Exploration Place is getting an aviation playground

20 March 2024

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Wichita’s love of airplanes is about to play out on a playground in the heart of the city. Exploration Place says the Textron Aviation Flight Adventure should be ready for children in the fall of 2025.

The design concept for Textron Aviation Flight Adventure (Courtesy Exploration Place)

The 6.5-acre playscape will have 10 individual playgrounds. Exploration Place says Textron Aviation is the naming sponsor of the central and largest one. The Textron playground will feature a Beechcraft Staggerwing biplane sculpture on a towering control tower and an explorable Cessna Citation business jet. The goal is not just for children to climb and play but for their imaginations to take flight.


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Exploration Place believes the new destination playscape will attract thousands more visitors each year. Last year, the science and discovery center welcomed 403,543 visitors. With the addition of the play area, that number could soar to one million.

Officials say some of Exploration Place’s goals are to elevate the quality of life for residents and bolster STEM education resources.

Textron Aviation Inc. says its sponsorship of the aviation playground represents its dedication to Wichita and its belief in the power of inspiring the next generation of innovators.

“By supporting this signature play area, we aim to deepen interest in science and technology while paying tribute to the generations of people in our community who have contributed to Cessna and Beechcraft’s rich heritage and legendary accomplishments,” Ron Draper, Textron Aviation president and CEO, said in a news release.


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“This expansion is an extraordinary investment in Wichita and the state of Kansas,” Adam Smith, Exploration Place president and CEO, said. “Textron Aviation’s support will help inspire a deeper interest in science and technology with this signature play area that will serve as a living tribute to Wichita as the Air Capital of the World.”

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