The William Land Park Zoo opened in 1927, according to the resolution. It later took on its most recognizable name, “Sacramento Zoo,” in the 1970s. With its move to Elk Grove, the Sacramento Zoological Society urged that the zoo must include reference to the original Land Park location with the name “Sacramento Zoo,” according to the city.

When the doors open for the new zoo, it'll be called the Elk Grove - Sacramento Zoo. It was the second name brought before the city council for a vote. Elk Grove City Council revisited the initial proposal of "The Greater Sacramento Zoo at Elk Grove" to make the city's name more prominent.

Three weeks after Elk Grove's City Council directed staff to present another alternative for the New Zoo at Elk Grove Project after rejecting the proposed “The Greater Sacramento Zoo at Elk Grove,” city staff revealed its newest recommendation.

Elk Grove officials have proposed the official name of its new zoo project after four years of negotiations and recent debate between the Elk Grove City Council and the Sacramento Zoological Society.