Cosley Zoo is a small, community-focused zoo in Wheaton, Illinois, operated by the Wheaton Park District on a compact 5-acre site that was once a local train depot property. What began in 1974 as Cosley Children’s Park and Museum grew into a full AZA-accredited zoo, officially renamed Cosley Zoo in 1999 to mark its 25th anniversary.
Despite its small footprint, Cosley Zoo punches above its weight, housing more than 200 animals across roughly 60 species of domestic farm animals and North American wildlife. It’s especially known for hands-on youth programs and a long-running partnership helping rear and release endangered Blanding’s turtles back into DuPage County wetlands. The zoo is open daily, year-round, with seasonal hours detailed below.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Wheaton, Illinois
- Opened: August 1974 (renamed Cosley Zoo in 1999)
- Size: About 5 acres
- Species/Animal count: About 60 species, 200+ animals
- Annual visitors: About 150,000
- Famous for: Rearing and releasing endangered Blanding’s turtles since 2001
A Zoo Built on Local History
Cosley Zoo’s origins trace back to November 1973, when Paula Jones donated roughly 2.65 acres of land in honor of her relative Harvey Cosley. The site opened the following year as Cosley Children’s Park and Museum, expanding by another 2 acres in 1976 and adding an aviary in 1982 that still houses pheasants, ruffed grouse, and doves today.
The zoo earned Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation around 2000, shortly after its 1999 rebrand to Cosley Zoo, cementing its place as a legitimate conservation and education institution despite its modest size.
Cosley Zoo Hours & Admission
Cosley Zoo is an outdoor facility open daily, rain or shine, with seasonal hours: roughly 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April through October, and roughly 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November through March (last admission about 45 minutes before close). The zoo extends its hours into the evening for its holiday Festival of Lights, running from the day after Thanksgiving through late December. It closes for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day; always confirm the exact schedule on the zoo’s official site before visiting, since hours shift around the holidays.
Admission is free for children up to age 11 and for Wheaton Park District residents with a Universal Resident ID. Nonresident admission runs about $12 for adults ages 12-59 and about $10 for visitors 60 and older, with memberships and group rates also available.
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Zoo days are long and the shade isn't always where the animals are.
Clips to a stroller, wagon or backpack strap. Quiet enough that it won't wake a napping toddler.
Cold water for the whole loop around the zoo, with a straw lid that doesn't leak in the bag.
Cosley Zoo FAQs
What are Cosley Zoo’s hours?
Cosley Zoo is open daily, year-round, with seasonal hours: roughly 9 a.m.-5 p.m. from April through October, and roughly 9 a.m.-4 p.m. from November through March, plus extended evening hours during its holiday Festival of Lights. It’s closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day — check the zoo’s official site for exact holiday-season hours.
Is Cosley Zoo free?
Admission is free for children up to age 11 and for Wheaton Park District residents and members. Nonresident adults pay about $12 (ages 12-59) or about $10 (60 and over).
What animals does Cosley Zoo have?
The zoo houses more than 200 animals across roughly 60 species, including domestic farm animals and North American wildlife like birds, reptiles, and mammals.
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Photo: Christian Wilcox from Madison, United States / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.