Gene C. Reid Park and

Reid Park Zoo Expansion


Update to Mayor and Council on the Reid Park Zoo Expansion Project

View the most recent Mayor and Council Memorandum from Sept. 23, 2021 HERE.


A meeting was held on Oct. 1, 2021, to discuss the layout and gather any further input from the community. View a recording below.



Updated plan for the zoo expansion into the parking lot of the Zoo and ARC, new parking located in maintenance compound.

A History of the Community Conversation


At the May 4, 2021, Study Session, Mayor and Council provided clear direction on next steps for Gene C. Reid Park and Reid Park Zoo. The primary guidance includes:

  1. The Reid Park Zoo expansion will be redesigned to preserve Barnum Hill and the south duck pond as open space in the park. This addressed the primary community concern that resulted in the 45-day pause and the associated Community Conversation.
  2. The new location of the zoo expansion is north and west of the Edith Ball Adaptive Recreation Center. This area was the focus of several different concepts that gained momentum at and after the end of the CSG meetings. It gives the opportunity to embrace the values of both Concept D and Concept G – the two concepts of most interest to the CSG.
  3. Council’s guidance is to maximize the reuse of existing hardscape and minimize the use of open green space, while keeping the incremental project costs below $5.5M. This guidance makes clear the goal of minimizing impacts to accessible green space in the park, while providing the flexibility to address constructability issues and unknown conditions that will occur.
  4. We also understand the need to preserve or enhance pedestrian and bicycle access to and between different areas of the park, the need to address the proximity of new zoo habitat to the activities at Hi Corbett Field, and the need to address parking demand at Reid Park. These issues and others will not only be part of the Reid Park Zoo expansion design, they will also be considered during the upcoming Reid Park and Reid Park Zoo Master Plan, which was also authorized by Mayor and Council on May 4, 2021.

Resources & Links

45-Day Pause Historical Data

To view all the historical data and communication regarding the 45-day pause issued by Mayor and Council in March 2021, click here.

City Manager Memo 1.29.2021

The City of Tucson Memo dated 1.29.2021 is provided for context of the issue from the City’s legal perspective. Based on the Mayor and Council action to pause the project and convene this Community Conversation, alternative options will be explored by the stakeholder group and are a core part of this public discussion. Click Here

City Manager Updates

3.12.21

3.16.21

3.18.21

3.23.21

4.13.21

4.26.21 - City Manager's Recommendation

4.27.21 - Concept G Cost Estimate Breakdown Memo

4.30.27 - Reid Park Zoo Hybrid D-G Concept Memo

5.3.21 - Ward 5 Questions PDF - click here, Ward 6 Questions PDF - click here

9.23.21

Reid Park Zoo Master Plan

Report Links

Public Input Portal

Open in English & Spanish

Public Comment Phone Line

Call 520.623.3073 for English & Spanish