Toledo Zoo buys property on Anthony Wayne Path for enlargement

The zoo bought former railroad property on the Anthony Wayne Trail to create overflow parking and a new entrance.

TOLEDO, Ohio – With all of the zoos, Toledo Zoo is planning the future and possible expansion.

Jeff Sailer, executive director of Toledo Zoo, said the zoo bought former railroad property on the Anthony Wayne Trail. Now the plan is to level it and create a parking space.

“First we can use the property as an overflow parking lot and bring people to and from the zoo,” said Sailer.

According to Sailer, the property has been without a real development plan for decades and is classified as “fallow land”. This means that the property is classified as “contaminated” due to its previous use.

The zoo will work with Ohio’s environmental protection agencies to mitigate this derelict status and create its parking lot. According to Sailer, the parking lot is the first step towards expansion.

“We’re really looking to the zoo’s long-term future,” said Sailer. “In the long term, we may be looking for a new zoo entrance and eventually moving our main parking lot from the Anthony Wayne Trail parking lot to this new parking lot.”

Sailer explains that the zoo could then start developing its current main car park in order to create new amenities for guests.

“This was a great opportunity to double the size of the zoo and not think about today, not tomorrow, but 10, 15, 20 years from now.”

Something that Sailer says to the zoo and the surrounding community is important.

“The zoo sees itself as an important part of the south end and we really want to do our part to strengthen and thrive this neighborhood and to help the community in this neighborhood really thrive.”

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