Oregon Built This Railway Once. Help Build It Again.
Get Involved
Metro has unanimously expressed its support and committed $50,000 in matching funds toward Phase 1. We're raising the remaining $200,000 to bring it in. Every gift gets us closer.
Donate
Your gift funds the engineering and feasibility work that proves this restoration is possible and unlocks the larger public investment that gets trains running again.
Make a GiftVolunteer
From track clean-up days to grant writing, tabling to social media, there's a role that fits your skills. Join the volunteers who've kept this project alive.
Join the TeamWant to show your support without a financial commitment? Sign our petition — every signature adds to the public record that this project matters.
Sign the PetitionWhy the Zoo Railway
A Ride Like No Other
A Win for the Zoo
More Than a Ride
A Journey Into Learning
A Piece of Oregon's Past
It's simply fun. A 25-minute ride through the forest, open to people of all ages and abilities, that draws locals and tourists alike.
A win for the train is a win for the zoo. The railway was the zoo's golden goose for decades, generating more in ticket revenue than it cost to operate, and helping fund animal care and zoo improvements along the way.
The railway connects the zoo to Washington Park's most popular destinations, all of which struggle with parking.
The full ride carries riders through Washington Park's forest, a natural setting to teach forest ecology, engineering, and railway history.
The Washington Park & Zoo Railway is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's a piece of community infrastructure worth preserving for the next generation.
Community Insights
I have sweet memories of riding the Washington Park Zoo Train with my young children. It wasn't just a ride; it was joy and excitement on railway tracks
As the mother of an autistic child, the train is a draw to the zoo — and a break when we're overwhelmed.
I know what a magical ride it was through the park. It would be a tourist attraction and create revenue, while bringing joy to those who ride it.
News, Events & Media
From actions by Metro and the City of Portland to where you can meet our outreach team, see what's happening.
View News, Events & Media