Gage Park Improvement Authority (GPIA)

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?"

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
$5,707,121.33 total dollars GPIA sales tax collected as of 12/1/23
Total Received by the Discovery Center

$856,068.20 received by the Discovery Center as of 12/1/23

 

 

How are GPIA dollars used at the Discovery Center?

Permanent Exhibits

$43,413.70 invested in this category as of 12/1/23

Highlight: Toddler Town

Special and Traveling Exhibits

$170,132.21 invested in this category as of 12/1/23

Highlights:
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit
Curious George: Let’s Get Curious!
Camp Kansas

Facility Updates and Repairs
$102,611.24 invested in this category as of 12/1/23 Highlight: Art and Cafe' Flooring
Future Projects

$39,911.05 allocated to future projects as of 12/1/23

Building Discovery

$500,000 allocated to Building Discovery expansion as of 12/1/23

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.

  • December 19, 2023 1pm Zoom (contact us for link)
  • January 16, 2024 1pm Gage Park facility
  • February 20, 2024 1pm Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center
  • March 19, 2024 1pm Kansas Children’s Discovery Center
  • April 16, 2024 1pm Gage Park facility
  • May 21, 2024 1pm Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center
  • June 18, 2024 1pm Kansas Children’s Discovery Center
  • July 16, 2024 1pm Gage Park facility
  • August 20, 2024 1pm Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center
  • September 17, 2024 1pm Kansas Children’s Discovery Center
  • October 15, 2024 1pm Gage Park facility
  • November 19, 2024 1pm Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center
  • December 17, 2024 1pm Kansas Children’s Discovery Center

 

 

How else is the Discovery Center funded?

 

Learn more about the museum's impact by downloading our annual report.