Your Questions, Answered: Explore Our FAQs
Welcome to the Topeka Zoo's FAQ page! We know planning a visit or event can come with many questions, and we're here to help. Whether you're curious about ticket pricing, event rentals, or our conservation efforts, this page is designed to provide you with the information you need. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, our team is always ready to assist you further. Explore our FAQs below to make the most of your time at the Topeka Zoo!
General Questions
What should my rental time include?
Your rental time should include set up, event time, and tear down. For example, if your event is 2:00-4:00 pm, and it’ll take you 2 hours to set up and 1 hour to tear down, your total paid rental time should be 12:00-5:00 pm, for a total of 5 hours. Please make sure to include any time your caterer, decorating team, or other vendors need to set up as well.
Is there a security deposit? Is it refundable?
There is a security deposit that will be added to your contract. This is a $250 minimum fee that increases depending on your event size and location in the Zoo.
The security deposit is refundable pending any damage to Zoo property, trash or items left in the event space, or other disorderly conduct.
The security deposit will be mailed to the name and address agreed upon at the final meeting with the Event Coordinators 2-6 weeks after your event.
What does my rental include?
All rental fees include:
- Full access to the booked event space.
- Tables and chairs set up by Zoo event staff according to your approved layout
- Zoo event staff to assist with event and venue-related questions
- Up to 3 pre-event consultations
Do I or my guests get free access to the Zoo with my rental?
Zoo access is included in wedding rentals, small party packages, and full Zoo rentals only. Zoo access times must be scheduled ahead of time with Zoo Event Coordinators. Event guests may visit the Topeka Zoo during Zoo hours, 9:00 am-5:00 pm, on their event day only, but they must enter through the designated gate. If guests go to the main admissions gates, they will be charged Zoo admission fees. Guests cannot leave the rental space grounds after the Zoo is closed at 5:00 pm.
If you would like to schedule an animal experience, please coordinate with the Event Coordinators at least 8 weeks in advance of your event so that we can ensure Keeper Staff is available. We cannot guarantee animal experiences will be available.
Does the Zoo provide table linens?
The Zoo will provide black linens for up to 2 buffet and 2 bar tables. All other table linens are not included (i.e. dessert tables, guest tables, gift tables, guestbook tables, etc.).
Will there be a Zoo staff member onsite at all times in case I have questions?
There will be at least one Zoo team member on-site at all times to assist with gate access and answer any questions.
What do I need to clean up? Can I leave my leftover food in the fridge for you and your staff?
Please remove everything from the event space that you brought in. The space should be returned to how it was found. This includes disposing of your trash or unwanted items in the trash cans and removing all centerpieces, decorations, programs, clothing, props, and personal items you brought in.
Please do not leave any food or beverages in the Venue fridge unless confirmed with Zoo team members. Your security deposit will not be returned if the room is not returned to its original condition.
Do you have preferred vendors?
You can bring in any vendor that you would like, we have an open vendor policy.
If you need suggestions, we do have a recommended vendor list with caterers, DJs, photographers, and more that are familiar with the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden and Venue.
I prefer Coca-Cola products over Pepsi products. Can I bring my own soda in?
Due to the option to purchase assorted Pepsi products through the Zoo, we do not allow outside beverages outside of the Corkage Package.
Can I bring my own alcohol in? If so, can I bring my own bartender as well?
You can bring your own alcohol in but there is a corkage fee and you must bring your own cups, mixers, garnishes, cocktail napkins, stir sticks, etc.
All alcohol must be stored behind the bar or in the kitchen at all times. Clients and guests are not allowed to self-serve from any location. Our bartenders are required to serve any alcohol provided/housed on our property. One bartender is included in all alcohol package options.
When do I need to have a last call for alcohol?
Last call is 15 minutes before the bar closes and all bar services will end an hour before your rental time to allow proper cleanup time, unless otherwise agreed upon with Event Coordinators.
Can I/my caterers cook in the kitchen at the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden & Venue or Camp Cowabunga?
