Happy Hollow Park & Zoo Status Report
Neighborhood Services and Education Committee
June 12, 2025
Avi Yotam, Deputy Director
Shannon Heimer, Division Manager
Kiersten McCormick, Parks Manager
1 Happy Hollow
Overview • 9 amusement park rides
and 9 play areas • 2nd oldest outdoor puppet
theater in California • Food & beverage service
focused on sustainable
practices 2 2
Happy Hollow
Overview
• Accredited Zoo with 109
animals of 50 species
• Zoo-themed camps,
classes and assemblies
• Conservation programs
3 Attendance and Membership
4 488,067
308,133
74,884
311,404
385,880 421,991
0 100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
FY 18-
19 FY 19-
20*
FY 20-
21*
FY 21-
22 FY 22-
23 FY 23-
24 HHPZ Historical Attendance
32,641
18,239
0 20,092 20,331 24,228
0 10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
FY 18-
19 FY 19-
20*
FY 20-
21*
FY 21-
22 FY 22-
23 FY 23-
24 HHPZ Historical Membership
* HHPZ closed mid-March 2020 due to the COVID-19
pandemic and fully reopened mid-July 2021.
Access for All
Program
5 674
3,115
4,403 5,204
12,891
18,408
0 5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
FY 22-23 FY 23-24 FY 24-25*
Access for All Applications and Tickets
Applications Received Tickets Sold
* FY 24-25 applications received and tickets sold are through April 30, 2025.
Revenue & Expenses
Steady Expense Increases
• Rising costs of goods/services,
labor, • Aging infrastructure
Budget Priorities: • Animal welfare
• Staff/guest safety and welfare
6 0
3,000,000
6,000,000
9,000,000
12,000,000
15,000,000
FY 18-19 FY 19-20*FY 20-21* FY 21-22 FY 22-23 FY 23-24
HHPZ Expenses
Personal Services Non-Personal/Equipment
0 2,000,000
4,000,000
6,000,000
8,000,000
10,000,000
FY 18-19 FY 19-20*FY 20-21* FY 21-22 FY 22-23 FY 23-24
HHPZ Revenue
Target Revenue
* HHPZ closed mid-March 2020 due to the COVID-19
pandemic and fully reopened mid-July 2021.
Challenges • Employing business and
economic strategies • Mature Animal
Population • Aging Infrastructure 7
Strategies
• Enhanced Visitor Experience
• Community Engagement
• Association of Zoos &
Aquariums Accreditation
8 Strategies
• Happy Hollow Foundation
Partnership
• Promotions and Marketing
9 Happy Hollow Park & Zoo Status Report
Neighborhood Services and Education Committee
June 12, 2025
Avi Yotam, Deputy Director
Shannon Heimer, Division Manager
Kiersten McCormick, Parks Manager
10