Riverside Pagoda Renovation Project
The Friends of the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit is proud to announce the Riverside Park Pagoda Renovation Project. The goal of the Project is to craft the Pagoda into a state-of-the-art educational and community space to support the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit. Our goal is raising $200,000 for this important work. The Pagoda stands as a reminder of the wealth of history in Riverside Park and the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit. Its location and background provide the perfect backdrop to an expansion of educational offerings at the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit. as well as a community hub in a Wichita park jewel. These renderings give a small idea of what the Pagoda could be restored to and offer a glimpse of what we hope to accomplish with your support.
Pagoda History
The Pagoda in Riverside Park has mostly sat empty since 1936. Built in 1911, it was designed by William Springfield of the Wichita Association of Architects. Springfield’s design was meant to evoke a “quaint Japanese style.” The pagoda was originally operated as a concession stand for the former Riverside Zoo and was run by Coca-Cola at one point.
The building was utilized for concessions for two years before being converted into a bathroom with waiting rooms in 1913. Then in 1938 it became a storage unit. Architect Robert Morris designed a color scheme to repaint the pagoda in 1961, altering its original primarily red coloring.
In 1964, the Pagoda became the Children’s Pagoda House and was used by the Wichita Zoological Society as a means to generate interest in a new zoo. The pagoda has weathered many events and attempts at restoration but to this day has remained mainly untouched as storage.
Project Vision
Despite its dormant history, the Pagoda is bursting with potential. The Pagoda is in a prime spot in Riverside Park. It sits next door to the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit, offering an incredible opportunity for kids and adults to learn about and meet native Kansas wildlife. The Pagoda could also be rented to schools, community groups, and Riverside Park visitors. renovation of the Pagoda will have enormous value for the crown jewel of the City of Wichita Park system. An incredible number of people visit Riverside Park each year, including hundreds of busloads of kids from across Kansas. The Kansas Wildlife Exhibit is a special draw – with 40,000 people attending daily feedings and special events at the Exhibit last year alone. A renovated Pagoda would be an ideal place to learn about Kansas native wildlife from the Exhibit, like Keeper the golden eagle, Rufus the bobcat, Chapa the beaver, Chuck the turkey vulture and more!
How You Can Help!
Spread the word!
Help us share this project with as many Wichitans as you can! We know many will be excited to know this iconic treasure is being restored once they find out! So be sure to tell your friends, families, and networks all about it!
DONATE!
In order to do this project well, we need to raise $200,000 in capital. Every dollar counts towards that goal and we hope you’ll contribute to making this vision a reality.
Checks can be mailed to:
Friends of the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit
P.O. Box 2593
Wichita, KS 67201
(be sure to include Pagoda Project in the “for” line)
Online donations can be made below or you can find us on PayPal:
@FriendsoftheKansasWildlifeExhibit
(be sure to include that your gift is for the Pagoda)