Cover Story: TIP project takes a bow
Jim Royer and Donna Knoell are shown at TIP’s parking lot with a ‘zero grade’ accessibility.
By Gerald Hay
Jim Royer of Prairie Village wears braces on both ankles, uses a walker and sometimes needs a wheelchair, and is a stroke survivor from three years ago.
He’s also a longtime fan and supporter of Johnson County’s Theatre in the Park in Shawnee Mission Park.
Royer and his wife, Donna Knoell, both give a standing ovation to the recently completed improvements to the TIP complex.
The remake of TIP’s accessible access point and entrance features new markings, signage and a “zero grade” sloped entry with curb-less path from the parking lot to the TIP bowl for seating. The project ensures improved accessibility for Royer and anyone with mobility challenges or disabilities.
“Accessibility for me is just being able to walk into Theatre in the Park bowl and enjoy the show,” Royer said. Knoell agreed.
“The improvements are very important to the park and to the community,” she added.
“There are so many people who need ADA accessibility, to better and safely make the park a welcoming and beautiful place to relax and enjoy the park’s beauty and the theater!”
Married since 1984, the couple has resided in Prairie Village since 1988. He worked for IBM for 30 years and retired in 2001. Knoell remains busy as an educational consultant, beginning her long career in 1968 as a teacher at Prairie Elementary School in Prairie Village.
A member of the Shawnee Mission Sertoma Club since 1975, Royer was instrumental in initiating the project and leading the club’s fundraising committee to build a new outdoor theatre in 1980 at Shawnee Mission Park. He currently is the club representative on the TIP Advisory Council.
Park officials and county commissioners celebrated the completion of the TIP improvements and new restroomson May 20 by cutting a roll of TP as a ribbon.
They have been TIP supporters since the Johnson County Park and Recreation program began in 1970 on a small stage in Antioch Park in Merriam.
“We didn’t drink too much at theatre performances at Antioch Park because TIP only had porta-potties,” Knoell said with a laugh.
With the TIP relocation to Shawnee Mission Park, permanent restrooms were built in the 1980s. The original restroom building was razed and replaced by new restrooms with improved stalls.
“Both the zero-grade handicap parking and the restrooms are huge improvements to the park. Being able to get out of a car and safely walk forward without taking any steps up from the curb makes it a much safer place,” Knoell said.
“The bathrooms are also much more accessible and more convenient, and having grab bars makes them much safer for those with noticeable handicaps, but also for many people who simply benefit from a safer place.”
Enacted 35 years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment and access to state and local government programs and services.
“Each year the district makes progress to achieving the goal of greater inclusivity to all its facilities, programs, services and activities,” Project Manager Rodney Riffle said.
Not all accessibility improvements are “pour-concrete projects,” like TIP’s new restrooms. Installing signage at the entrance of a building that directs visitors to an elevator, a ramp or an accessible restroom are examples of small and important projects.
As an example, Knoell praised the addition of a movable gate to the TIP entrance to allow park visitors access to the bathrooms when TIP is not in season.
“That was a brilliant design feature,” she said. “It makes it a double improvement, benefitting those who are attending a theater performance and also anyone in the park that needs restrooms.”
JCPRD’s to-do 2025 list of projects in design and under construction include phase 1 of replacing drinking fountains at park shelters and playgrounds.
“Most of the drinking fountains that we are replacing only have one fountain. We are replacing them with drinking fountains that are called ‘hi-lo’ fountains. These fountains have a higher fountain and a lower one for wheelchair access,” Riffle said.
Other projects involve on-going parking lot improvements at multiple locations, improved access at three shelters and two trailheads in the Mill Creek Streamway Park and remodeling the Administration Building at Shawnee Mission Park.
TIP improvements included a ‘hi-lo’ drinking fountain used by Donna Knoell. The fountain also features a ‘lo-lo’ spout at the bottom for pets.
Full remodeling at the De Soto and Spring Hill Libraries that includes accessibility improvements are among the 2025 projects by Johnson County Library. Other projects include:
- Restroom remodel at Cedar Roe Library and replacement of main access doors.
- West courtyard area and west access ramp at Leawood Pioneer Library.
- Central Resource Library accessible parking and replacement of main access doors.
Johnson County’s Facilities Management Department plans to improve the access area at the Lanesfield Historic Site in Edgerton and update the public service counters at the Sunset Drive Office and Administration Office Buildings, both in Olathe.
While some disabilities are visible, many Johnson County residents are living with those that are not. Hearing loss, restricted vision, age-related physical impairments and mental disorders may not be so obvious.
According to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, it’s estimated that 9% of Johnson County’s population, or more than 57,880 residents, have a disability. The survey indicates 45.9% of the population aged 75 and older and 7% of working age adults aged 18-64 have some form of disability.
“Some of the people who have limits to their mobility are just recovering from an accident or health issue, but many people in Johnson County and the metro area have permanent disabilities and limits to their mobility,” Knoell said.
“Making our parks and public facilities ADA accessible makes for a welcoming and safe place for everyone!”