John Ball Zoo is located on the west side of the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. The John Ball Zoo is situated on the ravines and bluffs along the west edge of the property.

Venue: John Ball Zoological Garden
Town: Michigan, US

John Ball Zoo is located on the west side of the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. The John Ball Zoo is situated on the ravines and bluffs along the west edge of the property. The zoo houses more than 2,000 individual animals representing over 200 different species and is a significant regional attraction. With the Zoo School and Wildlife Conservation Fund, the zoo gives something back to the community and world as a whole. The zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and was the first zoo in Michigan to receive accreditation. The original 40 acres (16 ha) was donated to the city by noted pioneer and explorer John Ball upon his death in 1884. Shortly after, another 100 acres (40 ha) was added and this marked the beginning of additional amenities, including ponds, a theater, a band shell, playgrounds, ball fields, trails, and the zoo. City commission records provide the first mention of animals on the property in 1891, when there was a debate about whether city money should be used to purchase more animals to add to the existing wounded and orphaned animals. During the Great Depression, the zoo fell on hard times. Most of the collection was given away to other zoos. The buffalo and deer were butchered to help feed the poor. Only a few aging animals remained. During 1949, Katherine Whinery approached the mayor of Grand Rapids about resurrecting the zoo by forming a zoo society. A deal was made that if a zoo society could be formed, the city would hire a zoo director to run the zoo. Fred Meyer was hired as the first director of the zoo. Construction of the Monkey Island Exhibit, the first major exhibit ever built, was started in 1949 with an opening date of June 1, 1950. During the 1950-1960s, John Ball Zoo was built in the hills of the property. The John Ball Zoo was operated by the City of Grand Rapids until 1989, when it was deemed a regional asset and sold to Kent County. During the 1990s, the zoo expanded with the building