Wheaton's Cosley Zoo to charge admission for out-of-towners

For the first time in more than three decades, Cosley Zoo will charge admission for out-of-town visitors.

Wheaton Park District board members Wednesday agreed to start charging a $5 admission fee for adults who don't live in the city.

Wheaton residents, Cosley Zoo members and visitors 17 and younger will continue to receive free admission to the popular zoo at Gary Avenue and Jewell Road.

The change, scheduled to take effect in mid-June, is expected to generate roughly $60,000 annually over five years for the zoo, which has long been operating at a loss.

"Cosley Zoo is an absolute jewel," park board Commissioner Terry Mee said. "It's an educational center. It's a place for families. And it operates at a deficit. We have to make an attempt to at least reduce the deficit."

This year, Cosley is expected to operate at roughly an $88,000 deficit. That shortfall could be reduced to about $35,000 if the admission fee for nonresident adults is imposed as planned.

Park district commissioners said they don't want to charge admission for Wheaton residents because local property tax dollars provide 73 percent of the zoo's total revenue.

"We want to make sure our residents continue to get the benefit of this wonderful facility," park board President Phillip Luetkehans said. "In order to do that, we have to charge nonresidents."

With its 5 acres of exhibits, Cosley has more than 200 animals representing dozens of species, including llamas, horses and owls. There's also a gift shop, a picnic area and a recently renovated caboose that's been on the grounds since the early 1980s. A new pigs and poultry exhibit is slated to open before the admission fee is imposed.

Instead of the admission fee, park board members considered the possibility of charging visitors a parking fee. But that idea was rejected after concerns were raised about visitors parking along nearby residential streets.

"The last thing I want to do is anger the residents in the area that surround that park because we're charging a (parking) fee," Commissioner Mark Schobel said.

Wheaton park officials estimate 80 percent of the zoo's roughly 100,000 visitors come from outside Wheaton. Two-thirds of all the zoo visitors are 17 and younger.

Park officials say they plan to monitor whether the $5 nonresident admission fee causes a drop in attendance.

"If the market decides it's not a good idea," Luetkehans said, "then we'll have to readjust."