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Ask the Memphian: Is the zoo still considering adding a members entrance off North Parkway?

By , Daily Memphian Published: March 16, 2026 4:00 AM CT

Today, we answer a question that touches on a once-hotly contested subject: Memphis Zoo parking!

Here’s what a reader asked:

We live in Hein Park and, a couple years ago, were very excited to hear that there was going to be an entrance for members to the Memphis Zoo off of North Parkway. However, that appears to be either dead in the water or stalled indefinitely. I have seen no movement. Has there been an update?


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We checked in about this with Nick Harmeier, the zoo’s chief marketing officer, who said the project β€œis definitely not dead.” The zoo is still set to add an entrance and parking lot off North Parkway.

Exactly who the lot is for, however, remains to be seen.

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Memphis Memphis Zoo Overton Park Midtown parking Subscriber Only

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John Klyce

John Klyce

John Klyce is an enterprise reporter with The Daily Memphian who writes a wide range of in-depth features, as well as profiles about local leaders, scientists, musicians, artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone else doing exciting and important work in this city. He previously spent four years with the Memphis Business Journal, where he covered public companies, startups, and innovation, and a fifth year with The Commercial Appeal, where he covered education, and chronicled how gun violence and poverty were affecting Memphis youth and their families. He has also been a fellow with the Institute for Citizens and Scholars. John has a B.A. in journalism from the University of Memphis and an M.F.A. in creative writing from Boston University.


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