Parkhill Joins a Bold New Adventure at the Abilene Zoo

As part of a 2019 Master Plan for the Abilene Zoo created by Parkhill, the design team envisioned an aircraft as part of one of the exhibits. The original plan involved a small Cessna but evolved to include a sizable military transport aircraft — a retired C-130! After two years of negotiations and planning, Dyess Air Force Base allowed for the reuse of a static display aircraft to be donated and moved to the zoo for the upcoming project, “A Bold Adventure.” Dyess Air Force Base has strong ties to Abilene and is connected to numerous community projects, including Abilene ISD Dyess Elementary School and a C-130J Flight Simulator located on the base. 

The C-130 at the focus of the “A Bold New Adventure” project is a tribute to Abilene’s military history and holds a unique story of once transporting animals for movie sets. This aircraft, which will attach to the lion exhibit, is part of Phase One of the zoo’s master plan and will encompass approximately eight acres. 

Parkhill has a long-standing relationship with the Abilene Zoo, dating back to the zoo’s founding in 1966. Parkhill has played a key role in shaping the zoo’s growth and evolution, beginning with the original zoo design completed under the legacy of Jimmy Tittle and the Tittle Luther Partnership. The firm’s involvement includes the Abilene Zoo Master Plan, which was developed to double the size of the zoo, expand the number of species and experiences, and upgrade existing facilities while keeping the main circulation paths functional during construction. 

Parkhill has provided architecture, engineering, and landscape services for major projects such as the Giraffe Terrace, Caribbean Coves, and Madagascar exhibits, focusing on sustainable design and unique visitor experiences. Through decades of collaboration, Parkhill’s interdisciplinary team has helped the Abilene Zoo become a vibrant, educational, and engaging destination for the community and visitors seeking to learn and explore.