Landscape Full of Changes in White River Gardens

Published Sept. 8, 2021

Big changes are in the landscape at the Zoo and White River Gardens, including a new kind of Caterpillar — the four-wheeled kind!

Construction is under way now for a new entry experience which is scheduled to open spring 2023. The White River Gardens, including the Hulman Riverhouse and the Hilbert Conservatory, will be closed to the public during construction. A portion of the Zoo’s east parking lot is also closed, however there is still plenty of guest parking available in the west lot.

Once the project is complete, the Gardens will become a welcoming focal point for all our visitors, and many of the existing natural features there will be highlighted in new ways. Plus, the new Zoo entrance will be filled with natural wonders and lots of wild surprises!

Additionally, Zoo guests will get to see the Global Center for Species Survival, where scientists are working to support species conservation efforts around the planet.

While White River Gardens is closed, now is the perfect time to discover the lush landscapes throughout the 64 acres — both indoors and outdoors — at the Zoo, which is also an accredited botanical garden.