Omaha, NE — Established in the 1950s, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium was created to unleash visitors’ sense of wonder across 160 acres of plants, animals, and unique habitats from around the world. Constructed in the City’s historic Riverview Park, founded in 1894, the Omaha Zoo’s owners have worked hard over the years to keep it upgraded and well maintained. As a result, the Readers’ Choice Awards have selected the Omaha Zoo as the #3 Zoo in the United States and has become a must-see destination for locals and travelers alike.
Part of these upgrades to the Omaha Zoo and Aquarium includes one of the most popular attractions for children, the Children’s Adventure Park. The five-acre plot of land combines outdoor adventures with hands-on learning opportunities for kids promoting both education and physical activity. The Adventure Park comes complete with approximately 4,000 square feet of SYNLawn artificial grass, including turf covered mounds.
Cultivating Relationships with SYNLawn Nebraska
Director of facilities of the Omaha Zoo and Aquarium, Mitchell Biggs, reached out to SYNLawn Nebraska due to the team’s reputation in Omaha as offering the highest quality artificial grass and installation. Owner Chad Schneider had previously been introduced to the Zoo five years before the project started. This initial introduction and ensuing relationship were vital for the Zoo in choosing SYNLawn Nebraska to contribute to the project.
The Omaha Zoo and Aquarium had previously worked with a competing turf company, whose synthetic turf installation failed to live up to park visitors’ daily wear and tear. Installer Alex Ulrich helped cultivate a new and improved artificial grass area using SYNLawn’s Play Platinum. The addition of artificial grass ensured a more durable space made for high traffic areas. In addition to durability, the new turf uses SYNLawn’s exclusive Super Yarn™ Technology, which incorporates antimicrobial properties making it safer for kids of all ages to roll around and play.
Completing a Unique Install with Artificial Grass
Omaha Zoo’s Children’s Adventure Park now contains two large mounds that are unique in that they use artificial grass over thick foam padding on top of solid concrete forms. The turf was meticulously shaped and adhered piece by piece, making for a time-consuming but rewarding install. A compass-style relief cut was used to ensure that seams were appropriately bonded and wouldn’t separate with the project’s outcome exceeding Mr. Bigg’s expectations.
The mission of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is to inspire, educate and engage people to serve as lifelong stewards for animals, habitats, and conservation. The Children’s Adventure Park helps the Omaha Zoo embody that mission. The addition of SYNLawn synthetic turf gives longevity to the area, plus a clean and safe surface for kids’ imaginations to play on.
