Offenbach's Forest Zoo Set for Expansion After Unanimous City Council Vote
Offenbach's Forest Zoo wins €500K expansion after city council approval
The city council of Offenbach unanimously approved plans to expand the Forest Zoo on February 12, 2026. A key element of the decision is the allocation of additional land to the zoo's operator at no cost.
Beyond the land expansion, the approved proposal includes a municipal construction grant of up to €500,000, earmarked in the 2026 budget. The funds are slated for disbursement following the adoption of the 2026 fiscal plan.
Grant Payment Tied to Conditions
The city has attached strings to the investment subsidy. The funds will be subject to verification during release, with expenditure documentation required. Additionally, the agreement will include a clawback clause allowing the city to reclaim the money if conditions are not met.
The zoo's annual operating subsidy will also see an increase. Starting in 2026, the city will provide €12,000, rising to €13,000 in 2027 and €14,000 from 2028 onward. This arrangement will remain in place until the end of 2035, provided the zoo maintains its current scale and quality of operations.
City to Cover Tree Inspections and Initial Maintenance
The expansion will incur additional costs for traffic safety measures, which the ESO (Offenbach's municipal service provider) will assume. The city has budgeted around €550 annually for tree inspections, with further expenses for tree maintenance. The first round of maintenance tied to the expansion is estimated at €13,000.
The proposal's justification references a feasibility study developed in coordination with the zoo's operator. It also notes that environmental considerations were addressed early in the planning process due to the zoo's forest location.
Nonprofit Association to Take Over Operations Later
The expansion and redesign are projected to cost approximately €500,000. Any additional funding needed will not come from public coffers but must be secured through sponsors or donations via the Offenbach Forest Zoo Association (Offenbacher Waldzoo e.V.), founded in August 2025. The association will also handle necessary building permits. Once its nonprofit status is officially recognized, it will take over the zoo's management.
Zoo Expresses Gratitude After Decision
Following the vote, the Forest Zoo shared a message of thanks on Facebook and Instagram, stating: "We are all the more delighted that the city council approved the proposal on February 12." The post also extended personal gratitude to Dominic Leiendecker and Mayor Felix Schwenke for their long-standing support, clarifying that the appreciation was "not tied to elections or political motives, but as one human to another."
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