Both of our kitchens are only prep kitchens. There is no stove or oven in the kitchen. Please plan accordingly with sternos, warmers, or crockpots if you need to keep food warm. Zoo kitchen items are not for public use and will not be available, please ensure you are prepared with plates, silverware, dessert plates, cake-cutting utensils, napkins, serving items, etc.
Do I need to bring ice?
There is a full-size ice machine in the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden & Venue kitchen that is available for use during your event time.
For events in Camp Cowabunga, ice will be provided for alcohol and beverage services purchased through the Topeka Zoo.
Can I smoke in the venue or inside the zoo grounds?
There is no smoking or vaping allowed inside Zoo property. All smoking or vaping must be done outside perimeter gates (i.e. Turtle Gate, South Gate, etc.). Violators will be fined and security deposit may be impacted.
Can I hang decorations anywhere in the venue?
You cannot tack, staple, sticky tack, tape, or otherwise hang anything on the floor, walls, windows, or doors inside or outside the Topeka Zoo venues. This includes Dung Beetle Square, Ross Family Pavilion, Turtle Gate, the Ceremony Dock, and the ceremony chairs. Zip ties may be used to decorate the Dock and Arbor, but they must be removed at the end of your rental. Yard signs are allowed in the grass, but locations need to be coordinated with the Event Coordinators ahead of time. If needed, the Zoo can provide an easel for signs to be placed on as well.
Can we use glitter within our centerpieces or anywhere else? Can I bring in a balloon arch?
We are a Conservation Center and in our effort to go green within all facilities, we do not allow loose artificial flower petals, glitter, tinsel, balloons, styrofoam, etc.
Can I use artificial flowers in my centerpieces, aisle decorations, etc?
Yes, as long as you are not using loose artificial flower petals, artificial flowers are allowed in our Venue. We ask that you do not use any loose flower petals that are not biodegradable in our Venue (real or freeze-dried flower petals are allowed).
Can I bring in styrofoam plates or cups?
Styrofoam plates and cups are not allowed in the Zoo due to our green initiative.
Can I have an open flame as part of my decorations?
Flames are not allowed unless they are contained. This means you can utilize candles inside jars and vases, but no tapered, pillar or free-flame candles are allowed without being enclosed. Battery-powered lights are encouraged.
Since you are a Zoo, can we interact with the animals at all?
We do have animal experiences available upon request for an additional fee - see separate sheet with options. All animal experiences must be booked a minimum of 2 months in advance to coordinate with other Zoo departments.
Do I need to help set up tables and chairs?
No, Zoo staff will have the Venue set up according to the layout you’ve finalized with the Event Coordinators.
I received my contract and invoice but you didn’t include the bar fee, stage fee, drinks, etc. Am I still getting these services?
Contracts and initial invoices are for the venue rental and security deposit only. Additional fees for consumables, item rentals, animal encounters, etc. are sent separately. Alcohol and bar fees are billed to/from FOTZ Catering LLC.
I’m not the one paying or signing the contract. Is that okay? What information do you need from me about the signer/payer?
Due to security measures in the HoneyBook software, contracts and invoices cannot be forwarded to additional parties. We will need first and last name and email address if someone else is signing the contract besides our main point of contact so they can be added to your HoneyBook account.
What happens if I cannot process payment through the HoneyBook portal?
If we cannot solve the issue through our troubleshooting process, we are not able to submit payment for you via HoneyBook. This is a security feature that HoneyBook offers. Events staff does not have access to any client payment information. The best alternative is to submit payment via check to the Zoo. Make rental payment checks payable to Friends of the Topeka Zoo, any alcohol services are payable to FOTZ Catering, LLC. Please include a copy of your invoice and write the event contact’s name in the memo section. The address is:
Friends of the Topeka Zoo, Inc c/o Events Team, 635 SW Gage Blvd Topeka, KS 66606
We are a Zoo business partner, do we get a discount?
Business partners receive a 10% discount. Discounts are applied to the rental cost only.
We are a non-profit organization, do we get a discount?
Non-profit organizations receive a 25% discount. Discounts are applied to the rental cost only.
Kay McFarland Japanese Garden & Venue
Do I really need to be out of the venue by 11:00 pm? Can we end at 11:00 pm and be out of the venue by midnight?
