Local Zoo

Multi-Service Project

Local Zoo

Multiple Services including Waterproofing, Asphalt & Concrete, and Construction

Location

Denver, CO

Summary

The completion of two high-impact projects at a local zoo, supporting both interior and exterior upgrades to enhance guest experience and long-term functionality. Work included the installation of 4,000 square feet of interior epoxy flooring and the replacement of all concrete pathways and viewing areas around the newly remodeled sea lion exhibit.

Challenge

A zoological garden located in City Park, a neighborhood in Denver, CO, with an 84-acre campus housing over 3,000 wild animals, had two facility areas that required attention. The existing floor system inside one of the zoo’s buildings was outdated, made up of both tile and sheet welded vinyl. Additionally, the surrounding visitor pathways and viewing areas at the sea lion exhibit were deteriorated and did not match the exhibit’s new renovation

Solution

For the interior flooring project, DCPS worked with an architectural design team to strategize and design a system that would visually fit the brand and provide a durable solution with easy maintenance. For the sea lion exhibit area, deteriorated walkways and viewing platforms were removed and replaced with colored concrete that complemented the exhibit’s updated theme.

For the epoxy flooring installation, DPCS began the two week-long process by removing the existing tile and sheet-welded vinyl floor down to the concrete substrate. Next, the team mechanically prepared the floor using a diamond grinder to achieve a CSP2-3 finish, optimal for a resinous flooring system. To achieve a proper bond, an application of epoxy primer was applied. Following the primer, a custom design was created by applying a base coat of epoxy and broadcasting custom color chip flakes to create the desired texture, color, and design, agreed upon with the architectural design team. The custom design required multiple colors and patterns to be incorporated along with two topcoats of clear polyaspartic to seal it and achieve the required finish.

In the other phase of work, the sea lion exhibit pathways required swift and strategic execution. After having just one week to plan and procure materials, the DCPS team completed demolition and debris removal in under four days while working exclusively outside of zoo operating hours. Concrete foundations and ADA-compliant ramp walls were installed immediately after. Stair and paving work was prioritized to allow the welding team to begin railing fabrication. Despite weather challenges and access restrictions, the DCPS team poured roughly 100 cubic yards of concrete in one week, completing the project just in time for the scheduled grand opening.

Both projects significantly improved the zoo’s visitor experience and facility performance. The flooring provided a durable, low-maintenance surface, while the new pathways and viewing areas improved safety and created a visually cohesive visitor experience.