Greenville Zoo project wins council approval; naming agreement for event space included
October 14, 2025 | Greenville City, Greenville County, South Carolina
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The Greenville City Council voted to approve a resolution that includes a naming opportunity for an event space at the Greenville Zoo and heard a presentation about the Phillips Family Farm project, which zoo officials described as the largest single project in the zoo's history.
Zoo representatives said the Phillips Family Farm project is priced at $3,600,000, funded by a combination of state and private dollars: roughly $2,300,000 from the state and $1,300,000 from private and foundation contributions, the presentation said. The exhibit will include farm animals such as Scottish Highland cattle, Mediterranean donkeys, alpacas, Flemish rabbits and American barn owls. The project also includes a 2,500-square-foot event facility with capacity for about 125 guests.
The council considered and approved a resolution described on the agenda as a naming opportunity agreement with Baxter and Ashley Moore for the event space at the zoo. Zoo and foundation representatives acknowledged several donors, including Nancy Phillips, who is listed as a major donor and naming sponsor for the Phillips Family Farm; Greg and Patty Gibson for a donation to the rabbitry; the Community Foundation for funding the barn-owl exhibit; and Platt and Ashley Moore for contributions to a viewing area.
Why it matters: the project represents a sizable capital investment in a city-owned cultural amenity and includes both a donor-named event space and new exhibits intended for education and conservation.
Discussion, direction and decision
- Discussion points: Zoo staff presented project scope, animal species expected to be installed and donor list; councilmembers and attendees thanked donors and foundation partners.
- Direction: No additional direction recorded beyond acceptance of the naming agreement and thanks to donors.
- Decision: Resolution to approve the naming opportunity agreement for the zoo event space — approved by council vote.
Ending
Council voted to approve the resolution and thanked the zoo foundation, donors and staff for their fundraising and project planning. Zoo officials said the project celebrates community support and conservation education.
Zoo representatives said the Phillips Family Farm project is priced at $3,600,000, funded by a combination of state and private dollars: roughly $2,300,000 from the state and $1,300,000 from private and foundation contributions, the presentation said. The exhibit will include farm animals such as Scottish Highland cattle, Mediterranean donkeys, alpacas, Flemish rabbits and American barn owls. The project also includes a 2,500-square-foot event facility with capacity for about 125 guests.
The council considered and approved a resolution described on the agenda as a naming opportunity agreement with Baxter and Ashley Moore for the event space at the zoo. Zoo and foundation representatives acknowledged several donors, including Nancy Phillips, who is listed as a major donor and naming sponsor for the Phillips Family Farm; Greg and Patty Gibson for a donation to the rabbitry; the Community Foundation for funding the barn-owl exhibit; and Platt and Ashley Moore for contributions to a viewing area.
Why it matters: the project represents a sizable capital investment in a city-owned cultural amenity and includes both a donor-named event space and new exhibits intended for education and conservation.
Discussion, direction and decision
- Discussion points: Zoo staff presented project scope, animal species expected to be installed and donor list; councilmembers and attendees thanked donors and foundation partners.
- Direction: No additional direction recorded beyond acceptance of the naming agreement and thanks to donors.
- Decision: Resolution to approve the naming opportunity agreement for the zoo event space — approved by council vote.
Ending
Council voted to approve the resolution and thanked the zoo foundation, donors and staff for their fundraising and project planning. Zoo officials said the project celebrates community support and conservation education.
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