Casey Atkins
The Zoo & the Community
The Community Partnership Office acts as a liaison between Zoo New England and the surrounding community. Community partnership and outreach are vital to the success of spreading our mission. Through our community programs, we engage members of the community -- particularly children, youth and adults from underserved communities -- in forming life-long connections with nature.
Community Partnerships and Collaborations
Zoo New England collaborates with local organizations to share knowledge and resources that positively impact our community. The Zoo provides a number of resources to community partners, which may include access to meeting spaces, free admission, donation passes and youth program opportunities.
Co-Designing Conservation With (not For) our Neighbors
Beginning in summer 2021, Franklin Park Zoo uses a co-design approach to engage our closest neighbors. The approach is guided by asset-based program design. It’s about working with existing strengths and collaborating to build on them.
We're partnering with Antioch University on a strategic 3-year process to engage our neighbors in the co-design of conservation and educational programming. In collaboration with neighbors and local organizations in Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan and Jamaica Plain, we seek to co-develop programs that build on existing neighborhood assets to meet current community needs and aspirations. This co-design process aims to equitably integrate residents and potential professional collaborators into program design and increase the justice, sustainability, and effectiveness of our programing efforts. True stakeholder engagement and collaborative creation are essential components of this inclusive design process.
For more information about this initiative, Kayla Cranston at kcranston@antioch.edu
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EBT and WIC Benefits
Please be ready to present your EBT or WIC card at the Admissions booth upon arrival.
General Zoo Admission Tickets:
Massachusetts EBT and WIC cardholders receive admission for $4 per person, for up to four people at both Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo. Offer is valid for Massachusetts residents through Dec. 31, 2023.
Zoo Membership:
EBT and WIC cardholders can become a member and enjoy free general daytime admission to Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo year-round. The Family level membership includes two named adult cardholders and up to four children. Memberships are intended for one household, and are non-refundable and non-transferrable. As a Zoo New England member, you will also receive discounts on food and gift purchases, party rentals, education programs, invites to members-only events and exhibit previews.
For EBT/WIC cardholders, the Family level membership price is $40.
To purchase this membership, EBT/WIC cardholders can email a copy/photo of their EBT or WIC card to ZNEMembership@zoonewengland.org. A single use code will be emailed back along with instructions on purchasing online. The primary card holder must be named on the EBT/WIC card. If you have questions, our staff will be happy to assist you. Please be ready to present your card at the Admissions booth upon arrival. Offer is only valid for Massachusetts residents through Dec. 31, 2023.
We are proud to participate in the Card to Culture program, a collaboration between Mass Cultural Council and the Department of Transitional Assistance, Massachusetts Health Connector, and Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, by broadening accessibility to cultural programming. See the full list of participating organizations offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare discounts.
