Martin Aquatic Wins Dream Designs Award
Martin Aquatic Design & Engineering, a renowned aquatic firm, has received recognition from Aquatics International with a Dream Designs Award for its exceptional water park design at the newly opened Serengeti Springs located at The Hattiesburg Zoo in Southern Mississippi.
The Serengeti Springs water park serves as a separate ticketed attraction next to the Hattiesburg Zoo, continuing the African theme of the zoo’s latest expansion, which features a large giraffe exhibit.
A 436-foot-long Lazy River and a WhiteWater Fusion Fortress slide tower, known as the “TreeTop Trek,” are the two main components of the conceptual design initiated by Martin Aquatic Design in 2021. This play structure incorporates African 3D animal elements to create an immersive experience, connecting visitors to the wildlife seen at the zoo. With six slides and two tipping buckets, the play structure holds a total of 4,800 litres of water. Additionally, the lazy river is linked to a swim-up bar pool, providing a relaxing space for adults.
Fun for the Whole Family
“Collaborating with the leadership of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission, we were thrilled to deliver a project that perfectly met their needs,” states Josh Martin, president & creative director at Martin Aquatic Design. “They now have a major kid-friendly attraction alongside a special amenity for adults to enjoy.”
The WhiteWater structure features unique themed elements that reflect the African motif, showcasing native animals and welcoming Swahili phrases such as “Habari” and “Jambo.” The expansive area also includes ground-level spraying toys and nozzles, ensuring that even the youngest children can enjoy getting wet before moving on to more exhilarating attractions. Although the zero-depth area was designed with safety in mind, featuring no standing water, a vibrant Life Floor pattern created by Martin Aquatic Design beneath the structure brings this space to life with colours reminiscent of sandy shores and blue waters.
The landscape design by LandDesign provides ample shade throughout the park.
The aim of constructing Serengeti Springs was to boost tourism and attract visitors from the surrounding region, which currently lacks a new waterpark attraction of this nature. The zoo itself is also planning further developments, as Rick Taylor, executive director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission, elaborated in a recent conversation.
The Martin Aquatic Design team has garnered 16 Dream Designs awards for its waterpark, splashpad, and resort pool projects over the years, including the Margaritaville Beach Resort in the Bahamas in 2023.
Recently, the company announced that Carnival Cruise Line’s eagerly awaited Celebration Key on Grand Bahama Island will feature two freshwater lagoons anchored by Martin Aquatic Design Blue Mar Basins technology.
