Elmwood Park Zoo has been a fixture of Norristown, Pennsylvania since July 4, 1924, when a local farmer transferred 16 acres of land and a small menagerie of animals to the Borough of Norristown. What began as a modest community collection has grown into an AZA-accredited zoo that now draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to see everything from giraffes to red pandas just outside Philadelphia.
Today the zoo is operated by the nonprofit Norristown Zoological Society, which took over ownership in 1985 and has steadily expanded the grounds with immersive exhibits like the Trail of the Jaguar and a walk-through giraffe feeding experience. In 2018, Elmwood Park Zoo became the first zoo in the world to earn Certified Autism Center designation, reflecting its focus on accessible, family-friendly visits alongside its conservation and education mission.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Norristown, Pennsylvania
- Opened: 1924
- Size: 16 acres
- Species: About 100 species, roughly 300 animals
- Annual visitors: Around 500,000-800,000
- Famous for: First zoo worldwide certified as an Autism Center (2018)
What to See at the Zoo
Elmwood Park Zoo’s compact 16-acre footprint packs in a diverse animal collection, including giraffes, zebras, American bison, jaguars, red pandas, otters, and an American alligator. The Trail of the Jaguar, which opened in 2017, lets guests get close to jaguars, ocelots, bobcats, burrowing owls, and Gila monsters along a winding path, while the zoo’s giraffe exhibit offers daily public feedings that have become one of its signature guest experiences.
The zoo is also home to Noah, a bald eagle who serves as the live mascot of the Philadelphia Eagles, tying the zoo into regional sports culture. Family amenities include the Thomas Kimmel Playground and the Oberkircher Discovery Center, which anchors the zoo’s education programs for school groups and visiting families.
Conservation and Community Roots
As an AZA-accredited institution, Elmwood Park Zoo participates in Species Survival Plan programs for threatened species such as Panamanian golden frogs, giraffes, and jaguars, contributing to coordinated breeding and conservation efforts across accredited zoos. The nonprofit Norristown Zoological Society has managed the zoo since 1985, continuing the community stewardship that began when a local farmer donated the original land in 1924.
Recent investments, including a veterinary health center that opened in 2024, reflect the zoo’s continued growth as it marked its 100th anniversary in Norristown, a milestone that underscores its status as one of the region’s longest-running family attractions.
Explore more: More Zoos & Aquariums.
Elmwood Park Zoo FAQs
Where is Elmwood Park Zoo located?
Elmwood Park Zoo is located in Norristown, Pennsylvania, near Valley Forge National Historical Park and the King of Prussia area outside Philadelphia.
When did Elmwood Park Zoo open?
The zoo opened on July 4, 1924, after a local farmer transferred 16 acres of land and a small animal collection to the Borough of Norristown.
How many animals live at Elmwood Park Zoo?
The zoo houses roughly 300 animals representing about 100 species, including giraffes, jaguars, red pandas, zebras, and bison.
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Photo: Sdrogers / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.