Gage Park hours end at 11:00 pm, in addition to following these rules set by the City of Topeka, we must follow the City of Topeka’s noise ordinance. This means all events must end and everyone must leave by 11:00 pm, which includes all tear down complete by 11:00 pm.
As the event host, how do I enter the venue? What about those helping me set up and my vendors?
Gate K, located on the west side of the Venue, near the Helen Hocker Theater, is only open for immediate family, bridal party, and vendors. Due to the Topeka Zoo’s regulatory agency, U.S.D.A., our perimeter gates must be closed and locked for the safety of our animals as well as to remain in compliance. For your safety, we keep the gate closed and secured, so strangers do not walk in from the park. This gate leads directly into the prep kitchen. The gate will be unlocked at your agreed-upon arrival time but may appear closed as it is a rolling gate. Please pull on the gate handle before trying another gate. If you are having trouble opening the gate at your contracted arrival time, please call the Events team phone number on the business card given at your month-out meeting and someone inside will help you. Please let your vendors and party members know, as the main Zoo entrance or admission booth is not available as an entrance and anyone entering through the main gates will be charged admission fees.
Gate K must be locked before your event starts, your guests are not permitted to enter through the service entrance. Please unload all of your items and then move your vehicle out of the gated area. If anyone needs in or out of this gate, please let our Events Team know so they can unlock it for you.
How do my guests enter the venue at event time?
Guests must enter and exit the Turtle Gate, which is the wooden gate off the north parking lot. This is considered one of the Topeka Zoo’s perimeter gates and has a restricted time and monitoring policy. Due to Topeka Zoo’s regulatory agency, U.S.D.A., our perimeter gates must be closed and locked for the safety of our animals as well as to remain in compliance. For your safety, we keep the gate manned or closed and secured, so strangers do not walk in from the park.
An Events team member will monitor this gate starting 30 minutes before your event start time and throughout your event (unless otherwise agreed upon with Events Staff). Guests arriving outside of this timeframe can be let in by Zoo staff via the Event cell phone number. If your guests need out and you cannot find a Zoo staff member, please use the buddy system to ensure that the gate is locked after exit.
What capacity does the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden Venue hold?
The Venue will hold 230 attendees maximum.
Please keep in mind this does not include DJ/dance floor and head table. This guest count will also have people sitting 10 per table, as opposed to our normal 8 per table.
Layouts can vary, which adjusts capacity.
How do I use the TVs for a presentation or website viewing?
The TV system is best used with PCs, not Macs. With a PC, you will just need an HDMI cord (Zoo staff will provide one) to plug your laptop/tablet into the wall plate. Zoo staff will assist with getting you set up. Please make sure you have a designated person on your event day to run any presentations you may have (ex: pressing the forward button on a slideshow, keeping your computer awake, etc.).
Do you have a speaker system available for use inside the venue?
There is an AV system embedded in the Venue. A microphone is included with your rental, upon request. This microphone can only be heard inside the venue hall. Please coordinate with Events staff ahead of time if the AV system is needed.
Do you have a speaker system available for an outdoor activity?
The Venue AV system is only captured indoors. There is outdoor electricity to power a portable system for those who have one, but the Zoo is unable to provide one.
I need a podium and a stage for my event, do you have one I can use? What size is the stage?
We do have a podium free of charge, available upon request.
A stage can be provided for an additional rental fee. The stage has 6 panels that are 8’ by 4’, with a minimum height of 18”, and can be set up accordingly.
Will the benches near the dock be moved out of the outdoor ceremony area?
The benches can be moved onto the loose rock area and used for additional seating.
I’d like to get married inside the Venue and have my reception inside as well. Is this included in the rental fee? Do I need to provide help? Can my guests stay in the room while it’s being flipped?
If you choose to seat your guests banquet-style during your ceremony, that is allowed at no additional cost. If you would like your guests to be seated in theater or ceremony-style seating, there is an additional fee of $250 for the room flip, to change the room layout to banquet-style seating.
No, Events staff will provide the room flip.
