Central Park Zoo
Giraffes, bears, fish, turtles, ducks and dogs
Leon, the giraffe. Local artist and sculptor Albert Guibara, created Leon, the giraffe, as a gift to the City of San Mateo in 1978. Leon is in Central Park near the corner of 5th and Laurel Avenues. Leon is named after Albert’s father.
The Taylor pair of bears. In 2016, longtime Arboretum Society member and volunteer Polly Taylor donated these two bears to Central Park in honor of her late husband and son. They were created by Albert Guibara and are done in the same style as Leon. They are located in the Park panhandle, just south of the Rose Garden.
Central Park does have a few animate animals. The Japanese Garden is home to many colorful koi carp. Turtles also make their home there. And, occasionally, we see mother ducks bring her ducklings to the pond for paddling lessons.
You already know about the dog statue just outside the Arboretum Society gates. Do you know the Victorian Garden has a pair of small giraffes? Can you find them?