The Happy Hollow Park & Zoo opened in 1961 has recently undergone a sustainable renovation worth $72 million. Happy Hollow earned points for its sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation and design process.
The project included renovation of the existing ride areas as well as a four-acre expansion that houses the new Zoo on the Hill, an education complex, Entry Plaza complex, two more rides, 11 more exhibits and new play areas totaling 12,800 square feet.
The park which reopened in March 2010 is embedded with a string of green features. The facility features seven green roofs with native plant species to provide habitat for wildlife. A 14,000 square feet of open space has been added to Happy Hollow on the green roofs and 56,000 plants were planted on these seven roofs.
Some other sustainable features are: radiant flooring for cooling and heating of buildings; hay bale construction of the Education Center; recycled water used for non-potable functions throughout facility; porous asphalt paving; sustainable storm water management designed to keep rainfall on site; clerestory windows in all buildings for lighting, and heating and cooling; sustainable materials throughout the project; recycled base rock throughout the project; recycled glass in the entry plaza; Low volatile organic compounds (VOC) paints; and the use of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood framing and recycled plastic lumber.
