The Oregon Zoo is developing a new 20-year master plan and is inviting the public to an early preview. Members of the public are encouraged to drop in at one of two open houses and view conceptual drawings and initial designs, chat with designers and animal experts and provide feedback.
The open houses, which are scheduled for Thursday, March 31, from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, April 2, from 9 a.m. to noon, will also include a brief presentation and video (5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on March 31 and 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on April 2). Both events will take place in the Cascade Grill, lower floor, and they do not require zoo admission.
“I’m really excited to see the new vision for the Oregon Zoo come to light in these initial designs and drawings,” said Kim Smith, Oregon Zoo director. “We’re working with an outstanding team of zoo design experts. There has been great synergy between the designers and our animal experts and educators as we consider how to create the best homes for our animals and a great experience for visitors. We love the early designs and think our community will be excited to see our initial progress.”
Zoo staff members from every division have been working with designers to develop the long-term master plan for zoo grounds while at the same time designing six animal exhibits and a new conservation education center funded under the 2008 Oregon Zoo Bond. The bond projects will be constructed over the next eight to 10 years.
The 20-year master plan is a map of the zoo showing both bond-funded projects and anticipated future projects. It will be final in October upon approval by the Metro Council. Schematic designs for the animal exhibits and the conservation education center illustrate the footprint of each building or exhibit, its floor plan, location within the zoo and its relationship to adjacent buildings or facilities. These first-stage designs will be completed in early summer.
The second phase of planning comes next year as final designs and construction drawings are developed for each exhibit; then construction will get under way. Two bond funded projects –– a new veterinary medical center and a penguin water-filtration system are currently under construction.
Voters in 2008 supported a bond measure to design and build new exhibits for elephants, primates, polar bears, hippos, California condors and a new conservation education facility as well as the veterinary center and penguin filtration system. The new master plan includes a strong focus on water and energy conservation and improved sustainability of all zoo operations, which was also identified in the bond measure.
The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission of inspiring the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Washington’s pygmy rabbits, Oregon silverspot and Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies, western pond turtles, Oregon spotted frogs and Kincaid’s lupine. Other projects include studies on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.