Nashville Zoo

For generations of families in Nashville, the Nashville Zoo has been more than a destination. It’s a place where people gather, learn about wildlife conservation, and experience nature in an engaging, accessible way. As the zoo has grown into a leading zoological park in the Southeast, each phase of expansion has been shaped by a commitment to both the visitor experience and long-term site stewardship.

That growth has been intentional. Over the past 20+ years, the Nashville Zoo has continuously expanded and improved its campus to support new exhibits, enhance guest circulation, and strengthen its infrastructure. Each project builds on the last, creating a cohesive, people-centered environment that balances animal care, education, and recreation.

CSDG has partnered with the Nashville Zoo since 2004, providing integrated master planning, civil engineering, and landscape architecture services. Working alongside zoo leadership and design teams, our role has focused on aligning site design, infrastructure, and landscape systems to support both day-to-day operations and long-term growth.

Our work spans the full campus, from major exhibit expansions to critical infrastructure improvements. Key projects include the African Safari, Tiger Exhibit, Giraffe Barn, Kangaroo Exhibit, and Flamingo Barn, which enhance visitors' engagement with animals and their habitats. Visitor-focused improvements, such as the main entrance drive, parking garage, visitor entry gate, and campus-wide circulation upgrades, shape how guests arrive, navigate, and experience the zoo.

Behind the scenes, civil engineering and site planning efforts, including hydrologic studies, stream relocation, utility coordination, and service drive design, help ensure the zoo operates efficiently and can continue to expand in a resilient, sustainable way.

Together, these projects create more than individual improvements. They form a connected campus that supports millions of annual visitors while advancing the zoo’s mission of conservation, education, and community engagement.

CSDG’s long-standing partnership with the Nashville Zoo reflects a shared commitment to designing environments where real life happens, spaces that evolve over time, serve the community, and create lasting experiences for visitors of all ages.

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“For over 20 years, we’ve had the privilege of partnering with CSDG for civil engineering and landscape architecture services. Their attention to detail, commitment to our mission, and responsiveness have made a lasting impact on our community. It’s clear they take pride in their work, and their dedication to creating sustainable, timeless designs shines through in every project.” — Rick Schwartz, President & CEO, Nashville Zoo