facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

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FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT provide a visual connection between the historic buildings from the original Olmsted plan. A grand pedestrian plaza would provide an orientation point and gathering place for visitors, along with an introduction to the conservation message and an initial animal experience. This plaza would also serve as a primary location for special events. A full range of visitor services, including restrooms, informational kiosks, educational facilities, retail, and dining would be offered at the Mid-Point entry. The new plaza would be framed by two of the National Zoo’s distinctive historic buildings, the Small Mammal House and the Reptile House, and an aerial tram station serving the mid-point. This iconic entry would serve as an orientation point both for visitors entering at the mid-point and those navigating Olmsted Walk. A parking structure would be constructed atop Parking Lot C, eliminating the need for several surface lots around the National Zoo. An intermittent turn lane would be added to portions of North Road to mitigate congestion when vehicles are turning into the parking structure or accessing the new dedicated service lane between the new discovery zone and the Small Mammal House. Harvard Street Bridge/Beach Drive Entry Concept The new visitor entry at the crossroads near Harvard Street Bridge/Beach Drive (see Figure 10) would provide a unique visitor entry experience that builds off of the natural setting of Rock Creek and the adjacent urban neighborhoods. Visitors arriving at this entry would arrive on foot, by car, and also by Metro shuttle. The actual entry onto Olmsted Walk would be reconfigured and revitalized to direct visitors into the National Zoo from the traffic roundabout. Visitor services such as restrooms, information kiosks, rental, retail, and event space would be available. The Mane Restaurant would continue to provide dining and event support, and the bandstand and event area would be upgraded. An aerial tram station would be located near the lower entry, providing access to alternative Figure 10. Harvard Street Bridge/Beach Drive Entry Concept transportation to the top of the hill and the Connecticut Avenue entrance. Immediately upon entering the gates, visitors wishing to utilize the aerial tram would be directed on a path below the Kids’ Farm and the tram station. A traffic roundabout would be added to facilitate vehicular entrance and exit from Harvard Street, Beach Drive, and North Road. Pedestrian safety and access improvements would be made with the addition of sidewalks and crosswalks leading into the National Zoo. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 32 | P a g e
FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Parking Lot C Detail The new Mid-Point entry, the major entry for patrons arriving by vehicle, would provide a parking structure on Parking Lot C connected to the National Zoo by a new access bridge over North Road. The Parking Lot C parking structure would provide a total of 1,128 spaces. A new administrative, support, and operations hub would also constructed on the Parking Lot C site with the parking garage. Exhibit Renewal at Beaver Valley The Beaver Valley area (see Figure 11) is environmentally sensitive and provides a shaded, quiet respite from Olmsted Walk. Exhibits would be redeveloped to maximize environmental sensitivity and create a visitor interpretive experience that plays off of this natural yet dynamic setting. Revitalized exhibit areas would create more options for visitors and alleviate crowding on busy days. Exhibits and walkways would be designed to allow universal access through a series of bridges, structures, lifts, and ramps that flow between the Beaver Valley and Olmsted Walk exhibits. This system would allow a visitor to easily navigate the substantial grade change in this area. The Amazonia Science Gallery building and Figure 11. Beaver Valley Exhibits exhibit would be modified so that the main entrance is located on Olmsted Walk. An upper addition to the building would allow a bridge to connect to a new building in Beaver Valley, providing access from Beaver Valley. The new visitor building would also be connected by a bridge to another new exhibit building on the site of the former Lower Bear exhibit and a new visitor building at the site of the former Upper Bear exhibit. The buildings would have opportunities for outdoor viewing and interior exhibit space with the potential for a year- round experience. At grade, an accessible path would connect to the renovated Seal and Sea Lion exhibits. Renovation of the Seal and Sea Lion exhibits and the addition of new animal exhibits that use the naturally forested slopes of the valley would attract visitors and allow crowds to distribute to areas outside of Olmsted Walk. Elevated boardwalks would likely reduce the current at grade conflict between pedestrians and service vehicles in Beaver Valley. However, a ground-level experience would still be open to visitors. Service vehicles and visitors would continue to share the Beaver Valley path, but service hours would be limited whenever feasible. Improvements would be made to the path in the Upper Beaver Valley, and the connection to Olmsted Walk and the new Elephant Trail project would remain. In order to minimize the reliance on public streets and to create emergency and service access to Bird Hill, a service road is proposed that would connect Beaver Valley to Bird Hill. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 33 | P a g e
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