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Irving Park gets spring refresh during Community Garden Day

CINCINNATI, OH (April 15, 2024) — Members of Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Ambassador Council rolled up their sleeves this past weekend to beautify Irving Park, located in Avondale across the street from the Zoo.

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“The Zoo is proud of our Avondale neighborhood, and we love partnering with our neighbors to create beautiful green spaces for people and wildlife,” said Cincinnati Zoo’s director of community partnerships in conservation Mollie O’Neil. “We have planted several public gardens in our community, including this one, and they need regular maintenance to stay healthy and thriving.”

That’s where the Zoo’s Ambassador Council comes in.  The Zoo’s Ambassador Council was formed in 2009 to engage young professionals throughout the region to support its mission, vision, and values. The Council is an energetic group of emerging leaders who are passionate about the Zoo.

The Ambassador Council works on several different initiatives to support the Zoo’s work, the biggest of which is:

• Hosting Zoo La La, an annual fundraising event that supports the Zoo’s Education Department, including the Living Classroom Education Access Fund, providing free field trips to schools in need. In thirteen years, almost $2 million dollars has been raised through this event. Tickets are on sale now for Zoo La Laon June 21.

“The Ambassador Council is a committed group of amazing young professionals who are committed to the mission of the Cincinnati Zoo, especially supporting the education efforts that the Cincinnati Zoo has to offer,” said Ambassador Council member Meera Kotagal.

You can enjoy the gardens at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Early Entry at 9 a.m. available for members). They are especially beautiful this time of year! Memberships are on sale now, so join the Zoo at a discounted price and enjoy all the perks.

DID YOU KNOW…. You pay more than $10 less per ticket, on select days, when you purchase tickets online!  That’s a $40 savings for a family of 4!