Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens to welcome back boaters, opening new six-slip dock

The Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens will officially open a new six-slip dock on Friday, welcoming boaters back to the facility along the Trout River.

The reopening restores river access to the zoo for the first time since Hurricane Irma forced the closure of the previous dock in 2017.

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The project includes the Largura Family Walkway, a 760-foot path connecting the boat ramp to Land of the Tiger. Visitors arriving along the path enter the zoo near the hornbill habitat.

The walkway features 64 newly planted Florida native trees, including live oak, southern magnolia, bald cypress, red cedar and cabbage palm. The tree installation was funded by the City of Jacksonville Tree Planting Program.

The project was made possible through support from the Largura family and Superior Construction.

“Welcoming boaters back to the Zoo is a milestone nearly a decade in the making,” Nikki Smith, the zoo’s chief philanthropy and marketing officer, said. “We’re grateful to the partners whose generosity and hard work have made this reopening possible.”

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Docking is free for zoo visitors, though arrival by boat does not include free zoo admission. All guests must possess a valid admission ticket to enter.

Upon arrival, boaters must call a phone number posted at the dock so zoo staff can assist with entry and scan tickets.

Dock access will follow zoo operating hours and nighttime docking is not permitted.

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