The Washington Park Zoo is a zoo located in Washington Park, Michigan City, Indiana, which covers 15acre on a hilly sand dune close to the southeastern tip of Lake Michigan. The park and zoo were listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.The zoo exhibits more than 220 animals of 90 species originating throughout the world. Under the zoo's new assessment and initiatives plan, the zoo is being modernized so animals are exhibited in natural settings, surrounded by botanical plantings. Among the exhibits are grizzly bears and Bengal tigers. The Education Center houses animal skulls, skins and educational animals. The Rotary Castle building exhibits cold-blooded creatures including lizards, snakes, and frogs. The Winged Wonders has a walk through aviary. The Farm exhibits miniature domestic horses, donkeys, pigs, and goats which may be fed by guests. The zoo is on the lake in Washington Park.New for the 2007 season, the zoo open a new North American river otter exhibit with two females and one male otter.HistoryIn 1925, a retired animal trainer moved his brown bear "Jake" to the Washington Park lake front in the hopes that the bear would get more visitors in the park and not be so isolated. Some additional animals and birds were brought to the park by the fire department, which at the time occasionally sheltered abandoned exotic animals, and the city had the beginnings of a zoo. Planning for a zoo board started in 1927, and the first board was appointed by City Manager Albert R. Couden in 1928. Hopes were that the zoo would provide recreation and education not only for residents of Michigan City, but also to the thousands who spent their summers at nearby resorts.
"The Washington Park Zoo is a Northwest Indiana treasure. Located on the southern shore of beautiful Lake Michigan since 1928, the Zoo is spread out over 9 acres. Its natural hillside terrain, meandering tree-covered pathways and historical WPA Works Progress Administration structures enhance your visit as you discover the wonders of the natural world. The Zoo started as a sanctuary and continues to welcome wildlife in need. Many of the animals who call the Zoo home have been pets that proved to be too wild or were confiscated as illegal and others have suffered injuries that would make life in the wild impossible."
