Buttonwood Park Zoological Society

What Buttonwood Park Zoological Society does

Buttonwood Park Zoological Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation founded in 1969 that supports the operations of Buttonwood Park Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the United States (established 1894 and the 12th oldest in the country). The zoo itself is owned and operated by the City of New Bedford, Massachusetts, while the Society manages fundraising, membership, concessions, marketing, and educational programming through a 7-acre campus housing more than 240 species. The Society is governed by a Board of Directors with officers and affiliated professional leaders from regional law, finance, and healthcare firms.

The organization's product surface is diversified across paid admissions, annual membership tiers (Zoo for 2 through Family+, with reciprocal access to 100+ AZA zoos and aquariums), seasonal events (Boo at the Zoo, First Taste of Fall, Party for the Planet), education programs (ZooCrew summer camp, field trips, Zoo2You mobile outreach, PAWS), private rentals and birthday parties, retail (North Woods Gift Store), food service (Bear's Den Cafe), and rides (Black Bear Express train, Wildlife Carousel). Conservation and fundraising streams include Animal Adoption, Coins for Conservation, Corporate Partnerships, and Legacy Giving. Technology deployments are limited to traditional point-of-sale, online ticketing via bpzoo.ticketapp.org, Science On a Sphere for environmental education, and a 24/7 Red Panda Cam live stream.

The business model is a hybrid direct-to-consumer and event-driven nonprofit. The Society generates revenue through a high-volume mix of small-ticket consumer transactions (general admission, rides at $3/token, group rates starting at $6), recurring membership subscriptions, program fees ($40-$200 per session), donation programs, and corporate sponsorships. The City of New Bedford provides facility ownership and operational support, while the Society's fundraising and the $25 million, 15-year master plan capital campaign fund new construction and educational capacity. Customer segments are families, school groups (free for New Bedford Public Schools), children ages 4-12, corporate sponsors, and individual donors.

Name

Buttonwood Park Zoological Society

Legal name

Buttonwood Park Zoological Society

Website

https://bpzoo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Buttonwood Park Zoological Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports the 1894-era Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford, Massachusetts, funding operations, conservation, education, and community programs across a 7-acre campus housing 240+ species.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoological Park and Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

National Park & Protected Area Tours (THAJAIAA), Citizen Science & Conservation Volunteer Tourism Programs (On-Site) (THAAAFAH), Education & Community Outreach (Responsible Pet Ownership) (BPAGAIAK)

Keywords

• Zoological park services
• Wildlife conservation programs
• Environmental education programs
• Animal exhibits and habitats
• Community recreation attractions

Headquarters

HQ city

New Bedford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Daily admission tickets sold to general public visitors. Operating hours 9am-4pm. BPZOO may close early for special events and is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership tiers offering year-round access, discounts on retail and dining, and reciprocal benefits with over 100 zoos and aquariums. Includes New Bedford resident and non-resident pricing options.
3. Retail - North Woods Gift Store: Gift shop selling toys, games, plush, clothing, gifts. Products include Jellycat, Fahlo Bracelets, children's books, Melville Candy, and official BPZOO merchandise. Zoo admission not required to visit shop. Members receive 10% discount.
4. Food Service - Bear's Den Cafe: On-site cafe offering variety of menu items with indoor and outdoor seating. Provided by On the Go Catering. Members receive 10% discount. Daily hours 11am-4pm.
5. Rides and Attractions: Black Bear Express train rides and Wildlife Carousel at $3 per token per person. All proceeds support educational programming and family events.
6. Birthday Parties and Private Events: Private room rentals for birthday parties with all-day admission for 30 guests, 2-hour private room rental, and various add-ons including ride tokens, animal encounters, and face painting.
7. Education Programs: On-site and Zoo2You education programs for schools, groups, and families. Includes guided tours, classroom programs, and summer ZooCrew camps. New Bedford schools receive free admission and programs.
8. Adopt an Animal Program: Plush adoption ($60) includes certificate, plush animal, fact sheet, stickers, and pin. Digital adoption ($30) includes photo, PDF certificate, and fact sheet.
9. Coins for Conservation: Donation program where visitors contribute to wildlife conservation projects. Has raised over $85,000 since inception in 2015.
10. Legacy Giving: Planned giving program including bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, gifts of life insurance, retirement funds, and qualified charitable distributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Buttonwood Park Zoological Society operates and supports an AZA-accredited zoological park featuring over 240 species across a seven-acre campus in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The Society delivers wildlife conservation, environmental education, and community engagement through daily admissions, memberships, rides and attractions, retail, dining, education programs, birthday parties, and conservation fundraising. Its dual public-private structure places operational ownership with the City of New Bedford while the nonprofit Society manages membership, programming, and fundraising.

