Ground breaking for Exploration Place’s Destination Playscape
June 28, 2024
WICHITA, Kansas โ Exploration broke ground today on its new destination playscape. Prepare for a world-class revolution in play: Ten exquisitely landscaped playgrounds, crafted with theme park perfection, will unite to electrify Wichitaโs community and draw tourists from far and wide.
The ceremony included brief remarks by:
- Gayle Malone, Exploration Place board chair
- Sarah Lopez, Sedgwick County commissioner and Exploration Place board member
- Lily Wu, Wichita mayor
- Adam Smith, Exploration Place president and CEO
- Kayla Savage, Kansas Department of Commerce
- Ami Schlader, Junior League of Wichita
- Stephanie Harder, Textron Aviation
- Ryan Baty, chairman of the Sedgwick County Commission
The 6.5-acre playscape will open in fall 2025. Designed by the renowned landscape architects Hoerr Schaudt, it will include contributions from some of the finest playground manufacturers in the world.
The interactive elements of the Flight Adventure, Foggy Flint Hills, Agriculture Overlook, Sunflower Meadow, Water Play Cascades and Bison Hill invite visitors of all ages to discover the wonders of our state, fostering a deeper appreciation for its natural beauty, heritage and pioneering spirit.
Illustrated through vivid play structures such as a Beechcraft Staggerwing biplane, explorable Cessna Citation business jet, rocket ship connecting to the Ad Astra motto, Great Bison, towering stalks of wheat, a combine harvester and more, the exhibit celebrates the spirit of Kansas.
Exploration Place opened in April 2000 and welcomed a record 403,543 visitors in 2023.
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The mission of Exploration Place, Kansasโ premier science center, is to inspire a deeper interest in science and technology through creative and fun experiences for all. Exploration Place is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and through 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday evenings this summer. For more information, visit exploration.org.
