Junior League of Wichita Celebrates 100 Years with $2 Million Gift to Exploration Place

EP2 Expansion FAQ

• What is the timeline for this project?

  The Wichita Foundation Amphitheater opened in September 2024. The outdoor playscape exhibit has broken ground and will open spring 2026.

• How did the vision come about?

  Current operations at Exploration Place take place almost exclusively indoors, in the galleries, theaters and classrooms of the museum buildings. When developing its most recent five-year strategic plan, Exploration Place interviewed 58 leaders across industry, government, education, and community; and emailed a survey to 11,600 museum visitors. A strong consensus emerged that Exploration Place should extend its mission outdoors into its 20-acre riverfront property. Exploration Place thus embarked on a bold vision to create a one-of-a-kind outdoor immersive exhibit enticing tourism capable of drawing 1 million visitors each year.

• Who is designing the playscape?

  The playscape is being designed by Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects, Kansas City, with support from Schaefer Architecture, Wichita.  Significant play experiences are being designed by Monstrum (Denmark), Kompan (Denmark and US), Richter Spielgeräte, (Germany) and Fluidity Design (US).

• What can I expect to see in the playscape?

  There will be 10 unique and themed areas including: 

  1. Textron Aviation Flight Adventure
  2. Junior League Water Play Cascades
  3. Cargill Agriculture Overlook
  4. Bison Hill 
  5. Foggy Flint Hills
  6. Prairie Play Zipline 
  7. Sensory Garden
  8. Slide Hill
  9. Sunflower Meadow
  10. Treetop Climber

• Will there be a play area just for younger children?

  Yes! Sunflower Meadow is a dedicated play area tailored specifically for children aged 0-5 years old. While other sections of the playscape will incorporate features suitable for this age group, the Sunflower Meadow will be entirely devoted to our youngest visitors.

• Will the playcape be accessible for all?

  Exploration Place is working closely with an accessibility consultant, Kanics Inclusive Design Services, to help ensure guests of all abilities can enjoy this new addition. Each play structure has components designed to be accessible to a broad range of guests. One example is a wheelchair accessible carousel in Textron Aviation Flight Adventure.

• Why did you choose to use metal slides? Won't they get too hot?

  We carefully designed our metal slides to avoid the problem of overheating, following safety standards published by ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials). This includes smart choices like orienting the slides to face north-northeast and providing plenty of shade from trees, towers and other structures—and in some cases, adding dedicated shade structures. The project will include an additional of over 200 shade trees throughout the playscape.

  Reasons why metal slides are an industry standard:

  • Durability – Stainless steel outperforms plastic in terms of longevity. It resists UV damage, temperature fluctuations, and heavy wear, making it ideal for high-use spaces or sites prone to vandalism.
  • Sustainability – Designed with care by Richter Spielgeräte, our equipment is built to last using environmentally responsible materials.
  • Safety – Stainless steel does not produce static electricity, an important safety consideration for children with cochlear implants.
  • Play Value – Metal slides offer a smoother, faster ride than plastic, supporting healthy risk-taking and providing an exciting, engaging experience for children.

• How can I support the project?

  For sponsorships and donations to the EP2 campaign, contact [email protected].

• Do you need volunteers?

  Exploration Place is always looking for dedicated and passionate volunteers and this expansion will create many new roles and opportunities. Anyone interested in volunteering should apply here.

• Private Events and Rentals

  Interested in renting our facilities? Please reach out to our rentals team at 316-660-0642.

• Will the playscape be in a secure environment?

  Our goal is to create a safe and enjoyable space where families can feel confident about their children’s safety while they play and explore. The playscape will be staffed and fully fenced with controlled access points to ensure children cannot wander off, providing peace of mind for parents.

• Will there be a charge to access the playscape?

  The playscape will be included with regular Exploration Place admission, free for members, and included in other free exhibit admission programs such as Sunflower Summer, Museums For All, Blue Star Museums and Library Memberships. We’re not introducing a separate upcharge for the playscape, and are not planning any significant price increases. Consider it an added benefit to the Exploration Place you know today.

• What if I have a question not answered here?

  If you have additional questions, please email [email protected].