Friends of The Topeka Zoo

The Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center is Northeast Kansas’ premier family destination outside the Kansas City metro, welcoming over 262,000 guests annually and caring for more than 200 animals. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Zoo is committed to enriching the community through wildlife conservation and education.

Located in Topeka’s Gage Park, the Zoo was founded in 1933 and gained national attention under founding director Gary K. Clarke for its innovation in exhibit design and animal care. It pioneered the world’s first geodesic dome rainforest and was the first to hatch and rear an American golden eagle in human care. Clarke later became the first Board President of what is now the AZA.

In 2021, the City of Topeka and Friends of the Topeka Zoo formed a public-private partnership, transitioning Zoo operations to Friends of the Topeka Zoo, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. This model supports a wide range of programs, from daily operations to special events and education initiatives.

Signature events like Boo at the Zoo, Zoo Lights, and adult events like Roar and Pour, offer engaging experiences for all ages. The Zoo’s STEAM-based education programs—including camps, Zoo2U, and EcoClub—connect students with wildlife and inspire a lifelong commitment to conservation.

• Cynthia McCarvel
  Strategic Partnerships Director
  Phone: (785) 368-9148