Theatregoers will notice a number of major improvements to Theatre in the Park’s outdoor facility in Shawnee Mission Park when its 2025 season gets underway in late May.

The concrete block restroom previously on the northeast side of the theatre bowl has been demolished and replaced with a new accessible restroom further north within the bowl. The new facility is about 25% larger than the previous one and includes accessible stalls and family restrooms.

Parking improvements include moving accessible parking closer to the accessible entry gate with an improved quality and quantity of spaces. The parking lot has also been reconfigured with new pavement markings and will have a large island with trees and landscaping to improve safety and flow of traffic.

The project also improves accessibility on the paths connecting ADA parking, restrooms, the concourse area and paths to accessible seating areas in the bowl, while creating more than 700 linear feet of paved accessible pathways.

Residents can get a “sneak peek” at the new ADA improvements during a Kansas City Symphony Mobile Music Box concert at the Theatre in the Park Parking Lot scheduled for May 19. The restroom will be open for display (not use) beginning at 5 p.m., and the concert will begin at 6 p.m. A ribbon cutting for the improvements is set for 9 a.m. on May 20.

In 2023, JCPRD accepted $2 million in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds from the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners for the purpose of funding ADA improvements at Theatre in the Park.

Improvements got underway immediately following Theatre in the Park’s 2024 season and are the first major renovations at the outdoor facility since dressing rooms were redone in 2014.