Akron Zoo
The Akron Zoo, located on 50 acres just west of downtown, is one of only 218 accredited world conservation zoos by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. When visiting the Akron Zoo, you'll come nose-to-nose with more than 700 animals, including endangered Humboldt penguins, snow leopards, Sumatran tigers, jaguars and Komodo dragons. The Akron Zoo is open daily from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
One of the most distinctive features of the Akron Zoo is Tiger Valley where you see tigers and bears up close. The only thing between you and the animals is a sheet of 1" thick glass.
Akron Zoo History
In 1900, George and Ann Perkins, heirs of the city’s founder, Simon Perkins, donated what is now Perkins Woods Park to the City of Akron. They stipulated that the 79 acres be used for “...the sole purpose of devoting the same to the uses of a public park, especially as a place for recreation for children.”
The Akron Museum of Natural History was incorporated in 1950. The Museum operated as a non-profit organization and helped to stimulate interest in the conservation of natural resources. The Akron Children’s Zoo was started in 1953 in association with the Museum. The first big exhibit was Monkey Island, built in 1960.
In 1979, the Zoo changed its name to the Akron Zoological Park to reflect the Zoo’s changing attitudes.
Akron Zoo
500 Edgewood Avenue
Akron, OH 44307
