Mary Scott NabersAcross the U.S., major investments are being made to enhance parks, outdoor recreation areas and essential infrastructure. From zoo expansions to shoreline protection and utility systems upgrades, these projects represent significant economic activity and will create demand for specialized expertise.
A $100 million Seneca Park Zoo upgrade project is planned for Rochester, New York. Project components will include adding a new 48,000-square-foot Tropics building and a 22,000-square-foot entry plaza to enhance visitor experience. The facility will also provide offices for membership and ticketing, education spaces, event venues, administrative offices and a gift shop.
As part of the expansion, three distinct habitats—Borneo Forest, Tropical Islands, and Pacific Reef—along with a 150,000-gallon Pacific Reef tank will be upgraded, addressing concerns for animal welfare. These habitats will be home for orangutans, Komodo dragons, clouded leopards, jellyfish, seahorses and pythons. In the coming years, various animals will be relocated to new homes within the zoo as part of the expansion. Design work is already underway, and construction is planned for late 2026. The entire project is expected to be completed by summer or early fall of 2028.
A $190 million project to reconstruct the shoal, or outcropping of bedrock, on Lake Michigan’s shoreline in Chicago, Illinois is in the planning stage. The project intended to protect the shoreside Burnham Park from flood damage and erosion. It will also increase access to the lake for recreation purposes. It will be overseen by a group of public agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The project will require a combination of rubble mound and dynamic revetment, stone blocks, a section of steel sheet pile and concrete revetment. When completed it will provide 9.5 acres of new usable park space – enough land to accommodate a trail that delivers a buffer between the park and the DuSable Lake Shore Drive. A planned construction start is slated for late 2025.
City leaders in New York City will oversee a $20.5 million upgrade project to its Gwen Ifill Park. Plans call for a playground, basketball courts, adult fitness area, new restroom facility, and additional plazas and pathways in the park. While this is a smaller project, it is of high importance to the city, and it is being funded through the mayor’s office. Although this project is still in the planning stage, solicitation documents are expected to be released soon and construction will likely begin in late 2025 or early 2026.
City leaders in Los Angeles are preparing to launch a $265 million project to develop new bicycle and pedestrian paths before the Summer Olympics in 2028. Project planners expect that the trails will not only improve the park’s recreational area, but also alleviate traffic congestion on the road by offering an alternative commuting option for short distances. In fact, when completed the project will close an eight-mile gap in the Los Angeles River Path and create a continuous route connecting the San Fernando Valley to Long Beach.
Plans call for a 12-foot-wide asphalt surface, pedestrian walking paths, decorative fencing, green landscaping, and stormwater management systems. Public officials indicate that contractors with experience in multi-modal path construction, bridge engineering, and environmentally sensitive urban infrastructure will be in high demand. Currently in the planning stage, this large effort will be divided into four phases. Solicitation documents will be issued as soon as the environmental review is concluded, and the final design has been completed.
The former site of Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas will soon be transformed into a new regional park. Baylor University’s football team, after sixty-seven years, ceased operations of the facility in 2013 when the team moved to the newer McLane Stadium. City leaders acquired the land from Baylor and in 2016 the stadium was demolished, clearing the site for redevelopment. The first project will be a $25.3 million effort to develop a new park. The city has also designated 72 acres for housing and commercial development adjacent to the park. Currently in the final stages of design, the park portion of the development will cover 30 acres along the Waco Creek Corridor, creating a recreational destination for residents and visitors.
Key park features will include a skate park, baseball field, pickleball court, basketball courts and 2.5 miles of pedestrian trails. The Hart-Patterson Track Complex will also be upgraded to better serve athletes and the community. Other project components will include the development of a sensory garden, an all-abilities playground and an inclusive restroom facility for families. Construction bidding is expected to commence in March 2025, leading to groundbreaking in June 2025.
A $181 million project is being designed to upgrade and modernize essential utility systems at the Grand Canyon National Park, as many components are operating far beyond their intended lifespan. Environmental risks, safety hazards and operational inefficiencies are resulting from frequent failures in water pipelines and outdated wastewater systems and electrical infrastructure. These issues jeopardize the park’s ability to provide reliable services to millions of annual visitors and staff. Work will include replacing and rehabilitating the waterline that extends from the North Rim to the Roaring Springs water source.
A new, state-of-the-art water treatment plant will be constructed to enhance water quality and meet current health and safety standards. New water storage tanks will also be installed and at least one pumphouse will undergo significant rehabilitation. The project is now in the design phase, which is expected to continue through late 2025. Construction is scheduled to begin shortly afterward and conclude by mid-2027.
As these ambitious projects move forward, they will generate substantial demand for contractors, suppliers, and service providers across various sectors. Firms interested in these opportunities should monitor project timelines closely, prepare for upcoming bid solicitations, and position themselves for success in the rapidly evolving public sector market.
Photo/graphic courtesy Canva
