 About the Zoo
Binghamton Zoo at
Ross Park sits tucked into the northern face of Binghamton's South
Mountain. The zoo officially opened in 1875, and it is the fifth oldest
zoological institution in the country behind such communities as
Philadelphia, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Buffalo.
History of Ross Park |
Ross Park Gardens
Binghamton Zoo Senior Staff Members
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Executive Director -
Mike Janis
Assistant Director/General Curator -
Sheila Green
Business Manager - Amanda Padwa
Property Manager - Wayne Martin
Education Curator - Erin Rackovan
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Southern Tier Zoological Society
Board of Directors
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PRESIDENT
Alesia Hurban,
Corporate Care Management, Inc.
VICE PRESIDENT
Ronald L. Greene,
Hinman, Howard, & Kattell, LLP
TREASURER
Peter Newman,
M&T Bank
SECRETARY
Brian DeBoyace,
Visions Federal Credit Union
CITY REPRESENTATIVE
Joel Boyd,
Office of Economic Development
County Representative
Sue Buchta
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DIRECTORS
Christopher Kuzel
Joanne Aloi
Clear Channel
Jeff O’Brien
Bothar Construction, LLC
CJ Bowe
Southern Tier Home Builders & Remodelers
Association
Joyce Ferrario
Binghamton University, Decker School of
Nursing
Lenora LaMonica
Rosanne Sall Ad Agency
Agnes Hartigan (2008-2009
Docent Representative)
Retired School Teacher |
 History of Ross Park
The 90 acre plot was donated to the city of
Binghamton by a wealthy businessman, Erastus Ross, who stipulated that the
land was to be used as a park for all of the community to enjoy. The first
electric-run trolleys in Binghamton were in 1887, and a line running up
Park Avenue by way of the old Washington Street Bridge created easy access
to the park. A roller coaster, swings, and a variety of other amusements
helped Ross Park to flourish into a busy and popular recreational area.
The stone pillars were erected in 1896 and welcomed visitors as they
arrived by carriage or trolley. In 1919 Ross Park saw the arrival of a
bear exhibit, and the park's carousel.
 The increased use of the automobile allowed
people to travel out of the Binghamton area for recreation, decreasing the
number of visitors to the park. The loss of this support caused the zoo to
slowly deteriorate. The two World Wars and the Great Depression helped to
continue the decline of Ross Park Zoo until the USDA (Dept. of
Agriculture) threatened the zoo with closure due to substandard facilities
and care.
In 1966, concerned community residents formed the
Southern Tier Zoological Society, and for the first time in 1972, an
appropriation for zoo maintenance appeared in the City of Binghamton's
budget. The Society was granted a contract by the City to oversee the
operation and maintenance of the zoo in 1977, and has assumed additional
responsibilities ever since. Today, the City of Binghamton provides non-cash
services (water, sewer, gasoline, etc.), Broome County provides additional
funding as a contract agency. The Zoo Society provides approximately 73%
of the operating support, and 100% of the capital improvement support.
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