A proposed animal safari park is planned on Route 258 near Slippery Rock and Grove City.

LIBERTY TWP, Mercer County — The owner of Living Treasures of Moraine animal park in Lawrence County is planning a new park where animals will have room to roam around as if they were in their natural habitats.

Adam Guiher, 29, hopes to break ground this year on an animal safari park on about 140 acres he bought on Route 258 near Grove City and close to Slippery Rock.

The park received a conditional use permit earlier this year from Liberty Township, though it is still working with state and federal agencies on other required approvals.

Guiher hopes to have the first phase of construction done for the park to open in late 2016 or early 2017.

The first phase of construction will include electric fences, a parking lot, 2.5 miles of roads, heated buildings for the animals in the winter, a building that will have small reptiles and other buildings and attractions in a 10-acre area where people will be able to walk around.

Unlike other animal parks and zoos in the region, the park will have an emphasis on giving the animals open space to roam.

“We want to get people close, but still allow the animals a large enough space that they can live a natural type of life,” Guiher said.

The main attraction will be bus tours through four different areas of endangered and exotic animals. The animals will be divided by continents with areas for North American, South American, Eurasian and African animals.

Another attraction will be an adventure park with a ropes course and zip lines, some of which will go over the animal areas offering unique views.