Prospect Park Zoo

The Prospect Park Zoo is a 12-acre facility located on the eastern side of Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York. It originated as a menagerie in 1890, and the current zoo opened in 1935 with labor from the Works Progress Administration. After a major renovation, it reopened in 1993 as the Prospect Park Wildlife Conservation Center, operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Today, the zoo houses over 860 animals representing about 176 species. Visitors can see a wide variety of wildlife, attend children's educational programs, and enjoy wildlife theater performances. The zoo is also involved in endangered species restoration and offers community volunteer programs, making it an engaging destination for families and nature enthusiasts.