ABOUT US
JOHN BALL ZOO HISTORY
HISTORY
125 Years of Inspiring Our Community To Be Actively Engaged In The Conservation Of Wildlife And Our Natural Environment
125 YEARS: 1891-2016 … and beyond!
In many ways, our history reflects that of most American zoos created in the Victorian era. Before then, only the very rich had access to collections of exotic animals. Cities began to build their own zoos in the late 19th century. For the first time, everyone could share in the mysterious and fascinating world of animals.
Zoos have evolved through the years as we learned more about exotic animal husbandry and exhibit design. Education became a major focus, naturalistic design became a force, and conservation became the mission.
Our story reflects that evolution. Our history is rich with great animals, amazing events, fantastic stories, and dedicated people. Take a few moments to learn more about the history and future of your Zoo.
Many thanks to Andrea Perry and Joan Ryskamp for their assistance on the historical timeline.
The Evolution of John Ball Zoo
During the past 125 years, millions and millions of people have enjoyed the animals, reconnected with nature, and made memories with family and friends. Can you even imagine how many people have taken a happy snap of their kids on the John Ball statue? How many school field trips to the Zoo? How many family reunions? The Zoo is part of West Michigan’s culture and history. We know it’s part of yours.
Come and celebrate with us! Read the stories, see our photo albums, visit the Zoo and join the party!
1884 - Chapter 1: A zoological garden is born.
The Birth of a Zoo
John Ball died and in his will left 40 acres of land for public use to City of Grand Rapids. This gift led to the birth of a zoo, John Ball Zoo.
1891
The First Animals
This is the year we begin to see references to animals being kept at “Ball 40”. As recorded in a local newspaper, the small menagerie included bird cages with half a dozen owls of various kinds, two hawks, a crow, and an eagle. There were also raccoons, a woodchuck, fox squirrels and rabbits. Two deer were added later in November of 1891. This was recorded in the minutes of a meeting of the Common Council. Two aldermen volunteered money from their salaries to purchase a pair of deer. The buck and doe, were specifically purchased to provide the beginning of a herd to populate a deer park area on the hillside.
1903
The Park Day Tradition
Park Day was a city tradition. Workers would get a half day off and all the city parks would open on the same day. Throngs of citizens would arrive to enjoy band concerts, speeches, and stroll the grounds
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1910 - Chapter 2: Changing worlds; Wars and the Great Depression.
Park Pavillion Dedication
John Ball Park Pavilion dedicated. The new park pavilion was built on an area where the park’s conservatory and greenhouses had previously stood. The building currently houses the Zoo’s administrative offices and GRPS Zoo School.
1925
John Ball statue
John Ball statue installed and dedicated.
1949 - Chapter 3: First Zoo director and Zoo expands.
The Formation of the Zoo Society
Katherine Whinery and other citizens pressure City to rebuild Zoo with help from the public. Kay was instrumental in the formation of the Zoo Society. First community meeting to form Zoo Society was held. Kay was on the first board and stayed on the board until her death in 1998.
1949
The first Zoo Director
Fred Meyer was hired to be first Zoo Director and Fred See was hired as Director of City Parks. The two of them rebuilt and enlarged the Zoo throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s.
1959
Fred Meyer honored, Polar Bears and Sea Lion arrive
Fred Meyer honored by AAZPA (now AZA)
Michigan Exhibits (Upper run) constructed.
Polar bears arrive.
Bison Exhibit constructed.
Sea Lion/Nutria arrive.
1965
Zoella, The First Elephant
Zoella, the one and only elephant, arrives at the Zoo.
1979
Adventure World opens
A Zoo Master Plan is created by the City and the Zoo Society
Society names Sandy Gibbs their first female president.
Adventure World opens. The lead donor was the LV Eberhard who had been the lead donor for the original children’s Zoo.
A Rose Garden planted on roof of Special Exhibits building (now Tropics).
