Exploration Place Marks Completion of EP2 Initiative
May 14, 2026
WICHITA, Kan. — Exploration Place on May 7 will hold a ceremony marking the official completion of its EP2 Initiative, a $27 million outdoor expansion of its riverfront campus. The project encompassed two major additions: the Wichita Foundation Amphitheater, which opened in fall 2024, and the Adventure Playscapehttps://exploration.org/adventure-playscape/, which opened March 13, 2026.
The ceremony takes place at 4:30 p.m. on May 7 with an opportunity for photos and video.
Remarks will be offered by:
- Gayle Malone, Exploration Place board chair
- U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall
- U.S. Rep. Ron Estes
- Mayor Lily Wu
- Commissioner Jeff Blubaugh, chair of the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners
- Commissioner Ryan Baty
- Adam Smith, EP president and CEO
The Adventure Playscape is a 6.5-acre outdoor destination designed to draw families from across the Midwest. The attraction features 10 themed environments inspired by Kansas’ landscape, heritage and identity. Since opening in March, the Playscape has welcomed more than 100,000 guests.
The Wichita Foundation Amphitheater, set against the backdrop of the Arkansas River and the Keeper of the Plains, is a civic gathering place for cultural events, live music and family programming. The amphitheater is entering its second season of Friday evening RiverFlix movies and will present a Levitt music series this fall.
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The mission of Exploration Place, Kansas’ premier science center, is to inspire a deeper interest in science and technology through creative and fun experiences for all. The museum opened in 2000 and welcomes 400,000 visitors annually. Provided photos: exploration.org/playscapemedia.
