Cosley Zoo in Wheaton is marking a big birthday this year—the zoo turns 50 years old on August 17, 2024! Let's look back on the history of this suburban favorite!
The pants were patterned, the sunglasses were big and the weather was a perfectly pleasant 80 degrees when the ribbon was cut to officially open Wheaton’s Cosley Zoo on Aug. 17, 1974. On that sunny Saturday, what was then known as Cosley Animal Farm and Museum opened with a modest selection of domestic animals for area residents to visit.
 Photo Credit: Cosley Zoo, Wheaton Park District |
Fast-forward 50 years to 2024, and Cosley Zoo—the zoo’s official name since 1999—now is home to more than 200 animals from across Illinois and North America. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), placing it in the top 10% of zoos and aquariums nationwide. And each year, the zoo welcomes more than 150,000 visitors from all across the nation.
One thing that hasn’t changed: the zoo’s commitment to inspiring lifelong interest in the natural world—and supporting this goal by offering free admission daily to all children ages 0-17.
“We know that children who are connected to nature at a very young age grow up to be people who care about the environment and do things to improve it and take care of it,” says Susan Wahlgren, Cosley Zoo’s executive director. “It’s extremely important to create that connection at a young age.”
 Photo Credit: Cosley Zoo, Wheaton Park District |
Kid visitors to Cosley Zoo today can discover and interact with a much wider variety of species than young guests in 1974 could (though the zoo’s furry and feathered barnyard residents, including goats, cows and a Norwegian fjord horse, remain a big hit). As of 2022, Cosley Zoo is also home to a pair of Canada lynx sisters, Sage and Poppy. There are also llamas, four-toed salamanders, a great horned owl, hedgehogs, North American porcupines Mabel and Sable, and lots more.
 Photo Credit: Cosley Zoo, Wheaton Park District |
Ready to Celebrate with Cosley Zoo?
On Saturday, Aug. 17, visitors from near and far are invited to Cosley Zoo’s 50th anniversary celebration from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with special refreshments, a scavenger hunt, craft stations, and more!
The day’s events will include:
9-9:30A: History Chats at Historical Panel Display
10-10:30A: Duck Feeding (small fee)
11:30-11:45A: Chicken Feeding (small fee)
10:45A, 1P, and 2P: Animal Encounters in Amphitheater
11A – Noon: AAZK Activity Table & Raffle
11A – 1P: Junior Zookeeper Crafts
1-2P: Cupcakes & Refreshments
The first 100 families will receive a swag bag!
You can actively join in the celebration by sharing photos of yourself and your family at Cosley Zoo for our special photo project.
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Got Your Own Upcoming Birthday Party to Plan?
You’ve done the indoor play places, with the tickets and tokens and special socks. You’ve done the backyard (with all of the cleanup that entails). If you’re ready to host a birthday party or other special event with minimal prep, maximum fun and even—yes—actual encounters with nature, check out Wheaton’s Cosley Zoo, which offers outdoor and indoor spaces available for rent year-round for birthday parties and other special events.
Through the end of September, the Duck Pond Pavilion, a covered outdoor space located next to the zoo’s 66,000-gallon duck pond, may be booked for events of up to 50 people ($370 for two hours, $125 per hour for each additional hour). For an additional fee, a Cosley Zoo team member can host an Animal Encounter, offering the chance to meet three of Cosley Zoo’s animal residents (such as a hedgehog, turtle or rabbit) up close.
Whatever the weather, the Kiebler Room—available year-round ($575 for two hours, $175 per hour for each additional hour)—is a climate-controlled, second-floor space with a capacity of up to 100. As with the Duck Pond Pavilion, Animal Encounters can be booked for an additional fee.
Planning a larger event? Evening rentals of the entire zoo are available between April and October. A whole-zoo rental gives hosts use of the front lawn, the outdoor amphitheater and the Kiebler Room for up to six hours for as many as 500 guests. Strolling visits with three of the zoo’s animals may be booked, as well. Whole-zoo rental fees are $2,395 Sunday-Thursday; $2,795 Friday-Saturday (all prices subject to change).
Cosley Zoo is open 362 days a year and daily this summer from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cosley Zoo is a facility of the Wheaton Park District and is AZA-accredited.
 Photo Credit: Cosley Zoo, Wheaton Park District |
