Potter Park Zoo Acquires Detroit Zoos's Chief Horticulturalist

Flushing native Thomas Davidek has been appointed to the position of Horticulturist for the Potter Park Zoo. His 16 years of experience as the lead horticulturist at the Detroit Zoo will serve him well in his new role as overseer of all landscape/garden development and maintenance within the zoo’s 100 acre facility.

While at the Detroit Zoo, Davidek maintained one of the largest volunteer programs in the country and helped it to grow to over 300 members responsible for more than 140 garden sights within the zoo. This is a program he hopes to replicate at the Potter Park Zoo. Davidek also worked with volunteers from the Ford Motor Company, who last year donated over 5,000 hours to the Detroit Zoo. 

“We’re delighted to welcome Tom to our family here at the zoo and we’re fortunate to have a horticulturist with his exemplary background in landscape development and community involvement on our staff,” said Zoo Director Gerry Brady.

Davidek earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry at Michigan State University. Born and raised in Flushing, Michigan, he and his family are planning to relocate to Ingham County from the Detroit area.

Potter Park Zoo is located at 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave. within Potter Park along the Red Cedar River in Lansing, Michigan. The zoo is open daily year-round, summer hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 517.483.4221 or visit www.potterparkzoo.org