1904
Purchase of 283 acres of land along the south side of Assiniboine River to the west of Winnipeg, at a cost of $39,963 for the new “Suburban Park”.
Assiniboine Park Zoo begins as the Parks Board purchases a number of native animals which were placed in the north-east corner of the park. These native animals became the focal point of the Zoo with bear pits and a number of large corrals for deer, bison and elk.
1905
The plan and recommendations for the park; prepared by Frederick G. Todd, a landscape architect from Montreal, were submitted to and approved by the Parks Board.
1907
Development of the Formal Garden in the southeast corner of the park was completed.
1908
The construction of the original Pavilion was completed at a cost of $19,000, having been designed by Winnipeg architect, J. D. Atchison.
Construction of a large serpentine Duck Pond, to the west of the “Children’s Meadow”, was completed.
A second bear pit is constructed within the Zoo.
1909
Victoria Day – Official opening ceremonies of Assiniboine Park.
Construction was completed of the pergola and lily basin on the north side of the Pavilion.
A pheasantry is constructed within the Zoo.
1911
The first wooden footbridge was constructed by private interests, connecting Portage Avenue to the park.
Construction of the original Cricket Pavilion was completed.
The first bandshell was constructed.
1914
Contract awarded to Lord and Burnham Company of Toronto for the construction of the original Palm House, at a cost of $31,125.59.
Picnic grounds were developed on a site just west of the Pavilion, and a large picnic shelter was erected.
shelter was erected.
1915
A decision was made with reference to Kildonan Park of maintaining only one Zoo and that was to remain in Assiniboine Park.
1916
The existing main gateway, designed by Winnipeg architect, J. Manuel, was constructed at the southeast entrance to the park.
A bear cage is constructed within the Zoo.
1917
Additions of north and south wings were made to the Palm House.
A beaver enclosure is constructed within the Zoo.
1918
The Parks nursery, north of the Duck Pond, was opened for the first time to the public (site of the present English Garden).
The removal of playground equipment from the Children’s Meadow and the relocation on a prepared site adjacent to the Picnic Grounds.
1923
Plans were prepared by Mr. George Champion for the Informal Garden, later to be called the English Garden.
1924
Construction began on a new work yard on a site northeast of the Zoo (present Zoo yard).
First unit of a permanent water system for the park was completed.
A peafowl enclosure is constructed within the Zoo.
1927
Preliminary work began on the English Garden.
1928
Two parcels of land totaling six acres were acquired between Portage Avenue and the Assiniboine River, by donation and purchase from the Town of St. James.
The Town of Tuxedo transferred 13.5 acres of river frontage located east of the park to the Parks Board.
The construction of the present gateway at the northeast entrance, similar in design to that of the southeast gate, but on a smaller scale.
The circular lily pond was constructed in the center of the English Garden.
The Zoo has 116 different animals composed of 19 different species including native animals such as nine black bears, badger, beaver, bison, deer, elk, fox, mamot, raccoon, rabbit, squirrel, skunk and wolf. The non-native animals included two armadillo, three monkeys, and 20 guinea pigs.
1929
May 27th – The Pavilion burned to the ground – cause unknown.
A “temporary” refreshment booth was constructed in the Zoo and remained until 1962.
The English Garden was opened to the Public.
Ten alligators are obtained for the Zoo. The Zoo has 102 birds composed of 13 species which did not include the Zoo's collection of more than 400 pigeons.
The Zoo's budget was $8,237 which included $1,875 for food, $4,263 for labour, and $1,158 for new construction.
1930
Victoria Day – The new “Early English” style Pavilion, designed by architects Northwood and Chivers, and constructed for $74,800, was opened to the public.
Six reindeer, intended for use in the Santa Claus Parade, died due to what was thought to be overheating during the summer.
1932
May 21st – The official opening of the present footbridge from Portage Avenue, built as an unemployment relief project for $57,932.61, by a joint financing program of the Dominion, Provincial and City Governments.
