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 dollars annually 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. 2025 meetings will be on the third Tuesday of every month at 1:30pm, with the Finance Committee meeting in advance at 12:45pm.
Meetings are held at the Carousel House in Gage Park.
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!
