What:
The community is invited to one of two community open houses to help plan the overall zoo transportation and traffic management strategy. The zoo’s parking garage won’t open until 2008, but we need input now. Visit with zoo staff, City staff, and transportation consultants to explore the options and provide us with valuable input.

The zoo’s Long-Range Physical Development Plan, passed by the Seattle City Council last fall, provided for a new parking garage on the west side of the zoo off Phinney Avenue. But the garage is just one element of an overall approach to transportation and management at the zoo.

When:
Wednesday, April 20, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 21, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Where:
Woodland Park Zoo’s Education Center at the South Gate at N. 50th St. & Fremont Ave. N. Enter through the side door located directly off the zoo’s South Gate parking lot.

Parking:
You may park free of charge in the south lot located at N. 50th St. & Fremont Ave. N.

Info:
Residential Parking Zones (RPZs) can help regulate parking by zoo visitors, employees, and volunteers in the surrounding neighborhoods, as well as anyone else who might park around the zoo during the day. While the new garage will provide much-needed parking capacity, an RPZ could help nudge cars out of the neighborhood and onto zoo grounds. An RPZ requires a 60% majority vote of residents in participating neighborhoods (minimum three square blocks), and can include a combination of permit only and time-restricted parking. Residential parking permits are required.

Transportation Demand Management (TDM) is another strategy to control traffic and parking. TDM includes everything from increased public information on transportation options to incentives for taking alternative transportation modes to the zoo for both employees and visitors. The zoo, City of Seattle Department of Transportation, King County Metro, and Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation are discussing a number of TDM strategies that could work both before and after construction of the new parking garage.

Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. With conservation, education and excellent animal care at the core of the zoo’s mission, the zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.