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Mar 09, 2023

Hutchinson Zoo set to open new play area with river and mural

The Hutchinson Zoo has three new surprises coming this summer. All are free.

The Hutchinson Zoo has three new surprises coming this summer. All are free.

Hutchinson-based mural artist Brady Scott just completed a two-wall mural, which rests behind where the new Nature Play Area will be. The equipment, including a spider web and tunnel, is for children 10 and under, but the Zoo's new mural is intended for any age to view.

Across from the mural and play area is the lazy river, which they are calling Splash River. Visitors of all ages can take off their shoes and walk through the running water, observing animal prints along the way.

The zoo broke ground last May for the nature play area, which is east of the otter exhibit.

"It's going into new territory for the zoo," said Hutchinson Zoo Director Nicole Mantz.

The exhibit, which was to cost $300,000, is a partnership between The Land and Water Conservation Fund and the zoo. The 50% of what the zoo paid was split between the zoo's reserves and the Friends of the Zoo.

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The extra $50,000 came from a grant from T-Mobile.

"We wanted an opportunity for this area to have pollinator plants," Mantz said. "It's really about animal homes and animal habitats. So our big idea is who lives here?"

The mural is a contribution from the Friends of the Zoo, who hired Brady Scott. It features sunflowers and bees and birds as a backdrop for the pollinator garden.

"It also has a picture of our bison, Norman," Mantz said.

Norman is one of several bison who reside on the other side of the property. The zoo's next project will connect the Splash River area with the bison viewing area.

The play area will also feature a habitat table where children can design habitats for animals.

"So you can go up and see them up close," Mantz said. "We're so grateful for the community to help us out with all of these (things)."

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This summer, the zoo will be reimagining what comes next, after the bison area.

"We are actually going into a strategic master plan update," Mantz said. "That RFP is currently out. So once we hire that consulting firm, then they will help us determine what's next and how to get there. And we will be having some opportunities for community input as well."