Start Saving Those Pennies! L.A. Zoo Admission Fees to Jump $2
L.A. zoogoers, prepare to shell out a couple more bucks to see the caged animals. New fees will increase admission prices from $14 to $16 for adults, $11 to $13 for seniors and $9 to $11 for young people, ages 2 to 12. Students, do not fret. When part of a group, you will continue to have free admission.
Why the bump? Officials say the price increase covers ongoing facility operation costs. The $2 admission fee increase does not impact the decision to adopt a private operator. The city is reportedly seeking proposal requests to acquire private operators or partners to help run the zoo.
Some officials oppose the idea of assistance running the 133-acre zoo in Griffith Park. "I'll vote for this, but I don't understand why we don't do this and keep operating the zoo," Councilman Richard Alarcon said, according to The Daily Breeze. "If we are going to increase the rates, we should continue running the zoo."
The city's continuing deficits of over $200 million annually will mean further cuts to the zoo's budget, according to City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana. L.A. zoo's budget is currently $16.7 million, and the facility is expected to receive an additional $13.5 million from the nonprofit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association this year. The new admission fees will bring in an additional $1.8 million in the coming year.
The measure to impose the $2 fee increase must be approved by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and will become effective 30 days after he gives it his stamp of approval.
