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An idea is in the works that makes sense.
Hogle Zoo wants to expand. This is the Place Heritage Park, located across Sunnyside Avenue from the zoo at the mouth of Emigration Canyon, has a lot of acreage not currently in use.
There is serious talk of the zoo acquiring some of that land. Indeed, it seems like a great idea!
Instead of moving the entire zoo operation lock, stock and elephant pen to another location, as some are proposing, it could stay where it has been since 1931. It could continue to capitalize on the tradition of its long-time home. Besides, the cost of staying put and remodeling would likely be considerably less than relocating across the valley or into another county.
Consider, too, the possibilities of a synergistic relationship with This is the Place Heritage Park. The park is steadily growing in popularity. As years pass, it will become a "must-see" attraction for tourists and a popular place of respite for locals. Surely, the zoo and the park would complement each other.
Then there is the opportunity of developing some unique and innovative shared attractions such as exhibits of animals that inhabited the area during pioneer times.
As always, "the devil is in the details." Still, the very real prospect of some sort of cooperative venture between the zoo and the park reinforces KSL's long held view that the existing site is still the best location for the zoo.
