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 to levy a 0.2% sales tax to benefit Shawnee County Parks and Rec for Gage Park, The Topeka Zoo, Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, and the Gage Park Improvement Authority.
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.
The Zoo’s portion of GPIA allocated dollars, offsets property taxes previously received from the City of Topeka, through the license and management agreement between Friends of the Topeka Zoo (FOTZ) and the City of Topeka.
Dollars granted to the Zoo support everyday Zoo Operations, setting aside $1MM annual toward the zoo’s masterplan.
It takes approximately $9.1 million to operate the zoo.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
Gage Park Improvement Authority Meetings shall be held by the Authority on a monthly basis.
12:30 PM Finance Committee meeting precedes the board meeting each month.
2024 Meetings*
Date Time Location
- January 17, 2024 1pm Gage Park facility
- February 20, 2024 1pm Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center
- March 19, 2024 1pm Kansas Children’s Discovery Center
- April 23, 2024 1pm at Synder's Cabin
- May 21, 2024 1pm Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center
- June 25, 2024 1pm - Carousel in the Park, Gage Park
- July 16, 2024 1pm - Carousel in the Park, Gage Park
- August 20, 2024 1pm - Carousel in the Park, Gage Park
- September 24, 2024 1pm - Carousel in the Park, Gage Park
- October 15, 2024 1pm - Carousel in the Park, Gage Park
- November 19, 2024 1pm - Carousel in the Park, Gage Park
- December 17, 2024 1pm - Carousel in the Park, Gage Park
- *Dates, times, and locations are tentative. They will be finalized at the meeting prior.
ZOO OPERATIONS & ADDITIONAL FUNDRAISING TO SUPPORT ZOO OPERATIONS
GPIA Supports
ADDITIONAL REVENUE SOURCES TO HELP SUPPORT THE ZOO
Thank you for supporting your Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center!
