Supporting family-friendly fun, Aurelio’s Pizza signed an agreement to become the official pizza of Lincoln Park Zoo and sponsor of its United Run for the Zoo and Jammin’ at the Zoo summer concert series.

Aurelio’s pizza with its thin crust and signature sauce will be the official pizza available at Park Place Café. And, to ensure the product quality that is synonymous with the Aurelio’s brand, the pizzeria is bringing its special pizza making processes to the zoo.

Aurelio’s also will be a sponsor of the upcoming United Run for the Zoo. And, along with receiving other promotional considerations, runners will love that Aurelio’s will be providing its delicious pizza at the United Run for the Zoo Post Party. The agreement also includes sponsorship of the popular Jammin’ at the Zoo series.

Connecting millions of people each year with nature, Lincoln Park Zoo, established in 1868, is a family-oriented wildlife experience advancing the quality of animal care, education, science, and conservation. It operates one of the country’s largest zoo-based conservation and science programs and nationally lauded educational programs. Lincoln Park Zoo depends primarily on the support of visitors, members, and donors.

“Chicago has many wonderful attractions; it’s part of what makes our city great. But not all of them are open year-round or affordable for families,” says Kirk Mauriello, COO of Aurelio’s Pizza. “Lincoln Park Zoo is open 365 days a year and is still free. It’s educational, fun, affordable, and wholesome family entertainment. Both Aurelio’s and Lincoln Park serve families with the best we have to offer. As a family pizzeria for 55 years, we wanted to enhance the zoo experience by providing our pizza at the park and also in sponsoring the zoo’s signature events. Especially since more than two-thirds of the zoo’s operating budget—it takes $62,000 a day to keep the zoo free and open to everyone 365 days a year—comes from revenue from food service, retail shops, parking, and fundraising activities. We are so pleased to be part of supporting this experience.”

“Lincoln Park Zoo is extremely pleased to bring Aurelio’s into the zoo family. We now have a Chicago hometown, high-quality pizza to offer the zoo’s 3.5 million guests. We are thrilled and believe this will be a real asset for zoo visitors,” says Bryan Anderson, vice president of corporate alliances at Lincoln Park Zoo.