Community Access Program
The Philadelphia Zoo’s Community Access program aspires to increase accessibility to the Zoo directly to our immediate neighbors, families, schools and mission-aligned organizations.
To increase access to the Zoo’s 42 acres of gardens and 1,900 amazing animals we decrease the barrier of admission in the simplest way possible: by eliminating it. We are eager to offer the Zoo as a joyful destination that is a safe asset to our nearest neighbors by providing free access for at least 60,000 visitors annually. Through engagement with our staff, animals, and experiences during these visits, the Zoo encourages and empowers our guests to protect wildlife and the environment we share.
If you are a Neighbor to the Zoo either by way of residency, school enrollment, or participant in a conservation, animal welfare or other mission-aligned project in our nearby neighborhood we welcome and encourage you to consider the Zoo as an extension of your home and classroom. Please review the following options available to people and programs in the following zip codes: 19104, 19131, 19139, 19143, 19151.
Title I School Field Trips
The Zoo’s Community Access Program (CAP) provides free or reduced-price admission to K-12 students from Title I public and charter schools (with 40% or more of the students receiving free or reduced-priced lunches). Applications for our Fall 2026 CAP Season recently closed; an application for our Spring 2027 CAP Season will open in January. You can save the link below now and check back in 2027!
Apply Now
Free 1 Day Zoo Passes
Local residents, neighborhood schools, and mission-aligned organizations are eligible to request free, 1 day passes to visit the Zoo. Click the button below to request free visits to the Philadelphia Zoo! Please note: the form is open the first week of every month to accept requests and closed for the remainder of the month to respond to all requests. You will hear a response after completing the form that will either include information to access your tickets or information regarding your eligibility to access tickets.
Important note: This form is for small class visits to the Zoo for Neighborhood Schools; for larger free field trips for Philadelphia Title 1 Schools, please see the above option and separate form available twice a year.
In addition to this form we provide free ticket access at 6 local library branches; you can visit each branch for more details:
• Cecil B. Moore
• Charles L. Durham
• Kingsessing
• Lucien E. Blackwell
• Queen Memorial
• Walnut St West
Neighborhood Membership
To increase continuous access to the Zoo and offer our space as a resource to local residents, we have provided 1,000 free Neighborhood Memberships to local families. We have reached the capacity for this program. If we are able to extend capacity, we will update this section with information and neighborhood partners to connect with for access!
Neighborhood Members represent the following local schools and organizations; thank you for your partnership!
• Mantua Civic Association
• East Parkside Residents Association
• Centennial Parkside CDC
• Parkside Association
• Morton McMichael Elementary School
• West Belmont Civic Association
• Alain Locke Elementary School
• West Powelton Saunders Park
• Drexel University’s Dornsife Center
Community Night
Thank you to all our neighbors that attended Summer Community Night in August and a big shout out to our partner organizations that provided free resources and activities for all families that attended!
Our next Community Night will be hosted during LumiNature – check back for a date soon!
Thank you to our Summer Community Night partners:
• Leroy’s Barbershop
• We Embrace Fatherhood
• West Philadelphia Reading Captains
• Read by 4th
• Please Touch Museum
• Bethanna
• Fairmount Park Conservancy
• The Philadelphia Free Library
• Philly Tree Plan
• Art-Reach
Thank you to our sponsors!
Each year, with the financial partnership of individuals, corporations, and foundations, the Zoo is able to offer the Community Access Program which provides free visits and fun, engaging, and relevant learning opportunities to more than 60,000 community members annually. We could not offer these experiences without the very generous support of the following people and organizations:
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- Dee Hillas
- Estate of Edna Thomas
- Independence Foundation