In 1958 the Washington Park and Zoo Railway was born and a regional treasure opened to the public.



I need your help because the Oregon Zoo, a service of Metro, and the City of Portland have decided to destroy this regional treasure and the magic of the Washington Park and Zoo Railway. In the Washington Park Master Plan they've decided to ignore 60 years of history and countless comments to repair the Washington Park and Zoo Railway by turning it into a café and 12' paved "multi-use" path.

As many of you know, in 2013, the main Washington Park route was damaged. It went from a magical 30 minute ride through the forest to the Rose Garden and back to a sad 6 minute ride that goes straight out, around a trestle, and back. Over the years hundreds of comment cards have been turned in with complaints asking Oregon Zoo to fix the full route. Community members continued their outcry to save the Washington Park and Zoo Railway on March 15th, 2018 during City of Portland public testimony, where they overwhelming disapproved with the City's plan to destroy the rail in favor of a 12' paved path. The community wants the full route repaired so their children and grandchildren can experience the magic they remember from their childhood when they rode the Washington Park and Zoo Railway. What we have now is a disappointment that does not inspire the hearts and memories of children but instead breaks the hearts of the parents and grandparents who desired a unique opportunity to a shared treasured experience with a different generation.

I can tell you with 100% conviction that if the City of Portland and Metro had worked with the staff of the Oregon Zoo, they could have easily raised the money and fixed the full route years ago by simply asking patrons to donate what they could towards the cause. I can tell you with 100% conviction that if the City of Portland and Metro asked the community to fundraise the money, the community would fund raise the money. I myself on March 15th, 2018, gave public testimony to the City of Portland Council that I'd be willing to start a Non-profit and do the fundraising for them. It went ignored but that offer still stands.

If you're interested in saving the regional treasure that is the Washington Park and Zoo Railway, please sign this petition, "like" our Facebook Page, and share both far and wide. A treasure is about to be destroyed but we can still save it.