LANSING, Mich.—Hidden in the heart of Lansing, next to a bend in the Red Cedar River, is Michigan’s oldest zoo, the Potter Park Zoo. Established in 1920, Potter Park has immersed visitors in a visceral encounter with nature and history for more than 100 years. And yet, many of the individuals who live within a few miles have never visited or even know it exists.
Jenna Worthington, Potter Park Zoo’s special projects coordinator, is well aware of the zoo’s quiet presence in Lansing. “I think the biggest thing I’ve always heard is, ‘Oh, we didn’t know there was a zoo right in Lansing,’” she said.
Worthington is focused on raising the zoo’s visibility and strengthening its role as a community resource through events and programs. One of these elements is planning and creating a new animal hospital on the zoo’s property, set to open within the next five years.
Zach Streich, a Michigan State student and Midland resident, visited Potter Park Zoo for the first time, having not set foot in a zoo since childhood. Zach found particular joy in watching the playful penguins, which were next to the elk exhibit. Streich was impressed by the diversity of animals at a small zoo.
— Photo Credit: Meg Vandermark
For Streich, his visit was about overcoming fears and discovering new interests. “The one time I went to the zoo, I liked learning about stuff I was afraid of, like spiders and snakes,” Streich said.
In addition to its entertainment and educational value, Potter Park Zoo participates in at least eight Species Survival Plans (SSPs). As a museum, the zoo has a responsibility to safeguard its collection. The emotional connection you get from being eye-to-eye with a snake helps people invest in the protection of snakes, such as the Massasauga rattlesnake.
The Massasauga rattlesnake is a local species listed as threatened. Potter Park is home to one of these snakes. Across the world, many animals are endangered; at least 15,000 of the world’s 8 million species are threatened with extinction.
— Photo Credit: Meg Vandermark
To build stronger ties with the community, Potter Park Zoo has launched innovative programs aimed at accessibility and environmental education. From sensory-friendly days to behind-the-scenes tours and seasonal events like Boo at the Zoo and Wonderland of Lights, these initiatives invite visitors to experience the zoo in new ways.
Worthington explains, “They teach the kids a lot of things they can do at home for conservation.”
Additionally, Potter Park’s Quarters for Conservation program and the FALCONERS sensory-friendly initiative provide opportunities for visitors to engage with the zoo’s outreach efforts.
Emily Linden, a board member on the Zoo Advisory Board for more than two years, echoed Worthington’s thoughts on community accessibility. Linden introduced the Zoo in Your Neighborhood program, which allows local library and community center patrons to rent zoo passes, ensuring families have access to this valuable resource.
“Community involvement and making sure the zoo is accessible to everyone is such a huge guiding light for everyone who works there,” Linden said.
Potter Park Zoo hosts seasonal events that entertain and educate attendees about conservation. Each visit offers the chance to deepen understanding of the natural world while supporting an invaluable community resource. As Worthington put it, “Without the Lansing community, we don’t really have people to do our events and programs for.”
Looking ahead, the zoo is gearing up for its 32nd Annual Wonderland of Lights from Nov. 23 to Dec. 23. The event transforms the zoo into a dazzling holiday spectacle with thousands of lights, festive music, and the chance to meet Santa on weekends. The zoo and its upcoming projects offer locals the chance to experience the zoo in a new light while supporting its educational and conservation missions.