Councillor Dave Haacke says there is no free ride: Peterborough Council is starting conversations about charging at the free zoo

Is the "Free Ride" Over? Why Charging for the Peterborough Zoo is the Wrong Move

If you grew up in or near Peterborough and you flip through your old family photo albums, I am willing to bet money on what you’ll find. There, sandwiched between Christmas mornings and first days of school, is a picture of you as a kid at the Riverview Park and Zoo.

For generations, this place has been the heartbeat of our community. It dates back to 1933, when Ross Dobbin, the GM of the PUC, returned to Peterborough from Florida with two alligators. By 1935, the zoo was officially born.

For 91 years, this gem has been accessible to everyone, regardless of their income. But that legacy is now under threat.

The City Takes Over, and the Meter Starts Running

The Riverview Park and Zoo was operated by the PUC until the City of Peterborough officially took over in April 2025. It has taken the City Council all of eight months to look at a 91-year legacy of free access and decide it’s time to monetize it.

Councillor Dave Haacke has been blunt, stating there is "no free ride." The conversation is starting with paid parking to generate revenue, but let’s be honest: does it ever stop there?

We are hearing talk of charging non-residents for visiting. We are hearing Sheldon Laidman, the City Community Services Commissioner, suggest that fees could be used as a "tool" to manage the busy parking lot. Mayor Leal has thrown his support behind the idea, noting that the park is "not free to maintain."

Parking Fees: The Thin Edge of the Wedge

They say they want to charge for parking to "manage" the crowds. They say they might only charge visitors from outside Peterborough.

But here is my worry: once you put up a gate, it’s only a matter of time before the price goes up, or the fees extend to everyone. With over 250,000 visitors annually, the Zoo is a massive draw. Being free is exactly what makes Peterborough special. It is a place that is truly inclusive—where a family struggling to make ends meet can have the exact same wonderful Sunday afternoon as the wealthiest family in town.

Putting a price tag on that experience kills the spirit of the park.

A Question of Priorities

Mayor Leal is right about one thing: maintenance isn't free. But it brings up an interesting question about priorities.

I can’t help but wonder what the entrance fees are for the new Pickleball park? That project is Mayor Leal's "baby," yet the conversation about squeezing revenue out of citizens seems squarely focused on the Zoo—a place that serves families, children, and history.

If You Want to Charge, Give Us Something New

You might be able to tell by the tone of this post that I am strongly against charging for what is currently offered at the Zoo.

If the City is desperate for revenue, they need to get creative, not greedy. If you want to charge admission, then build new, premium experiences that are worthy of a ticket price. create a new interactive exhibit, a guided behind-the-scenes tour, or a special event venue.

But do not start charging us for what has always been free. Do not take a 91-year-old gift to the people of Peterborough and turn it into just another transaction. The Riverview Park and Zoo is special because it belongs to all of us. Let’s keep it that way.