Blank Park Zoo Receives $100,000 From Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino

By Ryan Bickel 

Des Moines, IA - The Blank Park Zoo Foundation has received a $100,000 gift from Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino as part of the leadership phase of the Wild About Animals Capital Campaign to expand and renovate the Blank Park Zoo.

Prairie Meadows has long been a philanthropic leader in Central Iowa. They have been generous benefactors to the Zoo and many organizations over the past years. Their philanthropic support can be seen throughout the city, including the Boys & Girls Club of Central Iowa, the Des Moines Arts Festival, Des Moines Roosevelt High School, and the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. Prairie Meadows has once again stepped forward to provide leadership for an important community and state project, the Blank Park Zoo expansion.

Iowa’s former Governors Ray, and Branstad– and community leaders Mike Hubbell and Loretta Sieman are providing leadership for the $40 million Wild About Animals Capital Campaign. The campaign goal includes $32 million for expansion and renovation and $8 million for endowment to ensure sustainability of the enlarged zoo.

The Wild About Animals capital campaign began in May with leadership gifts from William and Susan Knapp, Elizabeth Kruidenier, Helen and James Hubbell, Jr., the W.T. and Edna M. Dahl Trust, the Meredith Corporation Foundation and many others. Prairie Meadows recent leadership gift brings the total raised to $13.8 million.

When the expansion is completed, the zoo will grow from its current 23 acres to more than 103 acres. Plans call for walking trails, new exhibits, an endangered species carousel, dugout canoe ride, tram and sky ride along with a new education center in a renovated historic Ft. Des Moines building.

The Blank Park Zoo, Iowa’s WILDEST Adventure, is open everyday from 10am-4pm. Admission is $9.95 for adults, $4.95 for children under 12, and $7.95 for seniors and active military. The Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)  The AZA is America’s leading accrediting organization that sets rigorous, professional standards for zoos and aquariums. The AZA is building North America's largest wildlife conservation movement by engaging and inspiring the 143 million annual visitors to its member institutions and their communities to care about and take action to help protect wildlife.

The Blank Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The AZA is America’s leading accrediting organization that sets rigorous, professional standards for zoos and aquariums. The AZA is building North America's largest wildlife conservation movement by engaging and inspiring the 143 million annual visitors to its member institutions and their communities to care about and take action to help protect wildlife.