Product overview

Buttonwood Park Zoo operates as a single unified visitor experience rather than a modular software product. The core offering is zoo admission featuring over 240 species across seven acres. This core experience is supported by a membership program (with tiered levels from Zoo for 2 through Family+), the Animal Adoption Program for symbolic adoptions, and the North Woods Gift Store and Bear's Den Cafe for retail and dining. Additional paid experiences include rides (Black Bear Express train and Wildlife Carousel), Charlie's Nature Play interactive play area, and private event rentals including birthday parties. Education offerings span ZooCrew summer camp, field trips with various program options including the Zoo2You mobile program, and PAWS art education. Conservation education is delivered through Rainforests, Rivers & Reefs exhibit, the Animal Ambassador Center, Science on a Sphere displays, and Red Panda Cam live streaming. Conservation Awareness Days events provide seasonal programming throughout the year. Corporate partnerships and legacy giving programs support fundraising.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zoo Admission Tickets Day admission tickets for visitors to explore the seven-acre zoo featuring over 240 species including Asian elephants, red pandas, cougars, eagles, seals, otters, and South American primates.
• Membership Program Year-round membership offering benefits including unlimited admission, 10% discounts at gift shop and cafe, discounted ride tokens, reciprocal benefits with over 100 zoos and aquariums, and exclusive local discounts. Includes Zoo for 2, Zoo for 4, Zoo for 5, Zoo for 6, Family, Family+, and ZIA levels, with separate New Bedford resident and non-resident pricing tiers.
• Birthday Parties Private room rental party packages including zoo admission for 30 guests, 2-hour room rental, digital invitations, dedicated party liaison, decor, and special gift for the birthday child. Add-ons include ride tokens, animal encounters, and face painting, with a large party option for two rooms.
• Private Event Rentals Rental of Wildlife Education Center classrooms and outdoor spaces for corporate meetings, bridal and baby showers, family gatherings, and special events with options for guided tours, face painting, and train/carousel rides.
• Animal Adoption Program Symbolic animal adoption program with plush adoption ($60) including personalized certificate, stuffed animal made from recycled materials, fact sheet, stickers, and pin; and digital adoption ($30) with photo and PDF certificate.
• North Woods Gift Store Retail gift shop offering toys, games, plush animals, clothing, gifts, and local artisan products including Jellycat plush, Fahlo bracelets, Melville Candy, and official BPZOO merchandise. Members receive 10% discount. Zoo admission not required to visit.
• Bear's Den Cafe On-site dining facility located in the Wildlife Education Center offering sandwiches and snacks provided by On the Go Catering, with indoor and outdoor seating and wildlife views. First zoo cafe in the USA to transition to all compostable packaging.
• Black Bear Express Train Ride Train ride attraction offering family entertainment with ADA-certified wheelchair accessibility. Tickets available for purchase at $3 per token per person with group rate of 2 tokens for $5. Children under 12 months ride free.
• Wildlife Carousel Carousel attraction featuring 18 handcrafted animals and a chariot, sponsored by Bristol County Savings Bank. ADA-certified and wheelchair accessible.
• Charlie's Nature Play Certified Wildlife Habitat play area featuring BUILD, GROW, IMAGINE, CONNECT, DIG, and CLIMB activity zones designed by Nature Explore to reconnect children and families to nature through unstructured play.
• ZooCrew Summer Program Educational day camp for children ages 4-12 running six weeks during summer, plus winter and spring sessions. Features crafts, games, activities, animal encounters, and themed weekly curriculum. Full day $350/week, half day $175/week (ages 4-5 only); winter/spring $60/day.
• Field Trips and Education Programs School and group programs including 20-minute ($40), 45-minute ($75), and guided tour ($50/30 minutes) options covering animal adaptations, habitats, life cycles, and conservation. Programs aligned to state and national education standards. Group admission: children under 18 $6, adults $10, staff/chaperones free.
• Zoo2You Mobile Outreach Program Mobile education program bringing animal ambassadors and educators to schools, community groups, libraries, and corporate events with 45-minute themed programs at $200 per session plus $1/mile mileage.
