Our History
2008 - 2009 Recession
Because of fiscal issues, city manager, Sean Stegal proposes closing the farm zoo and eliminating the resident deer, elk and bison. The Friends of Lords Park Zoo, a community advocacy group, is organized by Laurie Faith Gibson.
2009
The Friends of Lords Park Zoo is incorporated as a non-profit group with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office and receives the benefits of nonprofit status through its membership in the city of Elgin’s Community Network.
2010
The Elgin City Council forms the “Lords Park Task Force” to make recommendations for improving Lords Park. These numerous public meetings are very well attended by residents and there is strong community support for keeping the resident elk, deer & bison and reopening the “farm zoo.”
2012
After several years of fundraising, the FLPZ contributes $25,000 towards the construction of a new bison enclosure.
2013
Elgin city manager Sean Stegal informs the FLPZ if they develop a viable business plan, he will support a two-year pilot program to the Elgin city council to reopen the “farm zoo.” This business plan is accepted by the city manager’s office and the Elgin city council approves this plan to reopen the farm zoo in 2014.
The FLPZ pays for a buck deer (later named “Spike” by the Lords Park work crew) from the elk herd in Elk Grove village to be vasectomized and transported to the existing Lords Park elk herd. As previously agreed, the FLPZ pays for the transportation of one of the of the buck elk born from that herd to another Illinois location.
2014
The Friends of Lords Park Zoo organizes residents to greet and count zoo visitors during the 144 days of the two-year pilot program. Yearly orientation sessions are conducted and a season ending “volunteer appreciation picnic” is held for all volunteers. These volunteer orientation sessions and appreciation picnics become annual events.
The FLPZ completes the required IRS paperwork and is recognized as a charitable non-profit organization. Visitor attendance for the 2-year pilot program is over 22,000 and the FLPZ receives an “Elgin Image Award” from the Elgin Heritage Commission.
The FLPZ continues to raise money for programming and fully underwrites free educational programming provided by the Elgin Historical Society, Elgin Public Museum, Chamber Music on the Fox, Side Street Studio and partners with the Gail Borden Library to present free, educational programing for a variety of age groups.
2015
The Friends of Lords Park Zoo receives the “Outstanding Organization of the Year” award from Hanover Township and purchases 3 deer which are donated to the city.
2017
A young bison is purchased ($1200) from Fermi Lab’s annual bison auction by the Friends of Lords Park Zoo and is transported by the FLPZ from Fermi Lab and donated to the city of Elgin. In a city-wide vote, this new bison is given the Native American name Takoda meaning “friend to all.” Her name is announced by Mayor Kaptain at a May heritage month event.
2018
In order to more formally recognize the considerable land contribution and other philanthropic gifts of Mary and George Lord, the FLPZ commissions their portraits be painted by Elgin artist, Earl Burnidge and hung (with interpretative signage researched by the Elgin Historical Society) in the Lords
Park Pavilion.
2021
The FLPZ commissions and finalizes it’s new logo. With the help of research by the Elgin Historical Society, the area of the “farm zoo” is proposed to be renamed “Tefft Farm” in recognition of the dairy farm owned by Elgin physician and first mayor, Joseph Tefft. This name change is supported by the Elgin Parks & Recreation Advisory Board and the Elgin city council approves this name change.
2022
The “farm zoo” is officially dedicated as “Tefft Farm” by Mayor David Kaptain on 6/04/2022.
2023/4
Program expansions include partnering with the Elgin Historical Society for a Juneteenth week event celebrating famous African American Elginites with biographical posters and a concert featuring compositions by African American composers.
Sunday afternoon Mariachi concerts are also added to Tefft Farm programming. “Buffy” (a year old bison from Colorado which was rejected by it’s mother) joins Takoda and the city announces plans to add one more bison and 4 deer to the current herd. These 4 additional deer are purchased ($4200) and transported ($1700) to Tefft farm in October, 2024 by the Friends of Lords Park Zoo.