NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A proposed addition to the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk includes a “tree top trail” that would let red pandas and other critters scurry over the heads of visitors.
It’s part of a new expansion project unanimously greenlighted last week by Norfolk’s City Planning Commission that seeks to expand on the city’s goals of adding educational programs and other experiences at the zoo.
The “EdVentures Campus,” designed by Norfolk-based GARC architects, would go behind the zoo’s reptile building just east of the fountain plaza at the zoo’s entrance.
The two big pieces of the project are the “EdVenture Pavilion” and the “Animal Exploration Pavilion. The EdVenture building will be two stories and feature indoor and outdoor classrooms, an exhibition hall and more.
The one-story Animal Pavilion will have rooms that allow visitors to interact with the animals and zookeepers, with access to outdoor habitats. These will feature “animal ambassadors” such as red pandas and sloths.
There will also be two small outdoor amphitheaters, an outdoor kitchen and areas highlighting the zoo’s “turtle oasis.”
Though the part that unsurprisingly caught the attention of city officials was that “tree top trail.” The elevated walkway will feature smaller animals like red pandas and connect three outdoor habitats to the Animal Pavilion.
GARC drew inspiration from the trails at Philadelphia’s “Zoo360” and the Maryland Zoo, where animals (even those as big as tigers) get to roam around overhead.
The one big question: what about the animal poop? GARC says the Virginia Zoo’s looking to utilize “diapers” underneath parts of the trail to catch any droppings.
“We had a lot of questions from [Norfolk’s Architectural Review Board] … about how you catch the poops,” said a laughing Suping Li with GARC during a presentation on the project.
At this time, there’s no estimated opening date or price tag for the project, and it still awaits city council approval. A zoo spokesperson said they expect to make an official announcement with more details about the funding campaign this summer.
The City of Norfolk has been putting million of dollars in funding toward maintenance/improvements at the zoo, including a commitment of $2 million in matching funding to support the zoo’s Exploration and Adventure Capital Campaign.
“To maintain relevance and thrive as a community asset and wildlife conservation institution, the Virginia Zoo must be creative and thoughtful in its offering of educational programs, events, and new and engaging animal experiences,” according to information about the campaign commitment in Norfolk’s proposed FY25 budget document. “…The campaign includes improved connectivity and technology – live animal webcams, 3D Zoo news, mobile apps, augmented reality, and immersive experiences with scientists and animals.”
The city’s commitment runs from FY2023 to FY2026, and $1 million has been appropriated so far.
Meanwhile $4.57 million in the city’s FY25 proposed budget will go toward the zoo’s Africa Trail surfacing replacement, perimeter fencing repairs, the Africa Bongo House demolition and replacement and more.
The zoo just completed renovations of its Trail of the Tiger exhibit last summer. Other recent additions include a new electric train that started in August.
You can read more about the expansion project in city planning documents and watch the presentation to the planning commission here.