We ask that you give Events staff an hour to flip the room and have all your decorations and your guests clear the immediate vicinity to ensure that the room flip can happen as quickly and smoothly as possible. We recommend having your guests walk around the Zoo or Garden during the room flip process.
A room flip fee is required for any room modifications needed during your event, including removing tables for a dance floor.
I requested an Outside Ceremony and there is rain in the forecast for my date, can I move my event indoors?
Your event can be moved indoors up to 48 hours before your rental start time. This gives Events staff time to ensure we are set up properly for your event.
There is a $250 room flip fee to change your layout from ceremony seating to reception table seating if you do not want reception table seating for your ceremony.
Is rehearsal time included in my rental?
A 1-hour Thursday rehearsal is included with any wedding rental. Please contact the Event Coordinators as soon as you know what time will work, as all events for a weekend may want to book the same hour slot and they will be first come, first served.
If Thursday does not work for you, please reach out to the Event Coordinators and we will do our best to accommodate. We cannot guarantee Friday rehearsals as that is a prime event rental day.
Can we bring in artificial flower petals for our aisle?
We are a Conservation Center and in our effort to go green within all facilities, we do not allow artificial flower petals, glitter, tinsel, balloons, styrofoam, etc.
Freeze-dried or real flower petals are allowed for your aisle.
Can I use hairspray in the bridal suite?
Hairspray can be used in the bathroom of the bridal suite at the makeup counter but should be used with caution at the main table in the bridal suite because there is a smoke detector in that area. The mist of the spray acts like smoke and will trigger the alarm.
How many people can we seat inside the venue?
Comfortable indoor seating is 150 people.
Indoor table seating maxes out at 230 with 60” rounds seating 10 people per table. This seating does NOT include space for the DJ/dance floor and head table.
How many people can we seat outside?
Comfortable outdoor ceremony seating is 160 chairs on the blue stone.
The maximum outdoor ceremony seating with only a center aisle is 214 chairs. There will be no outside aisle with this many chairs.
What size tables do you have?
The venue has 60” round banquet tables, 8’x3’ banquet tables, 6’x3’ banquet tables, and 24” and 30” round cocktail high-top tables.
How many of each type of table do you have?
25 - 60” rounds, 27 - 8’ banquet tables, 14 - 6’ banquet tables, 20 - 30” w x 42” tall high top tables, 4 - 2’ w x 39” tall high top tables
How many outdoor chairs do you have?
214
How many indoor chairs do you have?
230
Can Zoo guests interrupt my event by coming into the gardens?
During Zoo hours, stanchions will be placed to keep Zoo guests away from the building and outdoor patio/ceremony location. Zoo guests are permitted to walk around the Gardens up until the ceremony or reception begins. Crane Gate (leading out into the Zoo) is closed 30 minutes before the ceremony or reception begins.
Camp Cowabunga Questions
Do I really need to be out of the Zoo by 9:00 pm?
The Topeka Zoo is primarily utilized during the day, therefore, it is not properly lit for evening events. For this reason, some buildings and parts of the Zoo may not be available after sunset. Events must end by 8:00 pm and all vendors, guests, and items must be out of the Zoo by 9:00 pm for everyone’s safety.
What capacity does Camp Cowabunga hold?
The indoor and outdoor space can hold up to 300 people.
Comfortable indoor seating is 150 people.
The Patas Monkey viewing area can comfortably hold 72 people, seated at rounds.
Layouts can vary, which adjusts capacity.
How many people can we seat outside?
Comfortable outdoor seating in Dung Beetle Square is 112 guests, seated at rounds.
Comfortable seating in the Ross Family Pavilion is 48 guests, seated at rounds.
What size tables do you have?
Camp Cowabunga has 60” round tables and 8’x3’ tables.
How many chairs do you have?
194
Do you have a speaker system available for an indoor or outdoor activity?
The Camp Cowabunga AV system is only captured indoors. There is outdoor electricity to power a portable system for those who have one.
In the main Zoo office, there is a Zoo-wide PA system, that is audible in the outdoor Camp Cowabunga area, for after-hours use only.
I need a podium for my event, do you have one I can use?
