Bob Patton
THE CENTRAL ZOO RENOVATION addressed critical needs in the heart of the Fort Wayne Zoo. As home to the original exhibits, circulation, and infrastructure, this core area serves as the primary hub directing visitors to major exhibit collections while showcasing several favorite species.
After decades of service, the area required a comprehensive remodel of infrastructure, habitats, animal care facilities, and visitor experience.
MULTIPLE CRITICAL ISSUES DEMANDED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION:
- Regular water main failures disrupted operations
- Power limitations prevented extended hours and evening events.
- The central pond suffered from decades of sediment buildup and decaying organic matter.
- The river otter exhibit featured only a small pool with no natural surfaces.
- Monkey Island suffered from tree loss, a leaking moat, no attached winter quarters and antiquated access requiring keepers to cross via planks for animal feeding and care.
- Additional problems included substandard door heights limiting keeper entry to the penguin house and sea lion life support building.
- Portions of the renovation area fell within flood plain restrictions, limiting modification options.
MSKTD & ASSOCIATES, working in collaboration with Bassett Associates and Hagerman Construction, implemented a strategically phased approach.
PHASES 1-2 ADDRESSED CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE:
- Pond dredging
- Complete water main replacement
- Electrical service upgrades enabling future lighting capabilities.
- Landscape enhancements provided immediate visual improvements to the pond shores and island.
PHASE 3 DELIVERED TRANSFORMATIVE UPGRADES:
Monkey Island rehabilitation included moat repairs, screening plantings, new off-exhibit winter quarters with direct keeper access and sculpted stone screening with waterfalls.
The habitat gained naturalistic rockwork perch trees, natural landscaping and a shallow stream.
The new 2,000+ square-foot river otter habitat provides diverse options for otter exploration with waterfalls, shallow pools, a deep viewing pool, water slide, enrichment dig pits, natural turf areas, and specialized feeding portals.
Secondary viewing opportunities and concealed off-exhibit quarters support animal husbandry and viewing.
Central Zoo upgrades included colorful plantings, widened pavements for increased capacity, more viewing opportunities, improved keeper access—transforming the zoo’s most critical circulation route into an enhanced guest experience.
MSKTD Services:
Zoo Planning
Exhibit Design
Architecture
MEP
Structural Engineering
Civil Engineering
Landscape Design