Assembly Resolution No. 273

BY: M. of A. Lupardo

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the Ross
Park Zoo

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the
continuing welfare of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly
enriched and reliably served by the purposeful endeavors of those
organizations within our midst that strive to enhance the quality of
life in their communities by promoting wildlife conservation, science,
and community engagement; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Ross Park Zoo located in
Binghamton, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Ross Park Zoo is an organization that works to serve
and secure a future where wildlife thrives and enhances the quality of
life for citizens of its community and for its countless visitors over
the last 150 years; and

WHEREAS, A wealthy businessman, Erastus Ross, who stipulated that
the land was to be used as a park for all the community to enjoy,
donated a 90-acre plot to the city of Binghamton, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Ross Park Zoo officially opened in 1875, and it is the
fifth oldest zoological institution in the country; and

WHEREAS, The first electric-run trolleys in Binghamton were in
opened in 1887, and a line running up Park Avenue by way of the old
Washington Bridge created easy access to the park; and

WHEREAS, The increased use of the automobile allowed people to
travel out of the Binghamton area for recreation, decreasing the number
of visitors to the parks; the loss of this revenue caused the Ross Park
Zoo to slowly decline until the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) threatened the zoo with closure; and

WHEREAS, In 1966, concerned community residents formed the Southern
Tier Zoological Society, and for the first time in 1972, an
appropriation for the maintenance of Ross Park Zoo appeared in the City
of Binghamton's budget; the society was granted a contract by the city
to oversee the operation and maintenance of the zoo in 1977, and has
assumed additional responsibilities ever since; and

WHEREAS, With naturalistic exhibits housing over 100 different
species, a strong emphasis on conservation education, and an outreach
program that serves over 20,000 people in New York and Pennsylvania, the
Ross Park Zoo is leaving a legacy that will last for generations to
come; and

WHEREAS, In honor of its 150th year, the Ross Park Zoo has unveiled
the America Together National Mural Mosaic, a mural made of 150

individually painted tiles to form a larger picture, in collaboration
with the Mural Mosaic's Global Roots Project; and

WHEREAS, The Ross Park Zoo, with over 150 years of proud history and
unrelenting commitment to advancement, remains today as a preeminent
example of our understanding of, and appreciation for, the precious
wildlife which comprises the bounty of nature and the beauty of our
environment; this zoo has brought untold delight and expansive knowledge
to a multitude of New York citizens and cherished visitors from abroad;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the Ross Park Zoo on reaching the milestone anniversary of
150 years, and for its dedication to increasing awareness of the
importance of conservation for the benefit of both the animal kingdom
and the human race; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Ross Park Zoo.