Wild Animal Park
Architect: N/A
Builder: Clear Sign & Design
Sign Designer: Tim Reamer
In 1972, the Zoological Society of San Diego opened the San Diego Wild Animal Park, an 1,800 acre preserve dedicated to exhibiting animals in an open, natural environment. In its first year alone, the Wild Animal Park attracted 780,000 visitors, which is no surprise considering the Park’s population of 3,500 animals representing 429 species -- including the largest crash of Rhinos of any zoological facility in the world. Today, the Wild Animal Park remains one of the San Diego region's premier visitor attractions and enjoys a worldwide reputation for its dedicated efforts to preserve endangered species.
Clear Sign & Design was proud to be awarded the challenge to build a new Main Entrance sign for this iconic landmark. Our team quickly assembled to specify all of the quality products needed to build not only something beautiful but something durable enough to stand the test of time. With durability in mind we decided on making the structure from concrete and partnered with Taylor Construction to pour and stand the massive 18,000 lb. walls that were later welded in place and treated with a two-tone gradient stain.
Once the structure was complete, Clear Sign & Design fabricated and installed a 4000lb multi-layered Rhino that was built using (5) sections of .25” aluminum attached to an intricate 4”x4” steel tube frame. We then welded the Rhino onto (2) 10” steel pipes and illuminated it with (6) 60” high output fixtures. After the Rhino was carefully placed, we then built and installed the 5’ tall reverse channel letters that cast a contrasting green halo at night. Despite the enormous scope of the sign, each illuminated letter has a current draw of one amp or less.
From the beginning it was clear the Wild Animal Park structure would be an interesting and challenging project, but through careful planning, expert fabrication and professional installation we stayed true to the original design concept and construction requirements.
These photos will show some of the work done during the 5 week installation process, but not until the new Wild Animal Park sign is seen in person can one truly appreciate its mass or the level of detail brought to life by our designers, fabricators, and installers.
If you have a need for an original, eye-catching sign that will stand the test of time -- no matter the size -- give us a call at 760.736.8111, and put the Clear Sign & Design team to work for you.
“Recently, a very important client of mine was in need of some new signage on their high-profile, high-rise building in Irvine. This sign would be seen from the freeway, commercial planes, and surrounding retail. The responsibility for this sign was delegated to me and it was critical that this sign be seen, day and night!
Thankfully, I had worked with Clear Signs previously and was confident of the quality and professionalism I could expect. Immediately upon installation, I received calls from both the President and the CFO thanking me. Gabe made me look like a hero and will always come highly recommended by me to anyone needing professional signage.”
Steve Lane
Sr. VP/Partner
Voit Real Estate
“From the very beginning Gabe and the team at Clear Signs exhibited a high level of professionalism. The process from bid to installation was flawless. Not only this, but they have completed projects on both of our high rise locations in San Diego and Irvine as well as our boutique shops in Northern California. Their craftsmanship from from Southern California to Northern is amazing! I’d recommend Clear signs for all your signage needs.”
Scharrell Jackson
COO/CFO
Squar Milner
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Lenette Hewitt
VP of Marketing
Urban Partners
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Stacy Lombardo
Sr. VP of Operations
Torrey Pines Bank
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Joe Navarro
President - CEO
Valley View Casino & Hotel
“We were in a desperate place, 4 days before final inspection/occupancy, and our client's vendor could not deliver any of the code required signage in time. With one call – Clear Sign manufactured and installed nearly 600 code signs with time to spare. This hail mary saved the day and set the new standard for what a preferred vendor can do.”
Joe Bigglione
Sr. Project Manager
CW Driver Builders
“From Florida to San Diego and everywhere in between
Clear Sign has been with us every step of the way handling all of our signage needs no matter where the next race track is located. Nine years and 18 locations later, Steve remains my “sign guy” of choice.”
David Danglard
President - CEO
K1 Speed Indoor Karting
“Its not that I felt Clear Sign couldn’t do the work… but initially I felt more comfortable choosing a vendor that was local to the project which Clear Sign was not. Ironically, my “local” vendor ended up dropping the ball, and Clear Sign picked it up and literally scored a touchdown with their products despite the super tight timeline and custom design requirements. Steve and his team have earned their spot in my list of approved vendors.”
Noah Rosenblatt
Sr. Creative Director
CON-AM Management
“Being a construction manager and choosing a sign vendor from a bid list can be difficult, because having the lowest price rarely nets the desired results. Having worked with Steve and the team over at Clear Sign on a few high profile projects and seeing the benefits first-hand made me a believer. They are now one of my few preferred signage vendors.”
Roger Kazemier
Field Operations Manager
Swinerton Builders
“From day one - Clear Sign understood our philosophy on quality and design, and it showed in the professional execution of our new interior and exterior sign package, replacing the tired looking 10+ year-old original product. This alignment priorities benefitted the entire project, and increased foot traffic didn't hurt either!”
Ryan Krasner
General Manager
Harold Stevens Jewelers
“It was only a short time after being introduced as our builders preferred vendor did I start to realize that Clear Signs capabilities were perfectly suited for my project. The fact that they were able to do the work of what has typically been 3-4 different contractors on a project this size provided an enormous advantage. From interior to exterior… a 4000sqft SS wall mural and LED building lighting Clear Sign had the experience to make my project a success”
Steve Donlon
Director of Construction
Ariel Suites LLC
“As the proud director of one of San Diego’s oldest Theaters It was important for us to maintain our historic animated neon sign. 18 months and tens of thousands of dollars later it was clear our current vendor was in over his head – In the end… it was the talented team at Clear Sign that finally finished the job that others could not, and brought life back to our beloved sign”
David Schulz
Artistic Director
Star Theater of Oceanside
“It can often times be difficult to find subs that act in the best interest of the project on a consistent basis. Gabe and the team at Clear Sign were a Clear exception on our last downtown project. From roaming deadlines, shifting scope and non-ideal site conditions the team at Clear Sign made easy work of a complicated project and did their part to help us see it across the finish line.”
Zach Adams
Sr. Project Manager
OliverMcMilan
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Song Gao
Supervisor
Carlsbad Tech
