Bramble Park Zoo Attendance Rebounds as 2026 Revenue Tops $525,000 in Watertown, SD
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Bramble Park Zoo’s newly released September 2026 Status Report shows a year of mixed attendance trends but steady financial performance, with several categories rebounding from 2025 while others continue to lag behind pre‑2024 levels.
The report, dated September 20, provides a detailed comparison of year‑to‑date attendance and revenue across four years. It shows overall zoo attendance at 47,628 visitors so far in 2026, slightly above the 45,995 recorded at the same point in 2025 but still below 2023 and 2024 totals.
“TOTAL — 47,628,” the report states for 2026, compared to “53,977” in 2023 and “60,343” in 2024.
Attendance Trends
Adult attendance remains below recent years, with 13,488 adult visitors reported year‑to‑date. Youth attendance shows a similar pattern, reaching 6,836, up from 2025 but still trailing 2023 and 2024.
“Adult — 13,488” and “Youth — 6,836” appear in the 2026 column.
The Lake Area Zoological Society (LAZS) admissions category remains one of the zoo’s strongest contributors, holding steady at 11,893 visitors — nearly identical to 2025.
One standout category is “Free Days,” which climbed to 2,282 visitors in 2026, the highest of the four‑year comparison.
“Free Days — 2,282” is listed under the 2026 column.
The zoo also saw a notable 15% increase in reciprocity admissions, a category that did not exist in prior years, reaching 203 adult and 141 youth visitors in 2026.
Revenue Performance
Despite fluctuations in attendance, Bramble Park Zoo’s financials remain stable. Total receipts for 2026 reached $525,757, up from $463,816 in 2025 and nearly matching 2023 levels.
“TOTAL RECEIPTS — $525,757” is shown for 2026.
Admissions revenue rose to $289,897, up from $263,464 in 2025. Gift shop sales also improved, climbing to $74,339.
Education program revenue saw a healthy increase, reaching $32,472, the highest since 2023.
“Education Programs — $32,472” appears in the 2026 column.
Additional receipts — including coin‑operated machines, memberships, and donations — totaled $102,739, a significant rebound from $82,485 in 2025.
Capital Improvement Fund
The zoo’s Capital Improvement Fund shows $19,230 in designated donations for 2026, a sharp drop from the unusually high $446,884 recorded in 2025.
“Donations (designated to BPZ) — $19,230” is listed for 2026.
Overall Outlook
The 2026 report reflects a year of stabilization for Bramble Park Zoo. Attendance remains below peak years but shows signs of recovery, while revenue continues to trend upward across most categories. The zoo’s strong performance in memberships, education programs, and free‑day participation suggests continued community engagement heading into the final quarter of the year.
The report will be presented at the upcoming Proposed Parks, Recreation and Forestry Board Agenda at the Prairie Lakes Wellness Center on Tuesday, September 29, 2026
