CALLING ON SOME FRIENDS. Irvine Park Zoo is aiming to host 40 vendors on its grounds for a large public fundraiser event on July 25.

For more than 100 years, Irvine Park Zoo in Chippewa Falls has been a valued community attraction for residents and out-of-town visitors alike. Beginning as a bear pen in 1909, the publicly-owned park has expanded over the past century to include a wide variety of animals for visitors to enjoy. It is estimated by the parks department that over 200,000 people visit the zoo each year.

However, maintaining this free attraction comes at a cost. For this reason, the Chippewa Falls Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department is holding a fundraiser next month to support the zoo.

The event will take place at Irvine Park Zoo on July 25, from 12-7pm, and will include food and drink vendors, animal viewings, and some behind-the-scenes looks at how the zoo is run. While the fundraiser is free to attend, some of the extra activities will be priced in an effort to raise money.

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CURRENTLY, THE ZOO HAS AN ANNUAL BUDGET OF $49,750, NOT INCLUDING EMPLOYEE WAGES.

For comparison, the NEW Zoo and Adventure Park in Brown County – encompassing the Green Bay metropolitan area – has an annual budget of no less than several million dollars as of 2021 records. The Wisconsin Rapids zoo had a 2025 budget of $147,615, according to the city's budget summary draft for this year.

Parks Director John Jimenez said the goals of the event are multifold.

“I think the major objective there is trying to raise some funds and awareness for our need to redevelop, redesign, or reconstruct the large mammal exhibits,” Jimenez said.

The large mammal facilities include the former tiger exhibit – Lulu, the zoo’s longtime resident tiger, passed away in January this year – the exhibit where the hyenas are housed, and the black bear habitat.

While there is not yet a dollar amount goal for the fundraiser, Jimenez emphasized the zoo is in need of significant funding in order to make the intended improvements. Currently, he said, the zoo has an annual budget of $49,750, not including employee wages.

For comparison, the NEW Zoo and Adventure Park in Brown County – serving the Green Bay metropolitan area – has an annual budget of no less than several million dollars as of 2021 records. The Wisconsin Rapids zoo had a 2025 budget of $147,615, according to the city’s budget summary draft for this year.

"Any contributions from anyone go a long way in our efforts to reach our goal of trying to provide better exhibits and habitats for the animals."

JOHN JIMENEZ

DIRECTOR, CHIPPEWA FALLS PARKS DEPARTMENT

“Our budget hasn't had much growth in it for quite some time,” Jimenez said. “It's pretty spectacular what we've been able to do and accomplish with that size of a budget.”

According to Jimenez, the bulk of the zoo’s operational budget comes from donations. The Friends of Irvine Park Zoo, a local group that has contributed financially to the zoo for several years, will dissolve in 2025 — eliminating an important source of funding.

The zoo’s staff consists of one zookeeper and assistant zookeeper, with four Parks Department staff members offering support when needed.

“Basically, (each person is) squeezing a 10-hour work day into an 8-hour shift,” Jimenez said. “So, our staff needs as much support as they can get.”

The parks department is actively looking for food, craft, and merchant vendors to set up at the July fundraiser.

“Any contributions from anyone go a long way in our efforts to reach our goal of trying to provide better exhibits and habitats for the animals,” Jimenez emphasized.

To learn more about the Irving Park Zoo and keep up with ongoing fundraising efforts, visit the department’s website or the Chippewa Falls Parks, Recreation and Forestry Facebook page (@CF.ParksRec).