The Tulsa Zoo is an 84-acre, non-profit zoo located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Tulsa Zoo is owned by the City of Tulsa, but since 2010 has been privately managed by Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc. The zoo is in Mohawk Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States.

The new playground is in the heart of the Tulsa Zoo and is intended to bring visitors closer to nature and to better understand how animal and human behaviors are similar. Completed for Spring Break 2020, the Tulsa Zoo Helmerich Playground quickly became a much-loved amenity within the zoo.

Not only can parents rest under the shade of the large existing trees, but children can be wild and play creatively following the theme of the space, "Behaving Like Animals." The playground creates positive outdoor experiences that connect and informally educate visitors about the similarities between behaviors used by both humans and animals. Creating positive experiences is key to building empathy and laying
the foundation for a conservation ethic, one of the goals of the zoo.

"Inspiring passion for wildlife in every guest, every day" is the mission of the Tulsa Zoo, which guided the playground design.

Peak season for the Tulsa Zoo typically begins during spring break when kids and families are often found shaking off winter chills and enjoying the spring weather. This peak season also means peak revenue generation for the zoo.

A Demanding Timeframe
With only one calendar year to design, bid, and construct the new playground, the challenge was set and LandPlan accepted. Working closely with zoo staff and the playground equipment manufacturer, LandPlan began the ambitious journey to design and build the new themed playground to open in time for spring break in 2020.

In the spring of 2019, the design of the 3-million-dollar playground started immediately. LandPlan and zoo staff began discussing the site, its limitations, utility conflicts, staff expectations, and the importance of tree preservation.

The Layout
Three full-size Water Oaks (Quercus nigra) were the primary concern for preservation since they provided great shade and character for the playground. Once all utilities were identified, coordination began to situate the massive footers of the playground equipment to avoid existing utilities and reroute blocked utilities to maintain accessible service for future maintenance.

 
Next, LandPlan evaluated the pedestrian circulation between the playground equipment and worked to create a pathway system that allowed for maximum sight lines. The thought was to allow parents the ability to supervise from any point in the playground without obstructed views and the comfort of shaded seating provided from the Oaks.

The site was surrounded on all four sides by paving, utilized by zoo patrons as access walks, and utilized as maintenance roads by zoo staff on UTVs. Three of the walks created the playground perimeter but the fourth one had to be removed and realigned to allow for the playground to expand. After completing this initial working layout, the design began to take shape and the theme and character of the playground began to come to life.

In the center of the playground sits a large custom built observation deck. The deck was located directly in the root zone of the largest oak on site. This would provide a great union between the tree's shade and the deck's users, but the impact of the deck had to be minimized so the root zone remained undisturbed.

The Building Blocks
To eliminate the hefty toll of multiple footings needed to build such a large deck, LandPlan specified heavy duty deck foot anchors. These anchors provided maximum stability for the deck while minimizing the disturbance to the root zones.

To create a safe and protrusion free deck surface, all deck boards were fastened with hidden deck fasteners, creating a smooth and seamless deck surface.

Delta River fencing (sourced from Vietnam) installed on eucalyptus posts brings the zoo's character into the playground and further helps with its theming.

The site needed to accommodate special evening events at the zoo which require electrical needs, lighting, and tent placement. Custom power pedestals were strategically located to allow for event power distribution for iconic events hosted by the zoo like HallowZOOeen and WALTZ on the Wild Side.

Paving-embedded, photovoltaic LED lights delineate the walkway near the deck and allow for safe and easy navigation through the playground area at night.

Multiple safety surfaces were required and requested by the zoo. Custom play features exceeding industry standard fall heights required custom fall zone safety surfacing. Three safety surface materials including engineered wood fiber (EWF), poured-in-place rubber (PIP), and synthetic turf create multiple play areas and sensory experiences, and delineate spaces without tall vertical barriers.

Custom PIP and turf use integrated custom graphics and 3D elements to visually reference animals and habitats; and custom use zones accommodate the unique play features and higher-than-standard fall heights. Custom signs with bright colors and graphics provide information for adults and young readers.

Creating a smooth and ADA compliant experience throughout the playground with differing surfaces was a challenge. Combining ADA ramps into and out of EWF and connecting these play areas to the rest of the playground allows for better circulation and play experience.

Uniquely designed integral color concrete rings were installed at other tree locations where trees and safety surfacing met. Concrete seat walls, artificial turf berms, and artificial turf hillsides all add to the character and theming of the overall site.
Mixing the three safety surfaces provided a new challenge with drainage and water management. The PIP and artificial turf surfaces typically sheet drain but the EWF creates large bathtubs within the playground that hold water.

A subsurface drainage system was needed to manage and remove water from the playground. A system was implemented utilizing linear cells for water capture that then direct the water to a downhill location and then off site through storm drainage pipes.

Inclusivity
"Helmerich Playground: Behaving Like Animals has made a significant improvement to the overall guest experience at Tulsa Zoo," states Patrick Weisz, vice president of guest experience. "In addition to providing children the opportunity to emulate their favorite zoo animal through free play, the playground strives to ensure that children of all physical, social, and emotional capabilities are included."
"The playground consists of multiple areas all age appropriate. They're also inclusive and accessible to all children, all capabilities. They'll all include some sort of sensory play for children who may not be able to climb and swing as others can and the sky bridge allows for a beautiful view of the zoo. The zoo has seen a noticeable increase in visit length of stay and per capita revenue on concessions and retail sales."

Epilogue
In the winter of 2021, the three full size Water Oaks were devastated by the freeze and ice of winter storms. Once the dead trees were removed, the site felt barren and unprotected. Massive amounts of shade had been lost which became a critical concern for zoo staff.

LandPlan worked closely with a local shade sail representative to provide a solution. Shade sails were strategically located to avoid fall zones of the play equipment while providing much needed shade to key features, once again maximizing the play value of the playground.

Team List
Client: Tulsa Zoo - Lindsay Hutchison, City of Tulsa - Gary Schellhorn
Landscape Architect: LandPlan Consultants Inc. (president - Julie Graff, president emeritus - Keith Franklin)
Project Manager: Michael Harmon
Construction: Builders Unlimited Construction