Applegate Park Zoo

History

Applegate Park is the oldest park in Merced, purchased in part with a bequest by Lewis H. Applegate for the citizens and visitors of Merced in the 1920's. Birds and other animals were donated to the City over the years and cages were built in the park to house them. By 1960, the Recreation and Parks Commission and the City of Merced saw the need to construct better facilities for the welfare of the animals. Applegate Park Zoo was constructed at its current location in 1961-62, providing new and improved accommodations for the ever-expanding collection of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Applegate Park Zoo has been home to many wild animals which, due to injuries or other conditions, could not be released to the wild or were surplus animals from other zoos. A regional theme has been adopted by the zoo, focusing on native species of animals and plants of the Central San Joaquin Valley and the nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Specialties

The Merced Applegate Park Zoo is a non-profit organization that provides a safe home for our rescued animals including our bears, monkeys, coyote, emus, deer, goats, various types of birds and more. Our zoo is great for all ages. There are many things to do such as: Taking a behind the scenes tours in which our guests can feed some of animals (including a guest favorite bears), the ability to feed our goats and a wonderful gift shop. We are always looking for a tax deductible donations, volunteers and any feedback our visitors have. Let's make this zoo better each year!