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:

$13,971,812.48 total dollars GPIA sales tax collected as of 10/13/2024

Total Received by the Discovery Center:

$2,103,356.97 received by the Discovery Center as of 10/13/2024

How are GPIA dollars used at the Discovery Center?

Permanent Exhibits

$885,984.29 invested in this category as of 10/13/2024

Highlights:

• Toddler Town
• Circuit maze and shake table
• Water table (coming 2025!)
• Dinosaurs (coming 2025!)

Special and Traveling Exhibits

$202,361.48 invested in this category as of 10/13/2024

Highlights:

• Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit
• Curious George: Let’s Get Curious!
• Camp Kansas
• XOXO: An Exhibit About Love and Forgiveness
• Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out

Facility Updates and Repairs

$143,183.54 invested in this category as of 10/13/2024

Highlight:

• Toddler Town Canopy
• Sidewalk Repairs
• Art and Cafe’ Flooring

Future Projects

$371,827.66 allocated to future projects as of 10/13/2024

Building Discovery

$500,000 allocated to Building Discovery expansion as of 10/13/2024

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.

• February 20, 2024 1 p.m. Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center
• March 19, 2024 1 p.m. Kansas Children’s Discovery Center
• April 23, 2024 1 p.m Gage Park facility
• May 21, 2024 1 p.m Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center, 12:15 p.m. Finance Committee meeting
• June 18, 2024 1 p.m Gage Park Carousel House, 12:15 p.m. Finance Committee meeting
• July 16, 2024 1 p.m Gage Park Carousel House, 12:15 p.m. Finance Committee meeting
• August 20, 2024 1 p.m Gage Park Carousel House, 12:15 p.m. Finance Committee meeting
• September 24, 2024 1 p.m Gage Park Carousel House, 12:15 p.m. Finance Committee meeting
• October 15, 2024 1 p.m Gage Park Carousel House, 12:15 p.m. Finance Committee meeting
• November 19, 2024 1 p.m Gage Park Carousel House, 12:15 p.m. Finance Committee meeting
• December 17, 2024 1 p.m Gage Park Carousel House, 12:15 p.m. Finance Committee meeting