[1] The zoo is in Columbian Park, which also includes playgrounds, picnic areas, a walking trail, and a baseball stadium.

[3][4] The Columbian Park Zoo was founded in 1908 and originally contained foxes, skunks, pelicans, deer, lynx, prairie dogs, and a wolf.

This plan called for more naturalized exhibits, a discovery center, and the return of the Columbian Park Carousel.

The program is held once a month and children are encouraged to dress in their pajamas for 45 minutes of bedtime story readings, activities and an animal encounter.

Additional programs are available for school-aged children in the form of weekend classes, workshops and summer camps.