Our Story
The founding of the Hutchinson Friends of the Zoo organization in 1985 was largely instrumental to the establishment of the zoo the following year. The Hutchinson Zoo opened its doors to the public on May 23, 1986 complete with a petting zoo area called Animals and Man, the Wild Habitats Building, the Spider Web play area for children and many lovely ponds and flowerbeds.
Thanks to the successful fund raising efforts of Friends of the Zoo, the Visitor Center construction began in 2001 and opened the following year in August. The Visitor Center contains on-site offices and break room space for zoo staff, the Friends of the Zoo Gift Shop and a conference room and meeting room available not only to the zoo, but for rent to the public. Following the opening of the Visitor Center, the zoo experienced an increase in zoo memberships and expanded their ability to reach those outside of Hutchinson and the surrounding communities with the creation of the zoo website.
Further exhibit renovations and master planning re-evaluations occurred in 2012 under the direction of a new Zoo Director. The zoo has much to look forward to! 2016 will host the groundbreaking for a new North American River Otter exhibit. The zoo is also thrilled to develop the education department under the direction of a new, full time, Education and Volunteer Coordinator as well as see further development of several promising special events and activities. With the support of this outstanding community, an eager Board of Directors, enthusiastic volunteers and highly motivated and inspired employees the zoo will inevitably thrive and develop into a major Hutchinson area attraction.
