The largest, and perhaps most anticipated, piece of Roger Williams Park Zoo’s master plan is the North American Trail. Our cornerstone exhibit will be completely reinvented with our beloved polar bears returning to a newly reconstructed North America -- the oldest section of the zoo. The journey begins with a docent teaching station styled as an “Outfitter's Cabin,” a totem pole carved with the exhibit’s animals, and a replicated eagle’s nest where kids can have their photo taken.

The new world-class polar bear exhibit will be nine times bigger and will offer some truly stunning features, including:

• A 95,000 gallon salt water pool
• Interactive features for the bears -- including a pool that will put predator and prey (safely) nose to nose, as the harbor seals and polar bears swim side by side separated only by an invisible glass wall
• Terrain simulating the bears’ native tundra – they’ll be able to dig (which they love to do!)
• A cubbing den to allow for successful captive breeding

Design work on this centerpiece has already begun, with the help of Ursa International, an architecture firm known internationally for creating exciting exhibits that are uniquely sensitive to the animals’ needs.

In addition to the polar bear exhibit, The North American Trail calls for brand new, breathtaking habitats for seals, bald eagles, red wolves, and more.

• A 2,400 square-foot eagle habitat will occupy the area of the old polar bear exhibit
     [ COMPLETED - see details ]
• The new red wolf exhibit will include a “Trapper’s Cabin” with great viewing opportunities -- complete with a sitting porch, rustic finishes and artifacts — and a replicated wolf den play area for kids
• The new seal exhibit will include a saltwater pool, sharing a glass dividing wall with the polar bear exhibit
• The redesigned bison exhibit will incorporate a 600 sq. ft. prairie dog habitat, with pop-up viewing tunnels for children (a past favorite of zoo-goers!) as well as a teepee for storytelling

The plan links several North American species that have compelling conservation success stories; some whose survival is only recently being tested.

Timeframe and budget: $12.5 million; construction is underway and scheduled for completion in 2010

What Will it Look Like?

Exterior Polar Bear Exhibit
(middle left rendering)
The entry to the North American Trail and new polar bear exhibit will give visitors a true sense of immersion in the North American ecosystem.  A wooden bridge will span the area where the current polar bear exhibit moat is found, suspending visitors over a waterfall and between two magnificent sights – the new 2,400 square foot eagle habitat to the left and, to the right, expansive overlooks into the polar bear exhibit and beyond, with sight lines extending over the bison exhibit and other habitats that make up the North American Trail.