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Residents urge Erie council to act on parks upgrades and to save Erie Zoo as accreditation lapsed
Summary
Public commenters said the city has not spent previously appropriated funds on parks and urged action to restore and fully accredit the Erie Zoo; speakers proposed partnering with a regional organization and questioned delay in using unanticipated revenues.
Multiple residents used the public‑comment period at the June 18 Erie City Council meeting to press the city to spend appropriated funds on parks upgrades and to take steps to restore the Erie Zoo to full accreditation.
Michael Keys, an Erie resident, criticized what he described as a lack of spending from previously appropriated funds. "It's time that we spend the money on the citizens and that the people get something," he said. Keys told the council he recalled $76,000,000 in unanticipated revenue and said citizens had not seen corresponding investments in parks and facilities.
David Ulig, who identified himself as an Erie resident on Myrtle Street, urged council to "take action to keep the Erie Zoo operational as a fully accredited zoo." Ulig said the zoo lost accreditation four years ago because of limited space for modern exhibits and lack of funding. He described options for the city to provide space within Glenwood Park while maintaining other park amenities and said the city could partner with a regional organization to manage the zoo. "This regional organization has two members on the board that are appointed by you, the city council and the mayor," Ulig said, urging the council to avoid leaving the zoo property abandoned at a city gateway.
Several council members acknowledged the issue and said they were continuing discussions. At committee reports, Council Member Titus said the council is "currently scheduling meetings with the counselors to go over the proposals that we've received from the Erie Zoo and Erie events," indicating council engagement with submitted proposals.
Why it matters: Erie Zoo is a century‑old city asset sited in Glenwood Park; restoring accreditation would affect the zoo's operations, potential regional partnerships and how the city uses park land and capital dollars. Public concern also focused on how previously appropriated unanticipated revenue has been used.
No formal council action on the zoo or the parks spending question was recorded at the June 18 meeting; public commenters asked council and staff to accelerate review of proposals and to allocate funding where required.
