Enhancing Visitor Engagement with Calgary Zoo’s Interactive Map

The Calgary Zoo partnered with Swinmark Consulting to elevate their visitor experience through a custom-built, interactive map application. Designed to help guests explore exhibits and navigate the zoo with ease, this engaging digital solution enhances trip planning and on-site orientation while showcasing the zoo’s diverse wildlife and services.

Background

The Calgary Zoo is one of Canada’s most visited family destinations, offering immersive wildlife experiences and conservation-focused education. With an increasing demand for digital-first visitor tools, the zoo sought to create a modern, intuitive web-based map that could serve as both a pre-visit planner and an on-site guide.

The Challenge

The zoo required a dynamic and user-friendly map that could integrate smoothly with its website, reflect real-time facility information, and support mobile responsiveness. The application needed to provide a rich visual experience while maintaining performance and accessibility for all users.

Our Solution

Swinmark Consulting designed and developed a fully interactive map application using React and REST API architecture. Key features and strategies included:

Modern Front-End Development: Leveraged React to build a responsive, component-based interface for smooth and fast user interaction across devices.
REST API Integration: Integrated real-time data for facility locations, amenities, animal exhibits, and accessibility paths to support seamless user navigation.
User Experience Design: Prioritized ease of use and accessibility with intuitive controls, clear labelling, and interactive filtering to enhance discoverability.
Scalability and Maintenance: Delivered a flexible codebase that supports future enhancements and easy updates by internal zoo staff or external partners.

Results & Benefits:
The new Calgary Zoo interactive map has become a central tool for guest planning and park navigation:

Increased User Engagement: Visitors spend more time on the site planning their visit and interacting with the map features.
Improved Navigation: On-site guests can quickly find exhibits, services, and amenities, improving their overall experience.
Mobile-Friendly Access: The map performs seamlessly across smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
Scalable Digital Infrastructure: The system’s flexible architecture supports ongoing content updates and seasonal feature additions.

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