CULTURE + ENTERTAINMENT
This project will not only improve the attraction, but will make an economic and cultural impact. It is projected to increase annual attendance to more than 500,000 visitors by 2031, as well as contributing $60 million to the local economy each year. The Great Plains Zoo’s most recent additions at the campus—the Denny Sanford Family Splash Pad and the new African Lion exhibit—and a new Eastern Shores exhibit at the Butterfly House & Aquarium campus, helped increase attendance by 33% and memberships by 15% in 2024. “The Splash Pad has been an incredible summer amenity for our guests,” said Dewitz. “We’ve also focused on creating species-specific habitats that exceed AZA ( Association of Zoo & Aquariums ) standards, with renovations to the black bear exhibit (most of it behind the scenes to accommodate the bears better) and a new African lion building – with much more to come.”
“BY BRINGING OUR MISSION TO LIFE
THROUGH VIBRANT, MODERN HABITATS AND EXPERIENCES, WE WILL CONNECT OUR GROWING COMMUNITY TO THE BEAUTY OF WILD SPECIES AND SPACES AND ENSURE THEY CAN CONTINUE CREATING UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES.” becky dewitz
40 | 605MAGAZINE.COM
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