The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is ready to welcome guests with a new entrance fit for the animal kingdom – a stunning gateway to the wild featuring improved accessibility, beautiful natural landscaping, and a streamlined admission process.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony, which took place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, was a precursor to guests being able to access the new plaza on Friday, April 24, 2026. Admissions operations at the new gates is slated to begin at the end of the month.

The revitalized entrance is the initial project of phase one of the Zoo’s 20-year master plan, which reimagines the entire Highland Park campus. With new green spaces and restrooms, the entrance area provides a more welcoming and efficient arrival portal. “The modern redesign ensures that the first impression of the Zoo reflects the innovation, care, and commitment to the future of conservation extended throughout the entire park,” says President & CEO Dr. Jeremy Goodman. “By my calculations, over 25 million people passed through the old admission gates. This new entrance is poised to welcome the next 25 million!”

City of Pittsburgh Chief Operating Officer Sharon Werner, representing Mayor Corey O’Connor, said “This Zoo is exactly what the Mayor is talking about when he says he wants to make Pittsburgh every family’s first choice. It is truly a treasure of our city…and Mayor O’Connor is just thrilled that we now have an entrance like this that is befitting of this city institution.”

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said, “This is an investment not just for right now – generations will experience that what makes it so special! This Zoo is a place where families come together, learn about the natural world, sometimes for the first time, and where conservation and education really  come to life. This new entrance enhances that experience from the very first step.”

The Allegheny Regional Asset District supported several projects at the enhanced entrance, including: weapon screening system and security enhancements; an access control system at the gates and throughout the Zoo; an emergency generator for the front gates, elevators, and escalators; and perimeter fencing that will be tied into the welcome plaza. The Zoo’s design and construction partners on the project were LGA Partners, Sigal Development, Innovative Building Solutions, Gecko Group, and Temper & Grit.

The landscaping contains a variety of native Pennsylvania species that are sustainable and tolerant of Pittsburgh’s harsh winter winters, summer heat, and periods of drought. The plaza also features a wind tree sculpture that generates renewable green energy as it collects both wind and sun.

The Zoo is Pittsburgh’s most attended cultural attraction: nearly 830,000 guests passed through the gates and explored its wildlife wonders in 2025.

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium gratefully acknowledges the generosity of our donors who support the future of conservation and made this project possible: the Henry L. Hillman Foundation, Allegheny County Regional Asset District (RAD), Colcom Foundation, and The Charity Randall Foundation. Plan your next visit to the Zoo here.