1935
The Zoo's first lion, a lioness, was donated by the Khartoum Shriners.
1936
The Shriner's donated a male lion as a mate for the first.
A refreshment booth was opened within the Zoo and made an astounding revenue of over $8,000 in a short seven month season.
Prairie and timber wolves were added to the Zoo while porcupines were released from the Zoo collection as they did not survive well in captivity.
1938
The northern section of Ungulate corrals in the Zoo was removed in order to construct a one-way, U-shaped parking lot, accommodating 140 cars.
1939
The reinforced Lion House was constructed out of necessity because of the maturing of lion cubs donated by the Khartum Shrine.
1945
For the first time in 15 years, appropriations were made for band concerts in the park.
1948
Parks Board requested a comprehensive plan for projected improvements covering a five-year period.
1949
The park was the site of the major festivities celebrating the 75th Anniversary of The City of Winnipeg.
1950
The English Garden remained close during the summer due to the damage caused by the spring flood.
The park hosted the Dominion Cricket Tournament for the first time in 40 years.
The Zoo Advisory Committee was organized and a preliminary plan for modification and expansion of the Zoo facilities was adopted.
1951
One-way traffic on the major roadways was initiated and implemented on week-ends during July and August.
1952
A landscaped entrance was constructed for the English Garden, including a rockery, pool, circular path and ornamental gates.
1953
The “Boy with the Boot” statue, moved from the City Hall to take up position on the rockery at the entrance to the English Garden, was dedicated by the Order of Rotary International.
1954
Traffic counters were used for the first time at the park entrance.
The first part-time Zoo Director was hired.
The lion/zoo office was completed.
1955
The Zoo had three permanent Zoo Keepers and one part-time Zoo Keeper. The Zoo collection consisted of 131 animals comprising 31 species; 291 birds in 22 species.
The first barless enclosure for bears in Canada was built.
1956
The Zoological Society of Manitoba was created.
The Zoo was expanded by 66 acres.
1957
The official opening of the Bear Range at
a total construction cost of $13,577.77.
The Town of Tuxedo officially transferred 66 acres of land, at a cost of $55,624, to Assiniboine Park.
1958
The first Zoo Director was appointed.
The aviary section, new washrooms, and the Chilren's Zoo were built. Pony rides began at the Zoo and 30,344 rides were given generating $775.00 in revenue.
The first phase was completed of a perimeter roadway along the north and west sides of the Zoo.
1959
The name of Assiniboine Park Zoo becomes official.
August – The official opening of Aunt Sally’s Farm (Children’s Zoo).
15,000 people gathered during the Royal Tour for the Hudson Bay Company “Rent Ceremony”, performed for Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip.
The first Siberian tiger was donated to the Zoo by the Blue Bird Club of Winnipeg. As well, the first milu arrived from the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago.
1960
The Siberian Tiger enclosure was completed.
A new master plan for the Zoo was developed.
1961
April 1st – The jurisdiction of Assiniboine Park was transferred to the newly created
Metropolitan Corporation of Greater Winnipeg.
1962
The refreshment house constructed for $25,824 was opened to the public.
The development of the new district construction and maintenance yard commenced, in the vicinity of Corydon Avenue in the southwest corner of the Park.
Steam locomotive No. 60433, the last one to be used by the C. N. R., was placed as a monument in the park.
The upgrading, realignment and paving of the perimeter roadway were commenced.
1963
A structure combining picnic shelter and washroom facilities was constructed in the vicinity of the Formal Garden, at a cost of $16,368.
The carnivore building was constructed in the Zoo.
1964
The Coffee House was constructed adjacent to the Conservatory, at a cost of $54,621.
The Zoo east parking lot, accommodating 600 cars, was completed, at a cost of $85,000.
The Miniature Railway, comprising a steam locomotive and three passenger cars with seating capacity for 96 people, was installed.
