Mesker Par Zoo & Botanic Garden is announcing the launch of a Zoo Community Membership Program.
Evansville’s Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden in partnership with the Evansville Zoological Society are proud to announce the launch of the Zoo’s
Community Membership Program, which offers a membership discount for families participating in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). The launch of the initiative is funded by the Covid-19 Crisis Response Fund of the Greater Evansville
and the Indiana United Ways, with funding provided by Lily Endowment, Inc.
“Providing Zoo accessibility to everyone is an important role to achieving our mission of connecting people to our natural world. We’ve wanted to provide a program like this for some time, and we’re excited its finally happening,” said Erik Beck, Mesker Park Zoo Director.
The program will offer a deeply discounted family membership ($65 current rate) for $5 annually to households who are enrolled in the federal SNAP program. The Community Membership Program provides a family membership for $5 annually to two named adults, plus children under 18 (members must be at same household), and can be purchased in person at the Zoo’s Membership Gate beginning Thursday, May 13th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, daily.
“We are also reaching out to community organizations to host enrollment dates at their location,” said Jennifer Evans, the Zoo’s Development Director. Eligibility requires a valid SNAP card and photo ID at the time of purchase. The purchaser must be one of the named adults on the membership. The initial rollout for the program will be available to residents of Gibson, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick counties.
Mesker Park Zoo membership benefits include:
Free general admission for one full year
Free admission to special events during regular zoo hours
Free tram rides for one full year
Discounted admission to Boo at the Zoo and Breakfast with Santa events
Zoo Member Only “Member Appreciation Event”
Free subscription to e-newsletter and Zoo Lovers Online magazine
Discounts for Birthday Parties
Priority registration and discounts for Zoo Camp
Discounts or Free Admission to over 172 zoos and aquariums