Hillcrest Park & Zoo
Best of all, the zoo is a great place for the entire family. The Hillcrest Park & Zoo, with more than 140 acres of park land, has lots of playground equipment for children to enjoy, a sunken garden and plenty of picnic areas available.
STAY FOR THE DAY!
Enjoy feeding the water-fowl. Grain is available at park dispensers.
HILLCREST PARK ZOO HISTORY
The following is a brief history of Hillcrest Park Zoo. The Zoo was established in the early 1930's at fourth and Mitchell streets, near downtown Clovis with one bear and one coyote. A few years later, a circus visiting the town went bankrupt and the Zoo was forced to care for their animals, thus adding to the Zoo population. In 1936 the city purchased 115 acres of land (Kentucky Heights addition) in order to relocate the Zoo. The naming of the site was held at a local event (Pioneer Days) and from 115 entries Mr. O. J. Cloppert won a $25 prize for naming the Zoo. The development of the Zoo was largely attributed to cooperation of Clovis citizens with the construction being done with donated materials. City employees working odd times along with prison labor built cages for the animals.
In 1980 a perimeter fence was constructed to discourage vandalism. Old cages were removed and the Zoo as it is today was born. Many of the exhibits were constructed with help from the citizens of Clovis. The Zoo receives most of its financing from the City of Clovis, but has enjoyed donations from citizens and many of the areas civic organizations. One of the supporters is the Clovis Animal Rehabilitative & Educational Services (C.A.R.E.S.). We now house over 150 mammals and over 300 birds. Animal inventory includes such endangered species as the Bengal Tiger, Mexican Lobo's, CommonTamarins, American Alligators and many more. The enclosed area is approximately 23 acres. Our intentions are to continue improving and enhancing existing structures.
Explore Related Categories
