Saint Louis Zoo Sets $600 Million Economic Goal for New 425-Acre Park

The Saint Louis Zoo is preparing to open WildCare Park next year in Spanish Lake, a 425-acre facility designed to mimic an African safari. The new site is located just south of the Missouri River in north St. Louis County. Construction is currently in its final phase.

Executive Director Sabbarras George stated that the design aims to trick visitors into believing they are far from St. Louis. "They’re coming to someplace in St. Louis that they will absolutely forget they’re in St. Louis," George said. He added, "There’s just no place like it."

The park features multiple trails where vehicles and people interact with animals in open spaces. WildCare Park curator Tim Thier noted that the arrangement of species resembles conditions in Kenya. "It really does resemble being in Kenya when you see these species together," Thier said. During a recent site visit, traffic stopped for roadblocks and antelope, and visitors came close enough to giraffes to smell them.

Thier explained that the large acreage allows the zoo to house more animals than the existing Forest Park location. Many of these species are endangered. "Really helping those species grow and be more sustainable," Thier said. The space provides extensive areas for grazing.

St. Louis County residents will enter the park free of charge. This is due to a special sales tax passed last decade. In addition to guided vehicle safaris, the park will include a walking safari area. Director of Architecture and Construction Leslie Garner described this area as having kangaroos and wallabies roaming without barriers between them and visitors.

The facility includes a museum, a restaurant, glamping cabins, and an event space. The event space has a rear view that opens directly into animal habitats. George suggested this setup would allow for close encounters, such as taking a photo with a giraffe. The rolling hills of the property influenced the placement of buildings and animal zones.

The zoo expects the new park to generate an economic impact north of $600 million. Staff hope this growth will attract other businesses to North County. The park will also feature an observation tower that staff say will be nearly 200 feet high. This structure will be the highest elevation point in St. Louis County, with a view of the Arch on clear days.