Mesker Park Zoo
Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden is a zoo and botanical garden located in Evansville, Indiana, United States. It was founded as Mesker Park Zoo in 1927 by Francis Joseph Mesker, an industrialist whose family built the Mesker Iron Works and created one of the nation's first public gardens at Mesker Park. The zoo is situated on land that is part of Historic Olde Towne Evansville.
In 1897, the City of Evansville purchased a tract for what would become Mesker Park; which was named after the family whose ironworks company donated money to help create this park. In 1927 Frank J. Mesker donated a small menagerie to the city and this served as the beginning for what we know today as the Mesker Park Zoo.
In 1930, the original zoo was closed. This was in order to create space for a new wing that would showcase exhibits by animals indigenous to the state of Indiana such as American black bear, deer, bobcats and opossums among other animals. In 1952, the next addition took place which consisted of exhibits depicting wildlife from around the world and this included elephants, monkeys and penguins just to name a few.
There are several major changes in store for Mesker Park Zoo in the future including plans for expanding an education center which will be used in offering various class topics and workshops for youth groups and various civic groups throughout Vanderburgh County. Another major change is scheduled to take place with regards to another area known as the "Bottoms" which is a flood plain that has been used for as an animal habitat. In order to create a more naturalized and accurate depiction of what the area would look like with animals, plans are in motion to restore this land back into native grasses and wetlands.
Business Information:
Lappe Heating & Air
621 N 9th Ave. Evansville, IN 47712
812-425-9464