Hattiesburg Zoo opens first water park in Mississippi Pine Belt area
AT: Jeffrey Seifert
HATTIESBURG, Mississippi — Serengeti Springs water park at the Hattiesburg Zoo opened to the public on Memorial Day weekend. The water park has been on the drawing board since 2022 and was planned to open last year, but heavy rains coupled with supply chain issues delayed construction.
The new water park features Polé-Polé River, a lazy river with a small wave pool beach area and a swim-up bar. A WhiteWater Fusion Fortress multi-level water play structure called TreeTop Trek, features climbing areas, interactive water toys, two dumping buckets and five body waterslides including a bowl slide and a three-lane racing slide and covers more than 17,000 square feet all coated with Life Floor safety surfacing. The water play structure is designed to immerse adventurers into an African landscape with 2-D and 3-D animal elements, playful signage and grassy foliage.
Martin Aquatics provided the concept design, as well as hydraulic, structural, filtration and chemical services.
A small shop at the entrance to the water park offers swimsuits, towels, souvenir T-shirts and other water park necessities. Inside the park, a food truck, snack stand and swim-up bar provide food and refreshments. Numerous lounge chairs offer plenty of opportunities for relaxation, and private cabanas are available for an additional fee.
Hattiesburg Zoo is a small 12-acre zoo that was established in 1950 and serves the Pine Belt area of southern Mississippi with outreach programs and onsite edZOOcation programs. The zoo is operated by the Hattiesburg Convention Commission. The addition of Serengeti Springs introduces aquatic opportunities in an area that has no other water park attractions. A second expansion is planned with construction starting next year with an expected 2027 opening.
