Did you know Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo wasn’t always the amazing place it is today? Picture this: a small collection of animals. It was located on the University of Tampa campus back in the 1930s. This humble beginning was far from the 63-acre nonprofit zoo we know and love. Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo has a rich history. It moved to its current Seminole Heights location in 1957. It was originally called Lowry Park Zoo. The name honors Sumter de Leon Lowry Sr. He was a Tampa city commissioner known for his controversial support of segregation. Ironically his son Sumter de Leon Lowry Jr. later donated money to improve the park. He even donated an elephant to the zoo’s collection.
The early zoo was charming. It shared the park with Fairyland. Fairyland featured concrete fairy tale statues and a winding maze under sprawling oaks. A rainbow bridge provided access to this whimsical area. The zoo wasn’t just about animals. It included a roller coaster a skyride and a kid-sized train. By the 1980s the zoo’s facilities were dilapidated. The Humane Society deemed it one of America’s worst zoos. Animals lived in cramped unhealthy concrete enclosures.
Then came a major transformation. After years of fundraising and with the help of Mayor Bob Martinez the zoo closed in September 1987. A $20 million reconstruction removed nearly all traces of the original zoo including Fairyland. The revamped zoo opened in March 1988 with modern facilities. Since then numerous sections and attractions have been added. Many have a geographic theme like Asian Gardens or Safari Africa.
ZooTampa at Lowry Park is the zoo’s current name. This rebranding happened in 2018 as part of another large renovation and expansion project. Almost a million people visit annually to see over 1300 animals. The zoo is a leader in conservation efforts. It participates in 95 Species Survival Plan projects. It’s also home to a manatee hospital the only nonprofit one dedicated to injured sick and orphaned manatees. This remarkable work earned Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo a Significant Achievement in North American Conservation Award in 2012.
Today Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is more than just a zoo. It’s a vibrant hub for education conservation and family fun. It’s a testament to the power of vision and community collaboration transforming a struggling zoo into a world-class attraction. So come explore Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. Discover the fascinating story behind its growth its conservation commitment and its enduring appeal.