Community Access Program
The Philadelphia Zoo’s Community Access program aspires to increase accessibility to the Zoo directly to our immediate neighbors, families, schools and mission-aligned organizations.
To increase access to the Zoo’s 42 acres of gardens and 1,900 amazing animals we decrease the barrier of admission in the simplest way possible: by eliminating it. We are eager to offer the Zoo as a joyful destination that is a safe asset to our nearest neighbors by providing free access for at least 60,000 visitors annually. Through engagement with our staff, animals, and experiences during these visits, the Zoo encourages and empowers our guests to protect wildlife and the environment we share.
If you are a Neighbor to the Zoo either by way of residency, school enrollment, or participant in a conservation, animal welfare or other mission-aligned project in our nearby neighborhood we welcome and encourage you to consider the Zoo as an extension of your home and classroom. Please review the following options available to people and programs in the following zip codes: 19104, 19131, 19139, 19143, 19151.
Title I School Field Trips
The Zoo’s Community Access Program (CAP) provides free admission to students in kindergarten through 12th grade from Title I public and charter schools (with 40% or more of the students receiving free or reduced-priced lunches). Applications for the Fall 2024 CAP Season have closed. Applications for the Spring 2025 CAP Season will go live around late January.
Apply NowFree 1 Day Zoo Passes
Local residents, neighborhood schools, and mission-aligned organizations can click the button below to request free visits to the Philadelphia Zoo.
Important note: This form is for small class visits to the Zoo for Neighborhood Schools; for larger free field trips for Philadelphia Title 1 Schools, please see the above option and separate form.
Neighborhood Membership
To increase continuous access to the Zoo and offer our space as a resource to local residents, we offer 1,000 free Family Plus Memberships to local families. Membership information has been shared exclusively with nearby schools and neighborhood organizations to offer to their community members and residents. Contact one of our partners below for more information:
• Mantua Civic Association
• East Parkside Residents Association
• Centennial Parkside CDC
• Parkside Association
• Viola Street Residents Association
• Morton McMichael Elementary School
• School of the Future
Community Night
Fall Community Night is scheduled for Wednesday, December 4, 2024! Invitations to attend are shared directly with our Neighborhood partners and residents 3 weeks prior to the event. You can also access tickets provided at various community events and neighborhood meetings leading up to the event! You can also access tickets provided at various community events and neighborhood meetings leading up to the event! You can find a member of our team ready to register you for tickets at the events below:
• East Parkside Residents Association Monthly Meeting; November 11; 5:30-7:30pm
• Drexel University’s Dornsife Centers Community Dinner; November 12; 6:00pm-7:30pm
• Philadelphia Zoo’s Animal Tales program at the Durham Library; November 14; 3:30-4:30pm
• Mantua Civic Association Monthly Meeting; November 21; 6:00-7:30pm
Thank you to our sponsors!
Each year, with the financial partnership of individuals, corporations, and foundations, the Zoo is able to offer the Community Access Program which provides free visits and fun, engaging, and relevant learning opportunities to more than 60,000 community members annually. We could not offer these experiences without the very generous support of the following people and organizations:
- Dee Hillas
- Estate of Edna Thomas
- Independence Foundation