Randall Oaks Zoo

About Randall Oaks Zoo

Randall Oaks Zoo is operated by the Dundee Township Park District and is located at 1180 N. Randall Road in West Dundee, Illinois, about 2.5 miles north of Interstate 90. The zoo sits within Randall Oaks Park, which the park district describes as a 141-acre park with three shelters, six picnic areas, a volleyball court, three playgrounds, a 10-hole disc golf course, and hayrides available by group reservation.

The park district states that the zoo's mission is to connect the community with wildlife and nature, and to create a sense of wonder, discovery, respect and appreciation of the natural world. The zoo does not hold Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation. The zoo's phone number is 847-551-4312.

History

According to the park district, Randall Oaks Zoo opened its gates in 1964. The district marked the zoo's 60th anniversary with a celebration on August 16, 2024, which included animal enrichment activities, zookeeper encounters and anniversary giveaways. A March 2024 Patch article reported that the zoo would open for that year's season on March 23.

The zoo's newest building, World of Wonders, is a small animal building that the park district says allows the zoo to have more animals on exhibit and to operate year-round. According to the district's project page, the 2,200-square-foot building guides guests through grassland, forest and desert biomes, with habitats for small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates, education about conservation and habitat protection, and restrooms. It was funded in part by an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Public Museum Capital Grant. The same page described a new permanent pony ride pavilion built to replace the previous setup.

Exhibits and habitats

The park district describes the zoo as featuring petting and feeding areas. Animals named on its visitor information page include porcupines, raccoons, foxes, emus, camels, ducks and goats. Feed cups are sold for animal feeding experiences.

The park district's zoo page highlights Sherman, a Kenyan sand boa described as one of the zoo's ambassador reptiles, which it says has lived at the zoo for 10 years. Visitors can meet Sherman with the zoo's educators. The zoo offers close encounters that include brushing, petting and feeding opportunities. The district's Funshine Treehouse is listed among the zoo's program pages.

Conservation and programs

The visitor page lists daily feeding times at 11:15 am, 1:15 pm and 3:15 pm, while feed cups last. Its educator-led feeding schedule includes a petting zoo goat feeding at 11:15 am and an animal feeding at 1:15 pm at a varying location. The daily summer schedule listed by the park district includes training demonstrations at the porcupines, raccoons, emu and camel, zookeeper chats at World of Wonders and the foxes, animal enrichment, a duck feeding and an animal walk through the zoo.

The zoo also lists zoo camps, kids and family programs, a traveling animals program, birthday parties, group visits, and an animal sponsorship program. Seasonal events listed on the zoo's page include Fall Festival, Boo at the Zoo, Dinovember and a Wildlife and Wine event, with dates posted on the park district's website.

Zoo memberships are offered and include unlimited admission for 12 months, discounts on gift shop items and snacks, discounted tickets to Brew at the Zoo, and special member coupons.

Planning your visit

As listed on the zoo's website, hours are 10:00 am to 3:00 pm daily from January 2 to March 27, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily from March 28 to November 1, and 10:00 am to 3:00 pm daily from November 2 to December 30. The zoo is listed as closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

General admission is available daily. According to the park district, children ages one and under, U.S. military with ID, and zoo members enter free. Current ticket details are on the zoo's website. Pony rides are listed as operating from March through October, based on availability.