• PAWS: Pairing Art with Science Monthly art education program for children ages 5+ where participants create artwork inspired by animals using various mediums including painting, sketching, and clay.
• Innovation Staycation STEM-focused day program for children ages 6-10 featuring hands-on building and engineering activities.
• Animal Ambassador Center Environmental education facility housing the Animal Ambassador program started in 2014, introducing children and adults to wildlife through up-close animal encounters with education animals.
• Rainforests, Rivers & Reefs Exhibit Conservation-based exhibit recreating South American river system habitats and ocean environments from North Atlantic to Indo-Pacific and Caribbean, housing cotton-top tamarins, goeldi's monkeys, golden-headed lion tamarins, pygmy marmosets, and marine species.
• Science On a Sphere Interactive planetary data display using computers and video projectors to show animated images on a six-foot globe, explaining environmental processes like atmospheric storms, climate change, and ocean temperatures.
• Red Panda Cam Live streaming camera providing 24/7 access to the red panda habitat featuring Jacob, allowing remote viewing of the endangered red panda from home.
• Conservation Awareness Days Year-round event programming celebrating global conservation holidays including Party for the Planet, Pollinator Fest, World Ocean Day, Red Panda Day, Elephant Appreciation Day, and species-specific days for frogs, chinchillas, otters, and more.
• Corporate Partnerships Sponsorship and partnership opportunities for businesses including event sponsorships, marketing benefits, and employee engagement programs tied to signature events like FishBowl, Bunny Brunch, Red White and Brew, and Boo at the Zoo.
• Legacy Giving Program Estate planning giving options including charitable bequests, gift annuities, charitable trusts, gifts of life insurance, retirement fund designations, and qualified charitable distributions.
• Reciprocal Admissions Program Free or discounted admission to more than 100 zoos and aquariums nationwide through partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, available to BPZOO members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million visitors connected to nature since 2000 reopening
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Capeway RoofingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing financial support and marketing visibility for zoo events and programs.
• KAM AppliancescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing financial support and marketing visibility for zoo events and programs.
• Alera GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing financial support and marketing visibility for zoo events and programs.
• Northeast Broadcasting (NBCU4U)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing financial support and marketing visibility for zoo events and programs.
• Altus DentalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing financial support and marketing visibility for zoo events and programs.
• Hawthorn Medical AssociatescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing financial support and marketing visibility for zoo events and programs.
• Cove PediatricscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing financial support and marketing visibility for zoo events and programs.
• Safety InsurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing financial support and marketing visibility for zoo events and programs.
• Bristol County Savings BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner and Wildlife Carousel sponsor, providing financial support and marketing visibility.
• Planet FitnesscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing financial support and marketing visibility for zoo events and programs.
• Southcoast HealthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing financial support and marketing visibility for zoo events and programs.
• BayCoast BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing financial support and marketing visibility for zoo events and programs.
• Cape Cod Five Cents Savings BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing financial support and marketing visibility for zoo events and programs.
• Bright Bridge Credit UnioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing financial support and marketing visibility for zoo events and programs.
• On the Go CateringcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides sandwiches and snacks for Bear's Den Cafe, ensuring quality food for zoo visitors.
• KultureCitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to make zoo accessible to guests with sensory issues. Provides sensory bags with noise canceling headphones, fidget tools, and verbal cue cards.
