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City staff update commission on proposed Sacramento Zoo expansion in William Land Park
Summary
City staff and the Sacramento Zoological Society presented a nonbinding expansion concept that would increase the zoo’s footprint by about 5.6 acres to roughly 19.9 acres; staff said the MOU is a planning framework and any boundary change would require a council-approved amendment, CEQA review and further design input from neighborhoods.
Dustin Hollingsworth, assistant director of the Department of Convention and Cultural Services, told the Parson Community Enrichment Commission the city and the Sacramento Zoological Society entered a memorandum of understanding to explore expanding the Sacramento Zoo within William Land Park.
"I am here today to provide an update on the proposed expansion of the Sacramento Zoo within William Land Park," Hollingsworth said, describing the April 2026 MOU as nonbinding and not a commitment of land or funding. He told commissioners the MOU sets a framework for analysis of parks-plan impacts, CEQA and potential amendments to the existing operating agreement that would require city council action.
Elizabeth Stallard, president of the Zoological Society board, said the society revised its original request to remove the Swanson statue and fountain from the expansion footprint and now proposes increasing the zoo site from about 14.3 acres to 19.9 acres, an increase of roughly 5.6 acres. "Weare not actually adding an education component. We're moving those areas across the street to free up space for habitats," Stallard said, describing a relocation of school and education programming to a landing point across Land Park Drive rather than a net addition of new attendance-generating uses.
Commissioners and neighborhood representatives raised concerns about tree removal, fencing near historic features and impacts to park access and parking. Larice Dessen of the Upper Land Park Neighbors Association urged that fencing be set back with landscaping and that CEQA fully study effects on park users. "We want a thorough study of what the zoo attendants will do to park usage," Dessen said during public comment.
Staff and society officials said designs are at an early concept stage and committed to addressing community feedback during the CEQA and design process. Hollingsworth said the next procedural step is an amendment to the operating agreement that staff expect to bring to city council in September; if council provides a path forward, the city and society would begin CEQA review and phased design work over the following 12–36 months.
The commission received the presentation; no formal action to approve expansion occurred at the meeting. The MOU remains a planning framework and any expansion would require subsequent council approval, environmental review and detailed design.
