Oregon Zoo buys former children's museum property to expand campus

The Oregon Zoo officially purchased a 3.4-acre property adjacent to its Washington Park campus on Wednesday. The site previously housed the Portland Children’s Museum and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

The zoo announced that the acquisition provides a stronger foundation for future conservation, education, and community projects. Heidi Rahn, the Oregon Zoo director, described the move as an exciting moment for both the institution and the local community.

Rahn noted that the former museum spaces inspired curiosity for generations of regional children. She said the zoo intends to continue that legacy of sparking imagination. The property has been unoccupied since its closure in June 2021. The building features boarded-up windows and closed play areas.

The site served as the home of the Portland Children’s Museum for 20 years. Before that, it housed OMSI for more than three decades. The zoo stated that the structure has structural issues. It was originally marked for demolition under the City of Portland’s 2018 Washington Park master plan.

Rahn said the property offers flexibility as the zoo implements its new campus plan. The zoo has operated from its current location since 1959. While the main campus covers 64 acres, only about 43 acres are usable due to geologic and environmental factors.

The zoo plans to evaluate how the new site can support animal well-being and guest experiences. Rahn mentioned that moving administrative functions and support services to the new property could create more usable space within the current campus footprint. No specific construction plans have been established yet.

Rahn reflected on the zoo’s 65 years of operation. She said the institution has improved habitats and facilities but has been constrained by physical limitations. The new property gives the zoo a chance to expand its operations.