Point Lobos

One of the largest projects to emerge from the Yorkshire Wildlife Park Masterplan, was the Point Lobos development. This development would become home to the parks 6 no. Sealions will be delivered as the 3rd of 5 phases initially planned for the park.

Gillespies, who delivered the Landscape Masterplan for Yorkshire Wildlife Park, were involved in the concept design, with Jonathan McLoughlin leading the overall landscape vision for the project. Through an iterative process of working with the parks team and with input from filtration and structural experts we developed a tender package for the project delivery.

The 2.5-acre site on the edge of the master plan's Central Lake would form a key habitat for the growth of the park. A 3000m3 main pool the largest purpose built salt-water pool in the world was designed to have an organic shape. The 70m long and 3m deep the pool was designed to promote and encourage a range of uses with shallow water and deeper water to encourage mixed behaviour. Working with a faux rock work sculpture we created rocky outcrops and a central island which the animals haul out onto.

Also designed was a large sea arch, a unique and playful feature that directs the visitors eye to the wider park and connects through the use of borrowed landscape to the adjacent lake. Getting the balance of land to water ratio was important and we created areas of pebble and sandy beaches so animals could lounge around if they so liked.

A winding visitor footpath and various elevated and low level vantage points help create perfect photo opportunity for guests. A new animal house with indoor pens and pools and a large filtration system was constructed as part of the development. A second smaller pool is also part of this development and allows animals to be separated off if needed. The supporting HIVE hotel was developed to have views onto the new Point Lobos exhibit and guests can watch the animals from their balconies as the sun rises and sets, a unique experience.

The development opened in Spring 2021 .