Information
Landmark: Lords Park ZooCity: Elgin
Country: USA Illinois
Continent: North America
Lords Park Zoo, Elgin, USA Illinois, North America
Overview
Lords Park Zoo sits at 325 Hiawatha Drive in Elgin, Illinois, tucked inside the 108-acre Lords Park on the city’s east side-a small, historic animal exhibit where you might hear the soft bleat of a goat as you pass.Founded in 1895, the zoo carries the legacy of America’s early zoological parks, places where families once strolled past roaring lions and learned about far-off landscapes.Though smaller than today’s sprawling city zoos, it’s a peaceful, easy-to-reach spot where you can watch North American wildlife and, in the fall, hear the soft bleats of visiting farm animals.You can walk into the zoo for free, which makes it a favorite for families, school groups, and anyone looking to wander past the lions on a sunny afternoon.Back in 1893, George and Mary Lords gave the City of Elgin a generous gift-Lords Park, with its rolling lawns and oak trees.Back in 1895, the zoo welcomed its very first residents-two black bears called Jack and Juno, their dark fur shining in the morning sun.In the early 1900s, the zoo grew to house bears, elk and deer, coyotes, foxes, monkeys, raccoons, a wildcat, peacocks, and bald eagles.Families flocked there for years, filling the paths with laughter and the smell of popcorn drifting through the air.In 1964, the zoo welcomed Lord Spark, a playful lion cub whose curious amber eyes made him the star attraction for a short time.Because space was tight, he was moved to Brookfield Zoo, where he took on the role of breeding male and went on to father 19 cubs, each born with a soft rust-colored coat.These days, the zoo no longer keeps exotic species; it’s shifted to native Midwestern wildlife and seasonal farm animals, in step with modern care and conservation standards-think foxes in winter and goats in summer.Current Animal Exhibits 🦬 Bison Enclosure - All year long, visitors come to see the zoo’s proud herd of American bison, their dark coats rippling in the wind.You can spot these iconic animals any time of year, roaming a roomy enclosure shaded by tall, rustling trees.Right now, the bison herd includes Takoda, a young male born in 2021, and Buffy, a seasoned female who’s been here for years.On “Meet the Bison” days, naturalists share the animals’ story-how they live, where they came from, and why their survival matters-while the scent of fresh hay drifts through the pen.Families love these events, and schools turn out in droves-kids clutching bright paper programs as they wait for the fun to start.🦌 Deer and Elk White-tailed Deer: The zoo welcomed four new deer in 2024 from Elkhorn Creek Whitetails.In 2024, the zoo welcomed four white-tailed deer from Elkhorn Creek Whitetails, their coats the warm brown of autumn leaves.Ruby and Amber, both female, have called the zoo home for years, often seen basking in the morning sun.A small herd of elk roams together inside the same enclosure, their breath hanging in the cool morning air.The animals tend to keep their distance, yet you can spot them from several points along the trail-sometimes a flick of an ear in the tall grass gives them away.The Farm Zoo, a seasonal exhibit, opens only for summer-from June 1 to August 11-and welcomes visitors Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and weekends from noon to 4 p.m., where you can meet friendly goats, sheep, and other farm animals from nearby farms.You might see pigs, sheep, calves, turkeys, donkeys, ponies, and chickens-maybe a hen scratching in the dirt-but remember, this isn’t a petting zoo.You’re welcome to watch the animals, but don’t touch them or offer food-even a single peanut.At the Farm Zoo, kids get to meet the animals you’d find on a Midwestern farm-think soft-eared goats or clucking hens-while volunteers and staff share quick, informative talks and post signs that explain each creature’s story.The zoo works hand in hand with the Elgin Public Museum, just a short walk away in Lords Park where the scent of fresh grass drifts through the air.Programs often feature animal ecology talks, guided walks through sunlit trails, “Meet the Bison” Saturdays, school field trips, and summer nature camps.Each one sparks curiosity while teaching environmental stewardship, protecting native species, and encouraging hands-on discovery.Surrounding attractions in Lords Park 🌳 include the Elgin Public Museum, founded in 1920 and still the only natural history museum in the Fox Valley, where you might spot a gleaming glass case of local fossils.At Lords Park, you can explore exhibits on Native American culture, Ice Age mammals, and Fox River watershed ecology, plus see taxidermy of Midwestern wildlife at the museum.In summer, the Aquatic Center offers water slides, a zero-depth entry pool, lap lanes, and a splash area for kids.The park’s recreation spaces include walking and biking trails, two rentable picnic shelters, a historic pavilion, a large duck pond, basketball and tennis courts, and a playground.Admission and parking are always free, with paved paths that welcome wheelchairs and strollers.Bring your own snacks-there are no concessions-and you’ll find restrooms near the zoo and museum.For lively animal sightings, visit on spring or summer mornings or late afternoons.The Elgin Parks and Recreation Department, along with local groups, keeps the zoo thriving.Donations, sponsorships, and volunteer hours keep the lights on, repair the worn benches, and make sure programs get the funding they need.At Lords Park Zoo, you’ll find Elgin’s history woven together with Midwestern wildlife-a bison’s slow breath on a cool morning-and hands-on programs that bring neighbors closer to nature.
