$100 Million Donation To SF Parks - Will Our Zoo See Any For Our Lions & Chimps?

Well, well.  Lots 'O Money has dropped in the hands of the Recreation and Park Department, will Our Zoo finally be recognized as part of that department and benefit?

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/airbnb-ceo-donation-parks-lurie-22516918.php?

I certainly didn't have writing a blog post on tonight's agenda, but this is what happens when I go against my own rules for maintaining peace, and look at email after dark.

Excerpts from the article, highlighted below.

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky is committing the funds, which will be delivered in two phases, the city announced Monday. The first $39 million will help San Francisco finish five park projects in the South of Market, Bayview-Hunters Point, the Mission, Potrero Hill and downtown. City parks officials will spend a year figuring out how to best use the remaining $61 million from Chesky.

Ahhh, Park Officials need to hand over $20 Million to Our Zoo for two desperate projects that they are well aware of, so Our Lions and Chimpanzees don't have to leave.

Chesky told the Chronicle he felt compelled to give back because of the success of Airbnb, which he helped create in San Francisco nearly two decades ago. The short-term rental company is now worth more than $100 billion; Chesky is worth about $13 billion, according to Forbes.

“A lot of my success I feel like I could attribute to the magic that is San Francisco — the community, the incredible people here,” Chesky said. “I love this city and I, for a long time, have wanted to give back, and it was really a matter of how to give back.”

Bravo to this guy.  Time will tell if I'll give RecPark a Bravo.

Chesky, who is part of a business leaders’ council that consults with Lurie on economic issues, said he had worked with the mayor’s team for a few weeks to figure out the best way to deploy the funds. He said he was drawn to the idea of giving money to parks because they are “accessible to everyone” and the impact of the funding will be visible “very quickly.” Lurie’s administration chose the projects that will benefit from the first wave of funds.

Of course the Mayor had no care for Our Zoo.  But, that Embarcadero project is getting a huge slice of the pie.

“This is a game-changing investment in San Francisco’s parks and people,” Sarah Madland, general manager of the city parks department, said in a statement. “It means long-awaited park projects move forward, more spaces for children and families to play, and stronger, more connected neighborhoods.”

Doesn't sound like the new-ish GM gives a crap about Our Zoo either.

Chesky, for his part, said he would “love to be more involved in San Francisco” going forward.

“I don’t have an immediate plan beyond this, but I absolutely would love to continue to help the city,” he said. “This is a first step … and I want to learn from it. And based on what I learn, that will probably guide what I do next.”

Hello Mr Chesky,

Let me introduce you to Jasiri, Lulu, Qadeer and Nick.  For the first time in it's history, Our San Francisco Zoo, will be without Lions and Chimpanzees.  Two anchor species are set to be rehomed, because there is no funding to build them new homes at Our Zoo.  Our Zoo has suffered financially, due to previous mismanagement, and lack of Cost of Living increases to it's management fee from The City, for thirty-three years. New Leadership seems to be trying to gain financial stability, but it will take more to keep these beloved species.

At first glance, there is seemingly no contact info for this guy, but if there was, I'd be on it.  

That said...  Is Zoo CEO Cassandra Costello?

She should be, because it's highly doubtful Mayor Lurie or RecPark Officials will share any of this donation with Our Zoo.

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Related Posts:

*Should The City Feel Some Obligation To Invest In Our Zoo? ...Invest In Our Lions?

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2026/09/should-city-feel-some-obligation-to.html

*If The Zoo Had The Funds Pt One - Why Can't Our Lions & Chimpanzees Stay Here?

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2026/10/if-zoo-had-funds-pt-one-why-cant-our.html

*All My Posts Regarding The Zoo Seeking To Rehome Our Lions & Chimpanzees

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2026/10/all-my-posts-regarding-zoo-seeking-to.html

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I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety  , #SanFranciscoZooCEODirectorCassandraCostello , #FormerSanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #FormerSanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed , #SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie , #AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence , #Pandas , #Bison ,  #Gorillas ,  #Lemurs , #Lions