Before you see it, you hear the joyous laughter. As you walk through the tunnel that leads to the Shores Region of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, you see three breaching beluga whales glistening above a deep blue, watery surface. Getting closer, you see children huddled below the belugas, smiling with anticipation. The belugas "spit" back and forth, just missing each other, instead showering the youngsters below"?(R)? again, joyous laughter.

Shores Play Park is approximately 6,000 square feet and was constructed in the spring of 2016 as part of a larger half-acre project including a 4-D theater with ticket kiosk, a caf????(R)???(C), and the relocation of bronze manatee sculptures. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (CZA) in Columbus, Ohio, host approximately 2.1 million visitors a year. The zoo's mission, to lead and inspire by connecting people and wildlife, serves as a foundation in which the park celebrates creatures that guests will not see otherwise at the zoo, but whose stories remain integral with the zoo's values and aligned with the AZA's (American Zoological Association) focus on education.

Prior to the play space, the site was home to the Zoo's original aquarium, which was leveled in 2009. The site was vacant until 2016, but had always been earmarked as a play park, though discussions to develop the area did not begin until late 2014. The project went through an early programming phase in July of 2015. In early fall of 2015, a request for proposals was sent out to local design teams. However, the project remained contingent upon the passage of a levy. Once it was passed, the design team was selected and an accelerated schedule was developed. The park and 4-D Theater were completed for operation of Memorial Day weekend 2016, with the concession building opening a few weeks later.