Rosamond Gifford Zoo - Elephant Exhibit, Syracuse, NY

Completed: 2011

The new elephant facility is located adjacent to the existing elephant day yard, and is expected to be completed Summer 2011.

  • The site design includes a number of different public viewing opportunities, including a viewing window into the new facility, renovated boardwalk with recycled material decking, and a shaded pavilion with amphitheater style seating area that overlooks the elephant day yard and demonstration area.
  • A unique elephant scratching post constructed as a simulated fallen tree is located in the elephant day yard.
  • Green initiatives include a 9,000 s.f green roof over the elephant facility. The stormwater management system includes a viewing rain garden, drywells, level infiltration subsurface trenches with internal weir plates to hold water and promote infiltration and vegetated swales along the perimeter of the elephant day yard.