After years of anticipation, the National Zoo's new elephant exhibit is open to the public.

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Kids visiting the National Zoo Thursday gave the exhibit dedicated to the zoo's biggest friends a big thumbs up.

The exhibit, in addition to being more visitor friendly, is also more animal friendly, according to zoo officials.

"It's a lot more natural looking, it's full of grass, the elephants are going to have a good time--they're going to be playing in the pool," said Marie Galloway, the elephant manager.

The exhibit's theme is flexibility. Elephants are able to wander at their leisure between many of the different play areas, making for a significant lifestyle improvement.

"There is so much versatility and free choice built into the exhibit," Galloway said. "Every stall inside the barn accesses a stall adjacent to it, outdoor space, and a transfer hallway that goes out in front of them."

The space features two new yards, a swimming pool, and five new stalls. The sand in one stall is four feet deep. Coils will heat the sand over the winter.

"It's a great place for animals to live and for people to enjoy them," said Chuck Filla, the associate director of exhibits.

There's also a new restraint device, for administering medication, and an exercise trail.

"It's about a third of a mile up and back," zoo Curator Tony Barthel said. "It covers almost five stories of elevation change."

Ultimately the exhibit aims to raise awareness about the endangered species. There aren't many Asian elephants left.

"People come to our zoo and they fall in love with our elephants," Barthel said. "And they learn more, and they're connected to elephants and they want to know what they can do to help."

The zoo is already planning to expand the exhibit further, adding more yards and another pool. It's scheduled to be completed by 2013.