Water World’s Big Top area needed a complete renovation and theme to replace its aging carnival vibe. Named Alpine Springs, the area of the park was renovated to fit the new vision, including the redesign of the ride tower and gondola lift and the addition of Colorado-inspired architecture and landscape rockwork. Like Summit Canyon, planting was selected for low water use.

The rides, gondola cars, and signage are Colorado-themed and influenced by the colors of the Colorado flag, and the area features two new attractions.

Our objective was to create a cohesive environment with themed elements that tied everything together, while incorporating more landscape to soften the feel. Pedestrian flow was rerouted to create a new entry into the space, and an updated queue experience and shade structure helped elevate the guest experience. The dining/beer garden, party, and event space was reimagined to provide additional gathering areas outside of the water features.

Summit Canyon is a destination inspired by the state’s national parks and mountain landscapes in the heart of the Denver Metro. The new area is organized around a summit-to-valley concept, with the ride tower representing a mountain peak and the guest experience cascading through a series of attractions, gathering spaces, and landscape zones.

The project’s landscape design reflects Colorado’s changing elevations, moving from alpine-inspired planting at the highest points to valley-inspired planting throughout lower areas. All planting was selected for low water use, supporting a drought-tolerant and sustainable approach.

A major challenge for the team was preserving a number of mature trees that had been growing on the site for more than 30 years. Through creative grading solutions and terraced walls, the design team retained these signature trees while accommodating significant changes in topography.

Custom signage inspired by U.S. National Park graphics reinforces the theme throughout the area, helping create a cohesive identity across the expansion.