#United States #San Francisco #EcoPark SF #San Francisco Zoo #Justin Barker

Survey Reveals Strong Support for San Francisco Zoo Transformation

A recent independent poll targeting 1,000 voters in the San Francisco area has unveiled a significant trend: locals predominantly favor a complete transformation of the city's zoo. The results show that 76% support a radical redesign of the current zoo setup. Moreover, a substantial 57% oppose the concept of keeping animals in captivity, while 59% are against the introduction of giant pandas into the facility.

This poll aligns with the launch of EcoPark SF, an ambitious initiative aimed at replacing the outdated San Francisco Zoo with a modern ecological park. This new park will focus on conservation, education, and creating inviting public spaces. The campaign is timely, especially as concerns mount regarding the current zoo's operations, which have been criticized for relying on a model dating back to the 1930s that emphasizes exhibiting exotic animals rather than prioritizing modern conservation practices.

Observations from the SF Animal Welfare Commission and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums have highlighted several critical issues within the existing facility, including deteriorating exhibits, staffing shortages, and safety problems. Furthermore, a forthcoming city audit is anticipated to uncover additional governance and financial challenges which the zoo is currently facing.

In light of these issues, the zoo's attendance has plummeted by 40% since 2019, with recent financial reports indicating a staggering loss of nearly $12 million in the last fiscal year. Justin Barker, the founder of SF Zoo Watch and one of the architects behind the EcoPark SF proposal, emphasized the public sentiment: “San Franciscans are echoing a clear message: they are not in favor of a zoo model built on concrete cages and outdated notions. They desire an improved environment that fosters nature, promotes science education, and aligns with the values of our city.” He further urged the city authorities to embrace this transformative vision.

Perhaps surprisingly, the poll also revealed widespread skepticism regarding a proposed panda program, which typically entails multi-million dollar annual commitments, alongside contributions for projects in China, while doing little to remedy the zoo's existing structural problems.

The EcoPark SF initiative presents a visionary proposition: transforming the 100-acre site of the zoo into restored wetlands, native gardens, and interactive science spaces. Plans include developing a Wildlife Rescue and Recovery Hub, an Ocean Action Lab designed for monitoring ocean health, and The Living Edge, which aims to be a 20-acre coastal resilience area serving both wildlife and adjacent communities.

The projected investment of $350 million, set to be sourced from public partnerships, grants, philanthropy, and memberships, is expected to create a multitude of jobs, including thousands of union construction opportunities and about 450 permanent positions. Experts estimate that this investment could generate between $900 million to $1.2 billion in public value within a decade.

“This could very well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Barker remarked. “Not only could we bolster our coastline and modernize our educational framework, but we could also craft a public space that is fitting for the next century rather than one that harks back to the past.”

For anyone interested in following the developments of this ambitious project, more information can be found at EcoParkSF.com.