerous objections, pointing out that alternative sites for the zoo's expansion should be investigated and emphasizing that the current project is sure to "destroy" the habitat for the threatened Alameda whipsnake.


Do not to let the Oakland Zoo use the additional 21 acres of Knowland Park and close public lands from public access!

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