A second parking lot, accommodating 50 cars, was constructed between the Conservatory and the Pavilion.
The East Zoo entrance, comprised of a gatehouse and wing
pergolas, was completed at a cost of $34.876.56.
The Northern Cat Compound was completed at a cost of $15,69, as was the Mammal House, at a cost of
$101,976.
The Animal Nursery was constructed in the southwest corner of the Zoo at a cost of $65,000.
The Monkey House was completed.
1965
The Lion House was completely remodeled and converted into a Commissary and Zoo office, for a cost of $15,864.
Complete redevelopment of the Zoo’s northeast section, including Raccoon Hill, Raccoon-Like Dog Compound, Prairie Dog Range Viewing Hill, two multi-uses concrete cages, was undertaken at a cost of $39,979.
Regulatory and directional signs were implemented to relieve traffic congestion in the park.
The first phase of the reconstruction of all park roadways ways was completed.
Two 50-car parking lots were completed – main picnic area and picnic area adjacent to
the Formal Garden.
A new washroom building was completed at a cost of $32, 215, in the main picnic grounds.
A new gateway was constructed at the Shaftesbury entrance and a sunken pool and fountain installed in front of the Pavilion for a combined cost of $36,497.
The Portage Avenue park extension was completely re-landscaped.
All landscaping and paving was completed in the northeast section of the Zoo, including extensive landscaping in conjunction with the East entrance to the Zoo.
Three portable refreshment Kiosks were implemented in the Zoo.
Counters and a kitchen were constructed on the second floor of the Pavilion, to provide an alternate opportunity to the Conservatory Coffee House.
The pond at the entrance to the Zoo east gate is completed.
1966
Outdoor refreshment patio constructed to south of the Coffee House, for a cost of $12,734.
The snow leopard enclosure is added to the leopard enclosure and a tragopan enclosure were built on the far west side of the Zoo.
A total of $12,471 was spent on the reconstruction of the Cricket field for the field hockey events the following year.
The rose beds in the English Garden were completely rebuilt and 400 roses planted.
The Snow Leopard Compound, at a cost of $29,800 (in undeveloped west section) and accommodations for Tragopans (as part of the Aviary) at a cost of $18,000, were completed.
A staff house, at a cost of $20,000, was constructed near the southwest corner of the park.
1967
Estimated audiences of 14,000 people gathered for nine band concerts during the Canadian Centennial year.
The field hockey events of the Pan-American Games were held on the Cricket field.
The new Cricket Pavilion, designed by Parks Department staff, was completed at $32,000, in readiness for the sports events during the summer (replacing the Cricket Pavilion of 1911).
Ice-skating on the Duck Pond during the winter months, first suggested in 1908, was implemented.
A toboggan slide was erected, for the first time, in the history of the park, near the Conservatory.
A large picnic shelter and service building were constructed for $21,377 in the main picnic grounds.
The Queen Victoria monument was relocated from Main Street to the Englih Garden and officially dedicated by Miss Judy LaMarsh, Ministerof Cultural Affairs.
Extensive renovations, costing $180,000 were completed at the Bear Range.
At a cost of $275,000, the Northern Hoofed Animal Compounds were completed.
May 14th – the Zoo Coffee Shop was destroyed by fire.
A second mushroom-like public sun shelter was constructed at a cost of $2,500 in conjunction with landsclandscaping east of the Zoo entrance.
1968
The new “Carousel” Coffee Shop costing $231,670, was opened to the public.
The perimeter fencing of the Zoo was completed.
After two years of construction and landscaping, the range and shelter for the Hartmann’s Zebras was completed, at a cost of $40,000.
A Zoo service area, at a cost of $9,000, was completed.
The last remnant of the old Zoo, the former public vehicle road, was redesigned for pedestrians, at a construction cost of $10,000.
General renovation of refreshment facilities on the main floor of the Pavilion, including new washrooms, was completed.
