About Us

Nestled alongside Lake Decatur, Scovill Zoo is home to some 500 animals from six continents. Visitors to the zoo can see South African Cheetahs, an Australian Wallaby or Golden Lion Tamarins from Brazil.

The zoo’s history dates back nearly forty years to the late 1960s. The Kiwanis Club donated $14,000 for the construction of an animal farm. In 1967, Scovill Farm opened to the public complete with pigs, ducks, chickens, calves, goats and other farm animals. The total cost of the project—$56,000, a small sum by today’s standards.

Today, the zoo is home to hundreds of animals with cheetahs, camels, meekats, wolves, monkeys and more! Visitors may also enjoy our unique attractions, the Z.O. & O. Express and our Endangered Species Carousel, a ride specially designed for the zoo.

Zoo Staff

Director, Mike Borders
Assistant Director, Dave Webster
Education Coordinator, Sarah Reining

Zoo Keepers
Heather Adkesson
Amanda Brown
Jessica Munson
Nicole Zinn
Amanda Hall
Kim Downey

Office Coordinator, Kathy Winter
Maintenance, Kent Winchester

Decatur Park Board
Chris Riley, President
Jack Kenny, Vice President
Dr. William R. Van Alstine
Cindy A. Deadrick
Don Luy

Decatur Park District Administration
Bill Clevenger, Executive Director
Jim Kiefer, Director of Operations

Decatur Parks Foundation
Board Members
Judith Locke, President
Don Luy
Chris Riley
Dr. William R. Van Alstine
Jack Kenny
Cindy A. Deadrick
Dr. Stephen Huss
Dale Arnold
Dr. Michael Trice
Larry Foster
Kathy Wiesemann
Devon Buffett
Jim Neff
Kara Demirjian
Jan Bachrach
Patrick Mohan
Cindy Black
Mark Tupper
Pete Paulin