Discovery Center Receives Major TBID Gift from Topeka Lodging Association

The Discovery Center has received a $10,000 gift from the Topeka Lodging Association to fund the upcoming Tiny Titans: Dinosaur Eggs and Babies traveling exhibit.

The Topeka Lodging Association in 2017 created a Tourism Business Improvement District, which allows all Topeka hotels to charge a $1 fee per sold room. This fee has allowed TLA to set aside a portion of the funds generated by this assessment to support and fund tourism-related activities in the capital city. This is the first major gift from that fund.

The Discovery Center, a nonprofit children’s museum located in Topeka’s Gage Park, will host Tiny Titans from Feb. 24 to May 30 as a part of Topeka Dino Days, a communitywide exhibition that will span various family-oriented venues across the city, drawing visitors from throughout the Midwest. The exhibit is also supported by Visit Topeka Inc.

Tiny Titans is a hands-on exhibition offering an array of authentic dinosaur eggs and nests collected from all across the globe, in addition to interactive play experiences. Visitors will be able to dig for eggs, dress up like a parent dinosaur to brood their nest, and feel the texture of dinosaur eggs. The exhibit will be included in the cost of regular admission to the Discovery Center, which also includes access to more than 15,000 square feet of indoor play space and 4.5 acres of outdoor exploration.

“This gift from the Topeka Lodging Association truly made it possible for us to be a part of Topeka Dino Days,” said Dene’ Mosier, president/CEO of the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center. “The exhibit is fun and educational for our local visitors, but will also help attract visitors from all across the region. It’s a wonderful investment in our community from the Topeka business community, and a great way to give back.”

Topeka Dino Days unites The Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center, the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center and Shawnee County Parks and Recreation, resulting in three core experiences and other exhibits that could bring up to 100,000 additional visitors to area attractions in spring 2022. Visit Topeka estimates those visitors may inject $4 million to $5 million into the local economy over the course of their stays, through lodging, dining and retail.