By Ignacio Barragan
Earlier this month, a famous resident of the Sacramento Zoo escaped for the second time. Josephine, the armadillo, seems insistent on starting her big move away from the Land Park area. But like our armored friend, residents around here don’t get away that easily. That’s because the Land Park community works hard every day to collaborate, volunteer time, and work together to make sure our streets are safe and our park is clean and well-maintained. One reason is to ensure local attractions like Fairytale Land, Funderland, and the Sacramento Zoo have reasons to stay.
That’s why it’s hard for so many of us to hear the Sacramento Zoological Society, a non-profit that owns the animals and manages zoo operations, wants to relocate away from the neighborhood. Of course, we want to see the zoo stay, but we also need to understand why this neighbor might want to leave.
Many of you may already know that the zoo’s property is City-owned, bequeathed to Land Park for public use and enjoyment. Some of the buildings on the property are even registered as historic landmarks. Should the Sacramento Zoological Society relocate the zoo, the City will not have unfettered discretion to use the area as they see fit.
This is part of why Josephine the armadillo will have to wait a few years before she can leave the Land Park area for good, possibly to Elk Grove. City officials have assured that considerations about any future use for the space would conform to a legally mandated public comment process. Moreover, the Land Park Community Association will continue to contact local officials to ensure we all have an opportunity to share our thoughts.
For now, only speculation abounds about what may take the zoo’s place someday. Some say a botanical garden; others think a redevelopment project with public/private partnerships like the old town Sacramento riverfront, where the property is City-owned and private interests operate businesses like restaurants. Others want the space to be equal to a zoo and offer fun, family-friendly amenities.
The good news is all of this is pure speculation. Sure, the animals might be escaping, but city officials are telling us the zoo won’t be going anywhere for at least a couple of years. We will have plenty of time to help steer public officials in the right direction.
You can join the LPCA today and ensure you are part of this conversation. Become a member and get involved!
Ignacio Barragan is a board member of the Land Park Community Association, husband and new father. You can reach out to Ignacio and the board at: eboard@landpark.org