Woodland Park Zoo is inviting Seattle residents to review and comment on its 2026 Draft Annual Plan through midnight on Dec. 31. The plan outlines major initiatives, pricing changes, and infrastructure improvements for the coming year before submission to the Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation.
Key highlights
Admission price changes
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, admission prices will increase under a flexible pricing structure. Weekday admission during non-peak season will start at $22.95 for adults and $14.95 for children, while peak weekend and holiday admission will reach $37.50 for adults and $24.75 for children. Children two and under remain free.
Infrastructure and neighborhood improvements
The zoo has budgeted approximately $2.68 million for major maintenance and infrastructure projects, including power upgrades at the Zoo Doo yard, trail electrification, and stormwater mitigation design in the Bear parking lot. Sustainability initiatives include installing EV charging stations, expanding fleet electrification, and adding rooftop solar on the new Forest Trailhead exhibit.
As part of its management of neighboring parks, the zoo will continue caring for newly planted copper beeches, rejuvenate dogwood trees, remove a large invasive holly tree in West Woodland Park, and replace a hazardous volunteer pine tree along Phinney Avenue N.
How to comment
The Draft Annual Plan is available at www.zoo.org/reports. Submit comments to zooinfo@zoo.org with “Annual Plan” in the subject line or mail to: Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103, Attention: “Annual Plan Comments.”
One response to “Zoo’s 2026 plan includes price increases, neighborhood park tree removal”
The planned admission price increases are shocking. Shouldn’t the zoo be accessible for everybody? Shouldn’t it be for more than tourists & the well-to-do?