WILDLANTERNS UPDATE
WildLanterns opening will be delayed tonight, November 27, 2024, by 1 hour and opening at 5:00 p.m.

COMMUNITY ACCESS PROGRAM

A ZOO FOR ALL

 

Woodland Park Zoo’s Community Access Program (CAP) partners with non-profit and human service organizations to help make the zoo a more accessible space and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.


A CAP Partnership Includes

  • Access to the zoo through:
    • Free general admission tickets valid for regular daytime admission
      • CAP tickets are to be distributed to the individuals served by the partner organizations
      • CAP tickets are not valid for special events
    • Virtual zoo experiences
    • Discounted food and beverages
    • Public transportation options in partnership with King County Metro and King County Parks
  • Community conservation programs
  • Free/discounted programs

 

Organization Eligibility Requirements

CAP partners with direct service organizations that offer services to economically under-resourced individuals or to those who face cultural or ability barriers to engaging with the zoo. Examples of partners have included, but are not limited to, low-income housing or people experiencing homelessness, immigrant and refugee community members, Tribal social services, individuals with disabilities, at risk youth, and many others.

Please see below for eligibility requirements:


General CAP Partners

  • A nonprofit with verifiable 501(c)3 status OR a Washington state or local government entity OR a Tribal organization that serves under-resourced individuals.
  • Community groups without 501(c)3 status may also apply.
  • Religious organizations should demonstrate a secular community function that provides social services to under-resourced communities regardless of religious affiliation without promoting belief in a particular faith.

E-CAP Partners

  • ECEAP and HeadStart programs that are unable to offer a field trip for their students. Programs that are eligible and able to offer field trips should instead apply on our field trips page.

The Community Access Program does not support:

  • Educational and school-based organizations (See Field Trips) eligibility)
  • Volunteer/Staff Appreciation events
  • Non-profit or for-profit fundraising
  • Prizes and/or promotional giveaways

Curious if your organization is eligible for CAP? Contact us at cap@zoo.org to introduce your organization and learn more about CAP qualifications.

How to Apply

 

How to Become a CAP Partner

2025 Partnership Requests are currently closed


Partnership applications open three times per year, and all ticket requests must be made during one of these application windows. Organizations must apply yearly to request CAP tickets and other partnership components through this application process. Partners may request CAP tickets twice per year. For more information about the ticket request process, please see the section below.


2025 Application Windows



Winter


Open:
October 30, 2024

Close:
November 26, 2024

Tickets Distributed Between
January 6 – January 20, 2025


Spring


Open:
March 5, 2025

Close:
March 26, 2025

Tickets Distributed Between
May 15 – May 30, 2025


Summer


Open only to 1st-time/new CAP applications or existing partners who did not apply in winter/spring

If you received tickets during the winter and/or spring request periods, you are ineligible for tickets during this request period.

Open June 11, 2025
Close July 2, 2025

Tickets Distributed Between
August 8 – August 25, 2025

 

Join the Mailing List

Please join our mailing list using the button below to be notified when partnership requests open for 2025.


 


Are You an Individual?

Due to the volume of requests, the Community Access Program is unable to provide tickets directly to individuals. Individuals seeking admission options are welcome to contact CAP partners in their area or refer to the zoo discount program for alternatives.


CAP Partner Organizations 2022

 

 

CAP Ticket Alternatives


Discover Ticket


The $5 Discover Ticket is available for foster and kinship Families* or recipients of Washington-Issued EBT/Washington Quest, P-EBT, SUN Bucks or WIC Assistance. Valid for daytime admission, excludes all other separately ticketed events.

For more details please go to our discounts page


Explorer Pass Membership


A $35 membership for foster and kinship families* or recipients of Washington-Issued EBT/Washington Quest, P-EBT, SUN Bucks or WIC Assistance. Once a member, you will have unlimited zoo admission for a full year.

For more details please go to our membership page

 

Questions?

Please email us your questions at cap@zoo.org.

Our Mission

Woodland Park Zoo saves wildlife and inspires everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.

Land Acknowledgment

Woodland Park Zoo recognizes that these are the lands of the Tribal signatories of the Treaty of Point Elliott. We acknowledge their stewardship of this place continues to this day and that it is our responsibility to join them to restore the relationship with the living world around us.


5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103   |  206.548.2500  |   zooinfo@zoo.org


Association of Zoos & Aquariums
Seattle Parks & Recreation
Humane Certification