The new Audubon Zoo Entry Complex is truly a unique facility totally dedicated to its patrons, guests, and the general public.

The entry creates new expanded facilities for the Zoo. The project consists of eight new ticket booths, a gift shop, sales and administrative offices, new concession area, public restrooms, flamingo exhibit and entry circulation plaza (Lupin Plaza), all strategically centered on a palm tree lined walkway to Orientation Plaza Fountain in the heart of the Zoo.

The new entry gates are formed under an elevated poured in place concrete planter measuring 80' x 15' - 0" x 8' - 0' high. This concrete planter provides landscaping and structural support for the new entry sign. The expanded entry provides greater circulation around Lupin Plaza area for off loading buses from school and/or special groups.

Also located in Lupin Plaza is the John James Audubon statue relocated from the center of the Zoo. After entering through the new ticket booth, the area opens to a palm tree lined plaza to the heart of the Zoo. The entry plaza and gathering area consist of over 150,000 brick pavers with flag stone boarders. Over thirty (30) high Medjool Palm trees (25'- 0" high) align the entry to the center of the Zoo. The complete landscaping work for the entire project is in excess of $400,000.00.

The new flamingo exhibit is a simulated rockscape and waterfall area behind stainless steel and glass railing. This allows the public to almost reach out and touch the 40 flamingos habiting in the exhibit. The unique design of nesting areas and simulated rocks re-create a nature habitat for the flamingos to nest. The waterfall and continuous streams are a unique design that allows the water to re-circulate and constantly provide fresh water to the exhibit. The flamingo exhibit is a nice setting immediately adjacent to the concession area.

This full service kitchen/concession area, "Flamingo Cafe", allows the public to sit and eat in close proximity to the nesting flamingos. Also, in the near vicinity are the new public restrooms, which have their own unique designs. The wall tile features engraved animals while the floor tiles have engraved footprints of various animal species. Back at the entry on the immediate right side of the new ticket booths is the "Whitney Bank" clock tower souring approximately 50' - 0" above grade.
The area under the tower structure is a two-story office, administration and group sales area. The new office area has a unique open wooden stairway shaft to the second floor executive area. Across the entry ticket area is the new gift shop facility approximately 6,000sf with its own special towers.