Chapter 927 MUNICIPAL ZOO LOCATION AND OPERATION

The division of municipal zoo, as a division within the department of public service, as the same is presently constituted by virtue of authority granted in Ordinance No. 562-37, is recreated and reestablished as the division of municipal zoo within the department of recreation and parks. (Ord. 1947-76.)

The “zoological park” to be operated as hereinafter provided, shall be located on an approximate ninety-six acre tract of land in what is known as Riverside Park along the east bank of the Scioto River immediately north of the O’Shaughnessy Dam, said tract of land extending northwardly from the north side of said dam, between a line following the meanders of the Scioto River and at an elevation six (6) feet above the crest of the dam and the east boundary of the property east of Route 257, acquired by the city and used in connection with the operation of the municipal zoo. Provided, however, that no buildings for the housing of animals shall be erected, or animals kept on any part of said tract of land nearer the Scioto River than a line following the general contour of the land along the east river bank at an elevation of nine feet above the crest of said dam, said tract of land to be named and designated as “The Columbus Municipal Zoo”. (Ord. 983-54.)

The director of recreation and parks is authorized and directed to administer the agreement on behalf of the city with the Columbus zoological park association, also known as the Columbus zoological society, which was executed pursuant to authority granted by council in Section 1 of Ordinance 65-70. (Ord. 1947-76.)

The Columbus Municipal Zoo shall be operated at all times so as to comply with the rules and regulations of the department of public service division of water and the State Board of Health, for the protection of the water supply of the city. All municipal river patrolmen and the officers and patrolmen of the police department shall have authority in and over the Columbus Municipal Zoo grounds, to the same extent as municipal police officers have over any other city-owned property. (Ord. 983-54.)

The “municipal zoo fund” as created and established under Ordinance No., 562-37, into which all gifts or donations of money excepted by the “municipal zoo commission” or city, for use in connection with the operation of the zoo, shall be paid, is reestablished and recreated for the purposes herein set forth. Any such gift or donation of money so accepted and paid into the fund shall be held and used for the operation and benefit of the Columbus Municipal Zoo and shall be appropriated therefrom with the approval of council and shall be used for no other purpose. (Ord. 983-54.)

(A) Shore access, by members of the public, for the expressed purpose of engaging in any type of fishing activities, is strictly prohibited within the lands controlled by the Columbus Municipal Zoo as set forth within this chapter.
(B) Persons engaged in boating activities on the waters surrounding those lands controlled by the Columbus Municipal Zoo shall not land, beach, dock, or enter into any other structures within the confines of the Columbus Municipal Zoo. Vessels operated by zoo personnel while conducting official business including public boat concessions shall be exempt from this section. (Ord. 751-93.)

(A) No person shall feed, or cause any foodstuffs to be placed in proximity to any animals, bird, fowl, amphibian, mammal, fish or other living thing kept at the Columbus Municipal Zoo in violation of any restrictions or regulations authorized by the Columbus zoological park association which are posted on the premises of the Columbus Municipal Zoo.
(B) No person shall throw, place, or cause to be placed, in a cage or any other area where any animal, bird, fowl, amphibian, mammal, fish or other living thing is kept at the Columbus Municipal Zoo, any foreign object or item of any kind which is in violation of any restriction or regulations authorized by the Columbus zoological park association which are posted on the premises of the Columbus Municipal Zoo. (Ord. 889-83.)