Applegate Park Zoo
Merced, CA
- Admission
- $4
- Accreditation
- None listed
not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Everything below is directory information drawn from public sources and the zoo's own site.
Animals at Applegate Park Zoo
We haven't confirmed this zoo's animal list yet.
Feathers & Fangs from visitors
What people who've been to Applegate Park Zoo say
A Feather is something this zoo does well; a Fang is something it gets wrong. Left by people who've been, and read by us before they appear.
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About Applegate Park Zoo
The Merced Applegate Zoo, also called Applegate Park Zoo, is run by the City of Merced Parks and Community Services department and is located at 1045 W. 25th Street in Merced, California. The city's zoo page says it has been home to wild animals since 1962 and now holds approximately 75 mammals, birds and reptiles, many of them California native species that came from wildlife rescue centers.
Professional zookeepers provide daily care and management of the animals, according to the city. The zoo sits next to Kiddieland, a children's amusement park operated by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Merced, according to UC Merced News.
History
The zoo was established in 1962. It closed on January 1, 2026 for remodeling and reopened on Friday, July 24, 2026 with a grand reopening celebration, according to the city's zoo page and UC Merced News. UC Merced News reported that the city put American Rescue Plan Act funds toward the project, which enlarged the black bear habitat to three times its previous size, added a waterfall and plunge pool, upgraded walkways and updated the gift shop.
Chris Jensen, the city's director of Parks and Community Services, told UC Merced News that the process began to better serve the community and the rescued animals at the zoo.
Exhibits and habitats
Black bears are the zoo's marquee exhibit, according to UC Merced News. The two bears are Waterfall, who zookeeper Josh Moreno said was raised in captivity as someone's pet, and Missy, who was found underweight by state officials when she was a year old.
The remodeled bobcat habitat was paid for in part by UC Merced, whose campus mascot is the bobcat. Two bobcat kittens, Bobbie and Boomer, rescued from San Diego County in 2026, joined the resident bobcat Rufus in the exhibit. UC Merced also pledged a contribution toward the zoo's next project, a new tortoise exhibit.
The city's zoo page describes the rest of the collection as mammals, birds and reptiles with an emphasis on California native species.
Conservation and programs
The city says many of the zoo's animals came from wildlife rescue centers. The zoo has a volunteer program open to people 16 and older, with an orientation held on the second Thursday of each month at 3:30 p.m.
Planning your visit
As listed on the city's website, the zoo is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed Monday through Wednesday and on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is free for children under 2, with separate rates for ages 3 to 13, ages 14 to 59, and ages 60 and over listed on the city's website.
The posted rules prohibit pets, bicycles, roller blades, skateboards, smoking and vaping, and loud music, and visitors may not feed the animals any non-designated food. The city's contact number for the zoo is (209) 388-7000.
What we haven't confirmed
Everything above came from public sources. These specifics we haven't stood behind yet:
- Full species list
- Parking
- Accessibility
Applegate Park Zoo compared with nearby zoos
How Applegate Park Zoo lines up against other zoos in the same state. We don't have coordinates for it yet, so these aren't ranked by distance.
| Zoo | Admission | Hours | Size | AZA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applegate Park ZooThis zooMerced, CA | $4 | Thu–Sun 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; closed Mon–Wed. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day. | — | No |
| Avian Behavior ConservancyEscondido, CA | — | Open by appointment only; no walk-ins. Visits are booked bird experiences (owl, falconry/raptor, parrot, family-friendly and specialty programs). | — | No |
| B Bryan PreservePoint Arena, CA | $25 | Open by reservation only, two tour times per day: 10:00 AM (Self-Guided Car Safari, 60 min, or Private Tour, 90 min) and 3:30 PM (Guided Land Rover Safari, 75 min). Giraffe Painting 1:30 PM on the first Saturday of each month. No drop-in visits. | — | No |
| Big Bear Alpine ZooBig Bear Lake, CA | $17 | 10am – 5pm | — | No |
Distances are straight-line. A dash means we haven't confirmed that detail yet, not that the zoo lacks it.
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Applegate Park Zoo: common questions
Where is the Merced Applegate Zoo?
At 1045 W. 25th Street, Merced, California 95340.
Is the zoo open after its remodel?
Yes. The zoo closed on January 1, 2026 for remodeling and reopened on July 24, 2026, according to UC Merced News.
When is it open?
The city lists Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday and on major holidays.
Who runs the zoo?
The City of Merced Parks and Community Services department.
What animals are there?
About 75 mammals, birds and reptiles, many of them California natives. UC Merced News names black bears and bobcats among them.
Can people volunteer?
Yes. Volunteers must be 16 or older, and orientation is held on the second Thursday of each month at 3:30 p.m.
Something wrong here? Tell us — we correct in place, with a dated note.