Hattiesburg Zoo in Mississippi is expanding to offer the new Serengeti Springs water park, a 3.5-acre attraction with a lazy river, water play structure and slides.
Serengeti Springs will be part of the zoo’s Africa section. The first phase of the project includes a water play structure and 150,000-gallon lazy river, as well as a pool with a swim-up bar, cabanas and food trucks.
The $10.5 million expansion will also feature an entry building with a gift shop, changing rooms and showers, in addition to loungers and other amenities.
The water play structure, called ‘Fusion Fortress’, is inspired by the animals of Africa. It will boast nine slides, multiple play areas, two bucket dump stations, spray toys, and the ‘Serengeti Swirl’.
The first phase of construction starts this month, with the attraction scheduled to open in summer 2023. The second phase of Serengeti Springs will include a slide tower with four slides. Construction will start between 2025 and 2027.
The water used for Serengeti Springs will be captured, treated and recycled. According to a news release, only a small amount of water is lost each day “due to evaporation”.
Serengeti Springs to open in 2023
“Serengeti Springs is going to be a one-of-a-kind experience that is only available here in the Pine Belt,” said Jennifer Payne, chair of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission board of directors (via Hattiesburg American).
“We want to make sure Serengeti Springs is the ultimate Pine Belt summer destination.”
Serengeti Springs at the Hattiesburg Zoo will create between six and eight permanent positions and up to 75 seasonal positions.
Elsewhere, Missouri’s Saint Louis Zoo has unveiled plans for the new $230 million WildCare Park, a 425-acre expansion for endangered animals and visitor experiences.
Images: Hattiesburg Zoo