1980 - Chapter 5: A master plan and new ownership.
first million dollar donation
Zoo Society kicks off fund drive for first phase of the Master Plan. The first phase would totally renovate the central core of the Zoo by 1985.
LV Eberhard gives first million dollar donation ever to Zoo.
Children’s Zoo Barnyard (expanded children’s zoo area).
1982
Phase I of Zoo Master Plan
The first four renovated exhibits in Phase I of Zoo Master Plan open:
Otter Exhibit (totally replaced old sea lion exhibit)
Prairie Dog/Coyote (replaced elephant exhibit)
Puma/Snow Leopard Exhibit (totally replaced Michigan upper run exhibits)
Monkey Island Winter Quarters and rework of island
Ramu, the lion, gets a root canal.
1985
Zoo Society establishes the John Ball Zoo Society Wildlife Conservation Fund
South American Exhibit opens at Zoo completing Phase I of Zoo Master Plan. Steve Van Andel chaired this campaign.
With assistance from John Boyles and Mr. Fables restaurants, Zoo Society establishes the John Ball Zoo Society Wildlife Conservation Fund.
This was also a year of tragedy for the Zoo. Gayle Booth, a young dedicated zoo keeper, was killed by the Zoo’s male jaguar. This was a terrible loss to Gayle’s family, friends, and all of us at the Zoo. Safety became the most important priority in building future exhibits as it was shown that a flaw in the exhibit design allowed the cat to gain access to the keeper portion of the building.
1990 - Chapter 6: The Zoo growing wild.
RendeZoo
1st RendeZoo held.
1995
Van Andel Living Shores Aquarium & Meijer Eagle exhibit
Van Andel Living Shores Aquarium, Meijer Eagle exhibit, and new plaza concessions opens. (Replaced old aquarium, conservatory, concessions, plaza, raccoon exhibit).
2000
AZA Conservation award
Grand Rabbits Promotion.
Zoo receives AZA Conservation award for work with Wyoming Toads.
2001 - Chapter 7: Experiencing the future.
Fred Meijer’s pledge for a new wildlife park
Peter and Pat Cook Mokomboso Valley Chimpanzee Exhibit opens.
The Master Plan was reviewed and revised in 2000-2001 and was approved by the County Commission in December.
A local philanthropist, Fred Meijer, offered the Zoo 150 acres of land and a monetary pledge for a new wildlife park. This was explored and a vote of the citizens of Kent County in August of 2004 determined that the majority of the voters wanted the Zoo to continue to grow at its present location.
2004
Year of the Dragon
Komodo Dragon Exhibit opens in the “Year of the Dragon” as a trail behind the aquarium for “dragons”. The Komodo Dragon received from National Zoo was one of the dragons born in first clutch hatched in USA.
New Vision for John Ball Zoo presented to Commission and approved.
Far Side Trail opens with walk through wallabies and budgies.
2008
BISSELL Lions of Lake Manyara
BISSELL Lions of Lake Manyara opens.
2012
Zoo activities and bissell tree house
Zoo opens the new gift shop, Idema Funicular and Forest Realm, Bissell Tree House, and Central Services Building.
2014
Breaking Attendance Records!
Contract signed that transfers governance and operation of the Zoo to a non-profit entity.
Zoo Society changes its charter and name to John Ball Zoo.
County retains ownership of the Zoo’s property and continues to support the Zoo through a management fee.
Zoo opens the Crawford Tigers of the Realm and Forest Habitat, donated by Bill and Marilyn Crawford.
Zoo breaks all attendance records with 523,000 visitors.
Precious, the Zoo’s Komodo Dragon, passes away.
2015
Wildlife Conservation Fund celebrates 30 years
Crawford Tigers of the Realm-River Habitat opens.
John Ball Zoo Wildlife Conservation Fund celebrates 30 years of providing grants to wildlife conservation projects around the world.
The Zoo receives the AZA Quarter Century Award for 25 years on continuous accreditation.
