Franklin Park Zoo has welcomed visitors to the Dorchester section of Boston since it first opened on October 4, 1912, making it one of the oldest zoos in the United States still in operation today. Set within the northeastern portion of Franklin Park, a landscape originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the zoo has evolved from a modest municipal animal collection into an AZA-accredited institution operated by Zoo New England.
Today the zoo spans 72 acres and is home to more than 1,000 animals representing roughly 220 species, ranging from lowland gorillas and giraffes to zebras and African lions. Signature habitats like the Tropical Forest, Serengeti Crossing, and Kalahari Kingdom immerse visitors in ecosystems from around the globe, while newer additions such as Gorilla Grove reflect the zoo’s ongoing investment in naturalistic, conservation-focused exhibit design.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts
- Opened: October 4, 1912
- Operator: Zoo New England (since 1991)
- Size: 72 acres
- Species: About 220 species, 1,000+ animals
- Annual Visitors: About 200,000
- Hours: 9am-4pm to 9am-6pm daily, varies by season
- Famous For: The Tropical Forest gorilla habitat and Serengeti Crossing
A Century of Growth in Franklin Park
Franklin Park Zoo’s roots trace back to the early 20th century, when it opened as a free municipal zoo under the Boston Parks Department and drew crowds estimated at two million visitors by 1920. Ownership shifted over the decades, and in 1990 the zoo earned accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a milestone that pushed it toward the modern, conservation-oriented institution it is today. Zoo New England has managed the site since 1991, alongside its sister park, the Stone Zoo in Stoneham.
Exhibits Worth Exploring
The zoo’s flagship exhibit, the Tropical Forest, is a domed pavilion spanning about 3 acres where western lowland gorillas and pygmy hippos live among lush tropical plantings. Nearby, Serengeti Crossing recreates an African grassland shared by giraffes, zebras, and ostriches, while Kalahari Kingdom brings visitors face to face with lions. Families often gravitate toward the Children’s Zoo and the newer Gorilla Grove, which opened in 2022 with climbing structures designed to encourage natural gorilla behaviors.
Explore more: Explore more Zoos & Aquariums.
Franklin Park Zoo FAQs
Where is Franklin Park Zoo located?
Franklin Park Zoo is located in the Dorchester section of Boston, Massachusetts, within the northeastern portion of Franklin Park.
What are Franklin Park Zoo’s hours?
Hours vary by season: roughly 9am-5pm on weekdays and 9am-6pm on weekends from April through July, daily 9am-5pm in August and September, and daily 9am-4pm from October through March. The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the last ticket is sold one hour before closing.
Who operates Franklin Park Zoo?
Franklin Park Zoo has been operated by the nonprofit Zoo New England since 1991; the zoo itself first opened to the public in 1912.
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Photo: Freddy eduardo / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.