• MT SolutionscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGenerous sponsor of BPZOO's Red Panda Cams, providing 24/7 live streaming access.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities, MGN Family Foundation, Fred Smialek, Henry and Marion Wainer, Tim and Melissa Walsh, MacLean Children's FundcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerContributors to Black Bear Express train ride funding.
• Re SourcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner that enabled Bear's Den Cafe to become the first zoo cafe in the USA to transition to serving all food/drink in compostable packaging.
• Red Panda NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld leader in red panda conservation. BPZOO became Partner in Conservation contributing to Plant a Red Panda Home campaign for reforestation in Nepal.
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership in AZA provides accreditation, Species Survival Plan participation, SAFE program access, and reciprocal admissions network with 100+ zoos.
• Belize Audubon SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBPZOO supports Belize Audubon Society in hiring staff for Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world's first jaguar preserve.
• Atlantic White Shark ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner working to increase knowledge of Atlantic white sharks and change public perception to conserve the species.
• Nature ExplorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational research-based company that designed Charlie's Nature Play using best educational theories and practices.
• University of Rhode IslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Animal Behavior internship allowing URI students to take Advanced Methods in Applied Animal Behavior course with experiential learning at BPZOO.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Franklin Park Zoo: AZA-accredited zoo in Boston operated by Zoo New England. Similar in mission and audience to BPZOO, offering 50% reciprocal admission to BPZOO members; comparable in collection scale and community programming.
• Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo: The only AZA-accredited zoo in Connecticut, located in Bridgeport. Highly comparable as a small-to-mid-size northeastern zoo with similar collection size, education focus, and community programming mission.
• Roger Williams Park Zoo: AZA-accredited zoo in Providence, RI — the closest geographic peer to BPZOO with similar scale (smaller urban zoo), comparable education programming, and shared audience in southern New England. Explicitly excluded from BPZOO's reciprocal admission program due to proximity.
• Como Park Zoo and Conservatory: Municipal zoo in Saint Paul, MN operated by the City of Saint Paul. Direct comparable on the public/private nonprofit support model and small-zoo operations; similar size, free/low-cost admission history, and community programming orientation.
• Capron Park Zoo: Small municipal zoo in Attleboro, MA offering free reciprocal admission to BPZOO members. Comparable as a small, family-oriented New England zoo without AZA accreditation, serving a similar suburban Massachusetts audience.
• Stone Zoo: Smaller AZA-accredited zoo in Stoneham, MA operated by Zoo New England. Highly comparable in scale (smaller zoo) and New England geography with overlapping family audience.

Regional players

• Southwick's Zoo: Privately-owned zoo in Mendon, MA serving the same Massachusetts/SouthCoast catchment. Comparable family attraction model but operates as a privately-held for-profit entity with a different revenue and ownership structure.

Others

• New England Aquarium: Major AZA-accredited aquarium in Boston with reciprocal membership benefits alongside BPZOO. Comparable as a regional nonprofit aquarium/zoo attraction serving similar family audiences with similar mission-driven, conservation-focused operations.

Broad incumbents

• Zoo New England: Nonprofit operator of Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo. Larger regional zoo operator with a broader institutional footprint; comparable business model (501(c)(3) supporting AZA-accredited zoos) but at greater scale than BPZOO.
• ZooTampa at Lowry Park: AZA-accredited mid-sized zoo in Tampa, FL. Comparable in collection breadth, education programming, and conservation mission, but serves a different region and operates at greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ButtonwoodParkZoo
• Facebookfacebook.com/BPZoo
• Instagraminstagram.com/buttonwoodparkzoo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/buttonwood-park-zoo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Buttonwood Park Zoological Society