What is the Gage Park Improvement Authority (GPIA)?

Generations of memories have been made at Gage Park. From train rides and trips to the zoo, to summer camps and swimming, many of our community’s best childhood memories are centered around historic Gage Park.The Gage Park Improvement Authority (GPIA) was created by a vote of Shawnee County residents on November 8, 2022. Shawnee County residents voted in favor of the ballot question: “Shall a Gage Park Improvement Authority be created and supported through the levy of a 0.2% countywide sales tax to benefit Gage Park, the Topeka Zoo and Kansas Children’s Discovery Center?”

Breakdown of Allocation

The breakdown of the allocation of this tax revenue is:

• 58% to the Topeka Zoo
• 22% to Shawnee County Parks and Recreation for Gage Park
• 15% to the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center
• 5% to the Gage Park Improvement Authority.

GPIA dollars at the Discovery Center fund new exhibits and experiences. Dollars granted to the Discovery Center do not support everyday museum operations, but capital projects, special exhibits and outreach programs. In short: growth, that would not be possible without this investment.

GPIA Dollars Collected

Total GPIA Collections in 2024:

$9,004,491.15 total dollars GPIA sales tax collected

Total Received by the Discovery Center in 2024:

$1,358,258.77 received by the Discovery Center

*GPIA allocated an additional $25,000 to the Discovery Center to support TSCPL Passes

How are GPIA dollars used at the Discovery Center?

Building Discovery and Permanent Exhibits

$1,252,446.40 invested in this category in 2024

Highlights:

• Click for full information about the Building Discovery Project
• Circuit maze and shake table
• Dinosaurs
• Water table (coming 2025!)

Special and Traveling Exhibits

$33,968.18 invested in this category in 2024

Highlights:

• XOXO: An Exhibit About Love and Forgiveness
• Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out
• Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails

Facility Updates and Repairs

$65,028.66 invested in this category in 2024

Highlights:

• Toddler Town Canopy
• Sidewalk Repairs

When are GPIA meetings?

GPIA meetings are open to the public. Location will vary. Dates, times, and locations are tentative. They will be finalized at the meeting prior.

• Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 1:30 p.m.  at the Gage Park Carousel House, 12:15 p.m. Finance Committee meeting
• Special Meeting: Wednesday, February 5, 2025, 8:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Shawnee County Parks and Recreation Office, 3137 SE 29th
• Tuesday, February 18, 2025 – meeting cancelled due to inclement weather
• Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 1:30 p.m.  at the Gage Park Carousel House, 12:15 p.m. Finance Committee meeting
• Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 1:30 p.m.  at the Gage Park Carousel House, 1:00 p.m. Finance Committee meeting
• Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 1:30 p.m.  at the Gage Park Carousel House, 1:00 p.m. Finance Committee meeting
• Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 1:30 p.m.  at the Gage Park Carousel House, 1:00 p.m. Finance Committee meeting
• Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 1:30 p.m.  at the Gage Park Carousel House, 1:00 p.m. Finance Committee meeting
• Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 1:30 p.m.  at the Gage Park Carousel House, 1:00 p.m. Finance Committee meeting
• September 16, 2025, 1:30 p.m.  at the Gage Park Carousel House, 1:00 p.m. Finance Committee meeting
• October 21, 2025, 1:30 p.m.  at the Gage Park Carousel House, 1:00 p.m. Finance Committee meeting
• Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 1:30 p.m.  at the Gage Park Carousel House, 1:00 p.m. Finance Committee meeting
• Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 1:30 p.m.  at the Gage Park Carousel House, 1:00 p.m. Finance Committee meeting