Midland Zoo Continues Work Toward 2028 Opening

MIDLAND, TX — Zoo Midland, a more than $100 million project, continues to build toward its projected opening in 2028.

The planned 52-acre complex, which will be on the land of the former Nueva Vista Golf Club, will be the fifth-largest zoo in Texas.

Adjacent to Zoo Midland will be The Preserve, which will cover more than 178 acres. The area will include dining, retail and entertainment options, but more than 40% of the land is designated for parks and family areas.

City of Midland officials and project leaders gathered last week for a groundbreaking ceremony. 

Jeff Beard, a board member for Zoo Midland, said the zoo will be the first built from the ground up in 25 years.

“It’s great because we have an open piece of property with nothing here. The bad part is there’s nothing here so we have a lot of infrastructure work that we need to do. In about 120 days or so, the actual zoo property will be ready for us to start building on,” said zoo director Jason Green in an interview with NewsWest9 in Midland.

The zoo will be employing 50 full-time employees and 50 part-time employees before opening day.