Merced's Applegate Park Zoo — Attraction in Merced

This park could be so much better because it does have wonderful things located inside it. It has Merced's Zoo, a kiddie land, an amphitheater, a skate park, and basketball courts that are all located right off of a walking trail. The residents of Merced really should vote on revitalizing this little gem. It is filled with homeless transients living in the restroom stalls, along the trails and around the area and families that leave their trash after they host their parties/BBQ's.

There is shade at this park. The grass is crabgrass I think because it's very think and hard and has lots of brown spots. It's fine if you use a blanket on it.

The play equipment is a bit dated and it might be nice if the city was able to put in more play equipment or possibly build a structure similar to the one at Donnely Park in Turlock to attract more families. This could possibly help the zoo increase their numbers too.

Applegate Zoo is a very small zoo, but the staff and volunteers are fantastic! They host a wonderful Halloween Zoo Boo and take up much of the park to do it. They try really hard to keep the zoo going and work on donations. I think the zoo is the heart of this park!!!

The amphitheater is small but it would be nice if the park had better seating, lighting, and speaker system to host more events there. They have hosted Shakespeare nights during the summer and it brings in a small crowd. It would be great if they could host summer concerts there for the youth or maybe collaborate with both colleges or high schools to host more events in this venue.

I would suggest a little "Book Borrowing box" as little free library for those at the park to read while there, but homeless, theft, and vandalism might be an issue.

It would be also nice if the city would allow Bear Creek to continuously have water in it so we could have fish and ducks in it. It could be a nice little free attraction for residents and out of towners. The trail could host some historical markers that people could do audio tours on and could also be expanded on a walking audio tour of downtown. Bear Creek could also help bring in revenue. If it was kept with water in it than possibly a small water craft rental place could open during the summer for residents to utilize. Rentals such as kayaks, two person pedal boats, etc...

Merced has so much potential being the "Gateway to Yosemite" and a cute major college hub before travelers exit to less populous areas. But it's residents needs to step up and be more responsible in having nice things in its area. They need be able to take are of it's structures, parks, walkways. The homeless needs to be addressed otherwise all the positive growth that occurred will falter.

We want people to stop through here, not drive faster to get through here.

It might help to have more trash can's throughout the cit to help with the litter problem. Putting up vine plants to help lessen the graffiti on fences. Installing more camera's within the city so local police can maintain patrol via satellite on area's that need it more often. As far as the homeless goes, Merced has a shelter but many don't want to stay in it, maybe a rehab center to help those with...

I’m going to do my best to give this zoo the benefit of the doubt. I’ve been a zookeeper for about 10 years so my review is going to be very different than a typical family review who came here with their 5 year old. It first needs to be stated...I don’t know the financial backing this zoo receives. I don’t know if everything strictly gets paid for by the owners or if there’s any support by the city. So I understand you can only do so much with the money you have available and animal food, medical treatment, and public safety always come first. Now that said.... 3 stars is being too generous, my actual rating is 2.5 stars. While there’s adequate enclosures for the birds and their sulcata tortoise, all their mammals are in either too small enclosures or enclosures layered in concrete. The chain link walls make it difficult to see in the enclosures especially if the sun is hitting the wall and the enclosure is all shade inside. Again, I understand if there’s not enough money you can only do so much but 75% of their animal collection are not being given the space or proper living requirements zoos hold a standard of applying today. I think this zoo would’ve been better off starting small and slowly building up to a proper zoo, little at a time, than throwing everything together at once. Maybe design this zoo strictly for small animals so they’d have adequate space and the cost of enclosure redesign wouldn’t be as demanding. But sticking 2 bears in a bedroom sized concrete enclosure is not good. There are numerous changes that should seriously be addressed. In the end, if you’re a zoo hobbyist, a fellow zookeeper like me, or used to going to zoos like SF Zoo or Chaffee Zoo, you will be disappointed. Maybe even infuriated. If not, or you’re taking your 5 year old and you are capable of holding your tongue (speaking your mind to the zookeepers won’t do you any good), then drop by. It’s a 20 minute visit for $3.

That’s the best review I can give for this place. I’d recommend taking the 45 minute drive south to Fresno and go to the Chaffee...

This zoo is very small it's literally in the shape of a square you can probably circle around it if you were power walking under 7 minutes. If you take a slow stroll around the zoo you'll probably finish it within 20 minutes. The zoo's restrooms are to the right at the very back. They have really reasonable pricing to enter $2 for children to 2-15 $3 adults $1.50 Seniors. To feed the llamas and goats in the very back you only pay $0.50 per half of a mouth rinse cup. They have small birds, monkeys, a turkey vulture, a owl, a tortoise, llamas, goats, a miniature pig, emus, deer, a peacock,a Fox, bears, raccoons.. There is a tiny gift shop with basic snacks and some drinks and small toys..not expensive at all. There's a spot for petting zoo animals which is a extra fee when it's actually open..usually on big events. But normally it's never open. There's also a building for kids activities..but that's never open either. They desperately need volunteers. When they have events like the zooboo near Halloween it's alot of fun and lots of activities forthe kids..anual pass is the way to go..zooboo is not included it's extra but only a few dollars. Otherwise the zoo is a nice place to stroll..look at the animals for a while or just visit for 30 min.to 1 hour. My kids...