History– The zoo is actually located on a property that was once a 300 acre farm owned by Michael and Elizabeth Dunn. The farm was run (farmed) and built on slave labor. The Dunn’s home built in 1810 is still located on the zoo’s property. Two great-great granddaughters of Michael Dunn, the original owner, were the last of the family to live in the property before the home and the land was donated.
In 1964, the home and the land was deeded to the Children’s Museum of Nashville. There was an agreement that the house and the land would remain as “a nature study center.” The last sister passed in 1985 and the work began on the nature center calling it Grassmere Nature Park.
Unfortunately, in December of 1994 the park closed. This gets a little confusing…the Nashville Zoo actually had another location in a different town. Thoughts were either to turn Grassmere into a wildlife park or the zoo. It was then decided that in 1996 the current location be a wildlife park. The public was confused so the other site (the original zoo) was closed and in 1998 the zoo was relocated to where it is today. As far as zoos go, it’s a baby zoo!
The first thing you come to, of course, is the parking lot. It’s marked with animal sections for you to remember instead of letters or numbers. If you know us, you know what section we parked in!
Once we entered the zoo, it had a “Disney” feel. If you have ever been to Animal Kingdom the architecture, plantings, staff friendliness, and a few surprises in the restrooms lent to the “Disney”feel. Each time we would enter a different section the entryways were structurally relevant to their area. They played piped in music from the regions we were in and took great care to be sure the exhibits/habitats were as realistic as possible. The new tiger exhibit alone must have cost an easy half million to just put together- so impressive! When we we in Andean Bear exhibit, I stopped to talk with one of the upper zoo employees just to confirm my thoughts on the “Disney” feel! He was so pleased I said that. I made his day. He said they had several meetings about the “feel” they were going for. The people they hired to do the design and architecture are on board for the long term. They have, like most big companies, long term goals. They have opened a new exhibit every year for the last four years.
I’ll tell you, to watch the bear play in the waterfall shortly became the highlight of the day. He actually looked like he was laughing (or at least smiling.) The other bear was perched right up front close and personal taking his afternoon nap. He didn’t look super comfortable – but he thought he was!
We did go the the giraffes first! DUH! I let Jeff take the photos. His new camera takes the most amazing photos. They are National Geographic quality! The exhibit here had 2 kinds of Giraffes on exhibit. SOOOOOOOO CUTE!
I think another on of our favorite spots was the Veterinary Center. As we walked up, we noticed in the first window there were some baby Clouded Leopards. I know most of us would want one as a cub. Full grown, not so much! The next window over the vet techs had several babies they were “doing” things to. One Clouded Leopard was being rubbed to make tinkle, one was being fed baby food and there was an animal I can’t remember what it was called was sucking a bottle dry. Baby Lorikeets and Amazon Milk Frogs were found in the next window.
Let’s discuss food, drinks, and souvenirs…AHHH! Just like any other place they get you in your wallet. I got a bottle of water and Zoom Zoom got a Diet Coke -$9.00. At lunch, Zoom Zoo got a chicken sandwich and I got a yogurt parfait – $16.00. Just before we left we stopped at the last gift shop – one magnet and one soda – $13.00. Just plan ahead if you have things you ALWAYS get!
I love the logo! 
The use of this logo is ALL over the park! it’s kind of like looking for Mickey Mouse at the Disney Parks. 
The Dunn’s Homestead 
Incredible art! 
Art work throughout the zoo! 
Art on the carousel! 
The back of the benches in the cafeteria. 
The backs of the cafeteria chairs! 
In the new tiger exhibit – just breath-taking! 
These tiles were in the ladies restroom! I loved them! 
This was a structure in the new tiger exhibit. 
I knew I took a picture of a hippo! 
Veterinary Center-White Cloud Leopards 
Meow! 
Lorikeets 
Last of the Babies! Amazon Milk Frogs 
Sorry Everyone – he’s taken! 
Meerkats 
He was being elusive at first! 
When it came time “to go” he came right on over! 
News you can use…their THANG points backwards to PEE! 
When he finished he walked away… 
They are playing Leap Frog. 
Same mom, different dads! 
He was about 4 inches from my face! He begged for a kiss. I told him I was taken! 
Just look closely and think…Hmm… why did Honey take this picture? 
Spider Monkeys 
This display is located in the ladies restroom next to the Andean Bear exhibit! 
Meet Carol the Southern Pudu! 
This is Carol’s best friend Leo! They share a habitat! 
The newest member of the Nashville Zoo! 
