Oklahoma City Zoo Concept Master Plan, 2017
Oklahoma City Zoo Society
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Ursa International was asked to create a Concept Master Plan in conjunction with a Business Plan undertaken by Schultz Williams. We had the chance to comprehensively review the entire +120 acre site.
We developed concept plans for many new projects recently approved by the Trust. The highest priories, as agreed upon by several focus groups was a major exhibit sequence from the entry gate occupying 18 acres, a new Africa habitat renovating existing historic buildings, and new construction, a train, feedings, & behind the scenes tours. a major conservation area “The Preserve”. In addition, a new large Event Space is envisioned that overlooks a new Seal/Sealion habitat which overlooks the Zoo lake. A Farm area is proposed to care for domestic breeds and with agricultural themes, demonstrations, petting, and pony rides. Many other smaller projects include Adventure Islands aerial trail system, new Condor flight cage and Galapagos Tortoise habitats as well as an Amphibian garden are planned as infill to major projects. The zoo had us look at a “project of opportunity” across the lake on city parklands. We proposed a major nature park with camping, “glamping” and zip-lines and trails for groups of all kinds. The Zoo is currently in discussion with a “Girl’s” organization to build their camp on the site.
In addition to the strong Zoological exhibits, several Botanical Gardens are proposed to build on the zoo’s desire for a more beautiful campus. We consulted with Tres Fromme to integrate the garden spaces within the zoo, including Pollinator Gardens, Formal Water Gardens, Kopje succulents garden as well as plaza and terraces on this lake side site.
The 10 year/$71M Master/Business Plan was approved in October 2017 and we have begun working on The Condor Mesh Structure over existing WPZ grottos, a new Galapagos Tortoise habitats in the Children’s Zoo and new climbing structures in the existing. Orang Habitats as early action projects before Africa begins. The plans below represent some of the concept plans that were generated during the planning process for two of the seven main projects.
