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NEWS
Parks! America makes play to add Texas safari park Aggieland to its roster
POSTED 24 Jan 2020 . BY Andy Knaggs
Visitors to Aggieland can feed a number of animals during drive-through and on-foot safari experiences Credit: Aggieland Safari
Aggieland Safari Adventure Zoo and Safari Park in Bryan, Texas, is the subject of a potential purchase by Parks! America, which currently owns and operates two regional theme parks, the Wild Animal Safari parks in Georgia and Missouri.

The zoo and safari park is owned and operated by the student body of Texas A&M University – students at the university are referred to as "Aggies" – and was only opened in May 2019.

Set in 450 acres of land about 120 miles from Houston, it features a 250-acre drive-through safari and an adventure zoo for an on-foot safari experience, including opportunities to feed animals such as giraffes, kangaroos, otters, birds and tortoises.

There are more than 100 species of wildlife on-site, as well as facilities such as a covered pavilion, an activity recreation area for kids and dining at the Savannah Grill.

Parks! America has entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent dated 15 January 2020 to acquire the park for US$7.5m (€6.8m, £5.7m). At least US$5m (€4.5m, £3.8m) of this will have to be raised through financing, with the remainder coming from available cash.

The Letter of Intent gives Parks! America a 90-day exclusivity period to execute a definitive agreement, subject to conditions such as satisfactory due diligence, the satisfactory completion of an audit of Aggieland, and necessary regulatory, corporate, shareholder and third-party approvals being met.

Dale Van Voorhis, chair and CEO of Parks! America, commented: "Aggieland Safari fits well in our existing park mix, providing geographic diversification. It is a new park, having recently completed a successful inaugural season, has a high-quality infrastructure and is home to more than 1,000 animals, birds and reptiles.

"We believe Parks! America will add value with our expertise in operating and marketing unique wild animal experiences."
RELATED STORIES
  May date announced for Texas safari park opening


A new zoo and safari park is set to open in Texas, US, next month, with the Aggieland Safari describing itself as the "Serengeti of the South".
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
+ More news   

COMPANY PROFILES
Polin Waterparks

Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin has since grown into a leading company in the waterpa [more...]
instantprint

We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
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FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

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NEWS
Parks! America makes play to add Texas safari park Aggieland to its roster
POSTED 24 Jan 2020 . BY Andy Knaggs
Visitors to Aggieland can feed a number of animals during drive-through and on-foot safari experiences Credit: Aggieland Safari
Aggieland Safari Adventure Zoo and Safari Park in Bryan, Texas, is the subject of a potential purchase by Parks! America, which currently owns and operates two regional theme parks, the Wild Animal Safari parks in Georgia and Missouri.

The zoo and safari park is owned and operated by the student body of Texas A&M University – students at the university are referred to as "Aggies" – and was only opened in May 2019.

Set in 450 acres of land about 120 miles from Houston, it features a 250-acre drive-through safari and an adventure zoo for an on-foot safari experience, including opportunities to feed animals such as giraffes, kangaroos, otters, birds and tortoises.

There are more than 100 species of wildlife on-site, as well as facilities such as a covered pavilion, an activity recreation area for kids and dining at the Savannah Grill.

Parks! America has entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent dated 15 January 2020 to acquire the park for US$7.5m (€6.8m, £5.7m). At least US$5m (€4.5m, £3.8m) of this will have to be raised through financing, with the remainder coming from available cash.

The Letter of Intent gives Parks! America a 90-day exclusivity period to execute a definitive agreement, subject to conditions such as satisfactory due diligence, the satisfactory completion of an audit of Aggieland, and necessary regulatory, corporate, shareholder and third-party approvals being met.

Dale Van Voorhis, chair and CEO of Parks! America, commented: "Aggieland Safari fits well in our existing park mix, providing geographic diversification. It is a new park, having recently completed a successful inaugural season, has a high-quality infrastructure and is home to more than 1,000 animals, birds and reptiles.

"We believe Parks! America will add value with our expertise in operating and marketing unique wild animal experiences."
RELATED STORIES
May date announced for Texas safari park opening


A new zoo and safari park is set to open in Texas, US, next month, with the Aggieland Safari describing itself as the "Serengeti of the South".
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford– Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx- Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Polin Waterparks

Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin has since grown into a leading company in the waterpa [more...]
instantprint

We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
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ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
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