BRI NG ING the Ocean to Nebraska by Aaron Schmok LASN Above: The Alaskan-themed exhibit at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE, features dancing water through sprays and spouts that are intermingled with 80 bronze sculptures created by Matthew Placzek. Background The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska, is home to over a dozen exhibits containing a diverse variety of wildlife including gorillas, elephants, hippos, and much more. In 2010, a master plan was created to allow for the inclusion of many unique attractions and exhibits, including the ideas behind an interactive splash pad area. The concept behind the splash pad didn’t materialize for several years until the vision of the Alaskan Adventure within the Coastal Shores area was conceived. This project completed two tasks as it included a water play area, as denoted by the master plan, and allowed for animals to be represented that were not found within the zoo through the implementation of a series of aquatic sculptures of whales, sea lions, fish, and more. The CEO and executive director for the zoo, Dennis Pate, explained that “the exhibit is a way to introduce kids to animals from Alaska at a very early age in a way that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to do.” The $14 million project was funded almost entirely by donors. The interactive water feature and play area is an educational and 36 Landscape Architect and Specifi er News
Landscape Architect October 2020: Page 36
