HUTCHINSON, KS – The Hutchinson Zoo held an official groundbreaking ceremony for the new Splash River and Nature Play Expansion on Wednesday.
The former parking lot will turn into a natural-looking splash river with inclusive play elements and green space with shaded seating.
The additions will be adjacent to the North American River Otter Exhibit that opened in the fall of 2020.
Funding for the Nature Play Expansion has been provided in part by a grant from The Land and Water Conservation Fund, and cooperative support from The City of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Friends of the Zoo and community donors who were recognized at the ceremony Wednesday.
The Splash River is designed to allow children under ten to safely observe, explore and investigate a naturalistic creek bed.
Professional Engineering Consultants designed the Nature Play Expansion project. Hutchinson native Nick Staib is the project manager. Ward Davis Builders is the contractor on the project. The project completion target is fall 2022.