Zoos as Economic Drivers

Zoos are so much more than a place to go and look at animals. Besides the benefit of walking through manicured gardens, spending an hour or two outdoors and sharing time with fascinating creatures, zoos can have a profound economic effect on a community.

Let’s take Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for example. I chose this zoo for several reasons: I love zoos and I love Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in particular; and in the interest of full disclosure I am a trustee of Cleveland Zoological Society, the nonprofit advancement partner for the Zoo.

The Clevealnd Zoological  Society is led by Liz Fowler our Exceutive Director ( pictured here on safari). Liz works hand in hand with Steve Taylor the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Director. It is a wonderful partnership that appears seamless to the community and shares a commonn vision of animal conservation and welfare and economic impact for Northeast Ohio.

Nationally, the Cleveland zoo is a leader in its educational outreach programs and conservation science programs, as well as one of the top 10 zoos in the U.S. for attendance. Regionally, it is one of the best civic assets in Northeast Ohio – accessible to all ages and income levels, and open 363 days a year. In my work as a trustee, corporate leaders tell me the Zoo is a highlight of a Cleveland-area recruitment tour for prospective employees, trailing spouses and families.

Now that I’ve come clean – consider these numbers.
The Cleveland Zoo:
- attracts over 1.2 million annual visitors
- boasts 41,000 member households
- delivers $85 million annual economic impact
- employs 250 FTE’s
- operates a $12 million payroll
- attracts 500 active volunteers
- educates 125,000 students annually through Zoo programming
- ranks 3rd in Northeast Ohio’s visited attractions behind Cedar Point and the Cleveland Indians and ahead of Geauga lake, the Cavaliers and Browns, the art museum, natural history museum and the botanical gardens

In addition, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo / Cleveland Zoological Society is viewed as a regional asset, adding positively to the resident’s quality of life and is a source of civic pride.

How and where does your zoo fit into your economic development planning? Where do zoo’s rank against other cultural attractions such as museums, entertainment venues and professional sports team in your area?

Perhaps it is time for you to take a fresh look at your zoo and it's impact on your local economy.

To learn more about the best zoos in the U.S., visit aza.org

To learn more about Cleveland:  ClevelandZooSociety.org