1969
June 26th – The official opening of the new $650,000 Conservatory by Lieutenant- Governor R. S. Bowles.
The complete renovation of refreshment facilities on the main floor of the Pavilion.
The periphery shrub beds of the formal Garden, overgrown and long overdue for rejuvenation, were removed and replaced with shrub beds of lower material.
1971
The Beaver and Muskrat House Compound was completed, at a cost of $23,500.
An additional washroom-refreshment structure for the Zoo was built, at a cost of $46,414.
1971.
A 50-car parking lot was completed immediately east of the Shaftesbury entrance to the park.
Work commenced on the Tropical House for the Zoo, at an estimated cost of $650,000.
1972
January 1st – The jurisdiction of Assiniboine Park and Zoo was turned over to the new governing body
of the amalgamated City of Winnipeg.
The Tropical House for the Zoo is completed and opened to the public.
The Junior League of Winnipeg began the first Zoo education program.
1974
The South Gate is completed allowing entry to the Zoo at two locations.
1980
The Junior League of Winnipeg donates the Zoo Classroom to the Zoo and continues to provide shcool programs using volunteers.
1981
The new Zoo Commissary is completed.
1983
The Zoological Society of Manitoba is revived.
1985
The concept of a new children's zoo begins. The Zoological Society of Manitoba enlists the assistance of the Kinsmen Club of Winnipeg as a main partner in developing and building the Kinsmen Discovery Centre. Additional funding comes from the Winnipeg Foundation and other government agencies.
1988
Elephant rides in the Zoo begins and a special area and loading facility was built for this new attraction.
1989
The Panda Project begins. This was a project under the auspices of the Zoological Society of Manitoba. A Zoo Development Corporation under the Zoological Society was set up to administer the event. Upon completion of the Panda Project, the Zoo placed Spectacled Bears in the new facility.
A new East Gate is constructed for the Zoo, including a gift shop operated by the Zoological Society of Manitoba.
The Carousel Coffee Shop at the Zoo is re-designed and renovated.
1990
The Kinsmen Discovery Centre opens.
The Lesser Panda exhibit opens in the Tropical House.
1993
An admission fee to the Zoo is instituted.
The "Down Under" Australian Exhibit, featuring Koalas, opens. The Koalas were on loan from San Diego Zoo.
The old beaver/otter exhibit was razed and a new beaver/otter exhibit was built.
1994
New enclosures for the camels, yaks and zebras was completed.
1995
A new "Camel Oasis" environmental playground was opened across from the camel exhibit.
Inaugural "Lights of the Wild" special event, featuring animal light sculptures, opens for a three-week run.
1996
The Zoo and the Zoological Society of Manitoba open the first "Boo at the Zoo" Hallowe'en event.
1997
The "Saturn Playground", built in conjunction with the Zoological Society of Manitoba, is constructed by the Saturn Company staff and is located beside the Zoo restaurant.
The Zoological Society of Manitoba takes over the operation of the Zoo concessions.
1998
The Zoo hosts Limba and the "Elephant Encounter" event over the summer months.
1999
The Zoo hosts the "Birds of Prey" event over the summer months.
The Zoological Society of Manitoba holds the first "Animalia Zoo Gala".
The Carousel Restaurant was re-named the "Animal Tracks Cafe".
2000
The Zoological Society of Manitoba and Zoo staff begin work on the development of a new Master Plan Development Proposal for the Assiniboine Park Zoo.
The Mayor's Award for Volunteerism is awarded to the Zoological Society of Manitoba for their work with volunteers at Boo at the Zoo.
2002
Limba the Asian Elephant returns to the Assiniboine Park Zoo for the summer.
2004
The Zoo collection is comprised of 310 species and 1919 specimens.
2005
The Zoological Society of Manitoba enters its 50th Anniversary as a supporter of the Assiniboine Park Zoo with the re-introduction of a ZooDoption Program and an unveiling of fundraising activities and volunteer opportunitites.
