Frank Buck Zoo is a small zoo founded in 1930 and located in the 30acre Leonard Park in Gainesville, Texas, USA. The zoo started as the Gainesville Community Circus in 1930. It is home to more than 130 animals.HistoryThe zoo was founded by A. Morton Smith as Gainesville Community Circus, and opened in 1930 at the Cooke County Fair, Fair Park, in Gainesville. A fire at the zoo in 1954 destroyed circus equipment and from 1954 the animals were kept permanently in enclosures. In 1954 the zoo was renamed after the film actor and director (and Gainesville native) Frank Buck, who collected wild animals from all over the world, and who also worked as a ring master at the zoo.The zoo was moved to its current location in Leonard Park in 1962.The Frank Buck Exhibit opened at the zoo in March 2008 showing items donated by Buck's daughter, Barbara Buck, that once belonged to her father including camp tools and media memorabilia.FacilitiesThe handicap and stroller accessible path around the zoo is about a mile long, with an elevated walkway over the kangaroos, giraffes and zebras. Visitors see the giraffes at eye level and can feed them during the public feeding every day.
"Best Little Zoo In Texas, located on 12 acres in Leonard Park. Circular walking path is ADA and stroller accessible. 5 acre mixed species African savannah viewed from an elevated "giraffes eye view" walkway. Features: Daily giraffe encounters weather permitting, VIP Flamingo feeding limited, goat feeding until feed runs out and collection of Frank Buck memorabilia. Amphitheater for scheduled interpretive programs, gazebo for spontaneous interpretive encounters. Voted number one party venue in Cooke County. Giftshop promotes locally sourced products, sustainable and fair-trade products that support wildlife conservation. Grounds include multiple pollinator gardens and Monarch Waystations. Supports both local and global conservation."Reviews, get directions and information Frank Buck Zoo.
