As part of their 100 Years of Wild centennial celebration, City of Asheville Mayor EstherManheimer has proclaimed May 30, 2025 as WNC Nature Center Day in honor of the opening of Recreation Park Zoo in 1925 and recognition of the WNC Nature Center’s contribution to the conservation and biodiversity of the Southern Appalachian region and its impact on the City. The City is proud of the contributions the Nature Center makes to our community. The Center is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the gold standard of animal welfare, since 1999, marking 25 years of excellence. In 2023, the Nature Center, along with its non-profit support organization, Friends of the Nature Center, made a combined contribution of $23 million to the Buncombe County economy.
More about the Nature Center’s 100-years Wild celebration
Recreation Park Zoo (now known as the WNC Nature Center) opened on May 30, 1925. One hundred years later, the Nature Center will be hosting a full day of fun, discovery, and community spirit on Friday, May 30, 2025.
“We are so grateful to be marking a century of inspiring visitors to foster a deep connection with wildlife,” says Nature Center Director Chris Gentile. “This once-in-a-century celebration is a tribute to the wild heart of Asheville and the community that has supported the wildlife park for 100 incredible years.”
This milestone celebration invites visitors of all ages to enjoy exclusive activities and offers throughout the day:
May 30 Events and Programs
- FREE ADMISSION for the First 100 Non-Member Adults and Kids
- Thanks to the generous support of our community partners, the first 100 non-member adults and first 100 non-member children will be able to enter the park for free.
- Gates open at 10 a.m.
- Special thanks to The Duke Energy Foundation for sponsoring 100 free adult tickets for non-members and The Junior League of Asheville for sponsoring 100 free children’s tickets for non-members.
- SEED PACKET GIVEAWAY for Members
- Friends of the WNC Nature Center members can grow a little wild at home andpick up a free native seed packet at the Membership Office
- HISTORY WALL REVEAL
- Be among the first to see the brand-new mural on the side of the barn and theunveiling of the 1925 history panel, one of twelve panels that will be revealed,highlighting the past hundred years of Center’s history.
- Wild Fun with BINGO
- Families (and children at heart) can pick up a BINGO card at the FrontTicket Office or Membership Office and explore the park in a whole new way.
- Centennial DISCOUNTS
- Symbolically adopt an animal representing the zoo’s past – exotic animalslike the elephant, peacock, chimpanzee, lion, and eagle can be adopted inperson at the Membership Office or Gift Shop. The adoptions will include a 15-percent discount on May 30 and proceeds will support the animals who currently call the Nature Center home.
The WNC Nature Center is located at 75 Gashes CreekRoad in Asheville, North Carolina, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Please visit www.wildwnc.org for alternate directions to navigate to the Centerafter the loss of the Gashes Creek Bridge due to Hurricane Helene.
WNC Nature Center, a rich history
Established as Recreation Park Zoo in 1925 and later re-visioned in 1977, the Western North Carolina Nature Center connects people of all ages with the plants and animals of the Southern Appalachians. Asheville’s Wildlife Park is located on forty-two acres and is home to more than sixty species of animals, including red panda, river otter, black bear, red wolves, and cougar. For more information, please visit www.wildwnc.org.
A Special Thank you to our Friends
The WNC Nature Center could not continue its tradition of excellence without a little from its Friends – Friends of the Nature Center that is. Establishedin 1975, the Friends of the WNC Nature Center is a vital partner with the WNC Nature Center. With their donors and members, the Friends enrich the Nature Center’s mission to connect people with the plants and animals of the Southern Appalachians. As a conservation organization, the Friends inspire a passion to know more, care more, and do more for the wildlife of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. They advance the critical work of the WNC Nature Center by supporting its growth and development through fundraising, membership, outreach education, marketing, and volunteer services.