We do have a podium free of charge, available upon request.
Will the animals be out for my guests to see after hours?
We cannot guarantee any animal activity during an event. There is the possibility of seeing the African Lions, African Painted Dogs, Patas Monkeys, African Cape Porcupine, Reticulated Giraffes, Ostrich, the Lesser Kudu, and Bontebok, but we are not able to guarantee that guests will see any animals due to limitations outside our control.
Full Zoo Rental Questions
What’s the difference between a “Daytime, Non-Exclusive Full Zoo Rental” and an “Evening Exclusive Full Zoo Rental”? Why is there such a big difference in pricing?
A Daytime, Non-Exclusive Full Zoo Rental occurs during regular Zoo business hours of 9:00am to 5:00pm. This rental includes your choice of 4 hours within regular Zoo business hours, with additional hours available for purchase. Admission for 500 guests is included, with additional tickets available at a discounted rate. The Zoo is not closed for your guests only, it is open to the public. This rental includes access to the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden & Venue for an indoor location to be utilized at your discretion, i.e. food service, private entry, registration, etc.
An Evening Exclusive Full Zoo Rental occurs after regular Zoo business hours. The Zoo is open only for your guests and not the general public. This rental is available on a set schedule of 4:00-5:00 pm for set up, 5:00-8:00 pm for your event, and 8:00-9:00 pm for tear down and clean up. All event organizers, attendees and vendors must exit Zoo property by 9:00 pm. Admission for 500 guests is included, with additional tickets available at a discounted rate. This rental includes your choice of Camp Cowabunga or Kay McFarland Japanese Garden & Venue for an indoor location to be utilized at your discretion, i.e. food service, private entry, registration, etc. These rentals are set at a higher rate due to the additional Zoo staff necessary to facilitate the rental, including keeper staff, gift shop staff (if requested), cafe staff (if requested), etc.
Do I really need to be out of the Zoo by 9:00 pm?
The Topeka Zoo is primarily utilized during the day, therefore, it is not properly lit for evening events. For this reason, some buildings and parts of the Zoo may not be available after sunset. Events must end by 8:00 pm and all vendors, guests, and items must be out of the Zoo by 9:00 pm for everyone’s safety.
Can I have tables setup throughout the Zoo for my guests to eat at, for activities, etc.?
Yes, please coordinate any table needs with the Event Coordinators to ensure they are set up for you.
Can I bring in outside vendors for my event such as face painters, food trucks, photo booths, etc.?
Yes, if outside vendors are charging your guests for their services, a 15% vendor fee is due to the Topeka Zoo.
If you are paying an outside vendor to offer free services to your guests, there is no vendor fee due to the Topeka Zoo.
Is there electricity throughout the Zoo for use?
Yes, there are plug-ins throughout the zoo that can be used. The Event Coordinators can take you on a tour during your venue show and point out recommended places to set up items.
Are there water spigots throughout the Zoo for use?
Water spigots are available but their usage must be coordinated with the Event Coordinators prior to your event.
What do I do with empty boxes and trash bags from our stations throughout the Zoo?
Please take all trash bags and cardboard boxes to the orange dumpster in the main Zoo parking lot by Big Gage.
Additional Things to Note
Please ensure your guests stay on the paths.
Please help us keep the beauty of the Topeka Zoo and Kay McFarland Japanese Garden intact for other Zoo guests. Our Horticulturists take pride in the Kay McFarland Japanese Gardens and work hard to keep it the pride of Topeka.
Please ensure your guests do not bother any pond on Zoo property, as they contain live animals and are considered animal habitats.
Please do not allow anyone to put their hands, feet, sticks, or personal items in the water.
There is no smoking or vaping of any kind allowed on Zoo property.
Please use the buddy system to step outside the Turtle Gate. Please ensure the Gate is closed and reopened when the person who smokes is ready to come back inside.
Please DO NOT leave any gate open and/or unattended.
We would like to reiterate that Topeka Zoo’s perimeter gates must be closed and locked for the safety of our animals and the public, due to regulations set by Topeka Zoo’s regulatory agency, U.S.D.A.