Houston Zoo alters free afternoon admission policy

The Houston Zoo, located at 242 Howard Ave. in Holland, will be altering its free "First Tuesday" of the month afternoon (2 p.m. to closing) admission policy due to traffic congestion and safety concerns.

This change will take immediate effect and will result in the cancellation of the July 3 and Aug. 7 free afternoons.

The change was brought on by severe traffic congestion in Hermann Park and in the Texas Medical Center on June 5. This created a fire hazard and blocked ambulances and other emergency vehicles on their way to the emergency rooms at Ben Taub and Memorial Hermann hospitals.

"Approximately 12,000 people came to the Houston Zoo in a three-hour period that afternoon," said Houston Zoo President and CEO Deborah Cannon in the press release. "The Houston Zoo has worked diligently to identify opportunities for free and discounted admissions. However, in doing so we cannot adversely impact public safety. We must be a good neighbor to the Houston Parks and Recreation Department and to the Texas Medical Center."

"In taking this action, the Houston Zoo is being a good neighbor, taking responsible action and doing the right thing," said Texas Medical Center President Dr. Richard Wainerdi in the press release. "The zoo is just across Cambridge Street from the Texas Medical Center and two of Houston's level-one trauma centers at Ben Taub and Memorial Hermann hospitals. By eliminating the summer free 'First Tuesday' afternoons, traffic congestion will be reduced, ensuring that emergency vehicles arrive at TMC emergency rooms without needless delays."

For more information about the Houston Zoo, visit houstonzoo.org or call 713-533-6713.