Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Family Entertainment Center?
The term "Family Entertainment Center" (FEC) defines an industry as a whole. Paradise Park is a part of this industry, which includes over 20,000 facilities worldwide.

Family entertainment centers are community-based and usually located near residential areas rather than a downtown business district or tourist locations. Typically, our guests visit Paradise Park six or more times in a year and stay approximately 2 to 2 ½ hours each visit.

Paradise Park offers several anchor attractions: a children's edutainment center; foam factory; rock climbing wall; bumper cars; token-operated game room with redemption prizes; miniature golf; go karts; and batting cages. Paradise Park includes a café to service its guests, and offers party packages and group events for corporations, schools, churches and individuals. Indoor party and meeting rooms are available for groups, as well as a sheltered outdoor picnic pavilion, sand volleyball court and campfire area. The availability of multiple attractions for families on a single property drives repeat usage by our guests. This gives Paradise Park a unique brand identity and differentiates us from other entertainment options.

What is a Children's Edutainment Center?
One of the primary attractions at Paradise Park is the children's edutainment center (CEdC). Designed for children nine (9) years old and younger, it is a first for the greater Kansas City area and integrates children's educational experiences into a fantasy of discovery play, exploration and fun!

A children's edutainment center emphasizes hands-on discovery learning through developmentally-appropriate spontaneous play, and it includes some elements of pure entertainment. At Paradise Park, not only do children have fun, they also learn social, physical, mental and emotional development skills. Our children's edutainment center is just plain fun for the children, and they have absolutely no comprehension they are learning while they enjoy the activities. In a nutshell, edutainment combines play with learning.

At Paradise Park, children develop their social skills by interacting and playing with other children. This is increasingly important to more and more parents today. Unlike our grandparents' generation that viewed children's play and learning as two separate entities, today's parents prefer to combine these experiences. Adults want their children to learn as they play.

The children's edutainment center at Paradise Park fulfills these needs for both parents and children with a variety of indoor activities and an outdoor adventure play garden. Paradise Park values the productive use of our guests' leisure time and strives to improve children with worthwhile activities.

Paradise Park believes that consumers want to enrich their lives and that of their children, but they have lesser amounts of leisure time to accomplish this. That's why a children's edutainment center is important, especially with college-educated families. In addition, the children's edutainment center provides a safe and enclosed environment, where children and adults must enter and exit together.

Paradise Park's children's edutainment center features indoor activities that include: pretend classroom; block building; interactive children's cooking; soft contained play climbing; miniature play; face painting; water room; infant-toddler area; pretend village with a pretend Bank of Lee's Summit and Hy-Vee supermarket; art studio and performance area. Scheduled show times are available daily in the performance area featuring Stuffee, a 7-foot doll presented by Lee's Summit Medical Center. The outdoor children's garden includes: pedal go karts; dinosaur dig and sand play; pretend fishing stream; and a variety of fun playground equipment.

Group and field trip rates are available to the children's edutainment center for groups of 20 or more children. Call (816) 246-5224, ext. 105, or e-mail us at geoff.hill@paradise-park.com to schedule a field trip to the children's edutainment center.

What is the History of Paradise Park and how did it evolve?
Although Paradise Park celebrated its Grand Opening in May of 2004, the family entertainment center originally opened in 1992 as Putter's Paradise. The initial facility included a 3,500 square foot clubhouse building and two miniature golf courses. In 1993, an eight-station outdoor batting cage was added, and an indoor 20-station game room was added in 1994. Finally, in 1998, an outdoor golf driving range was added to the mix. The golf driving range would eventually be replaced with a family-oriented go kart track.

Located in Lee's Summit, Missouri, a suburb just 16 miles southeast of Kansas City, Putter's Paradise was extremely successful and grew with the community. During the 1990s and into the 21st century, the city of Lee's Summit grew significantly faster than the Kansas City metropolitan area due to its excellent school systems, attractive quality of life and quick access to the amenities available in Kansas City.

With that in mind, Putter's Paradise sought an aggressive expansion to keep up with the growth and demographics of its surrounding area. In late 2000, the company retained the White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group to conduct a market feasibility study for possible expansion. The feasibility study was favorable and discovered a tremendous business opportunity. Not only was there a large market area population to support expansion, but it exposed a target market niche of white-collar, upper middle-class and above, college-educated families with children.

Once the feasibility study identified the opportunity to attract a specified target market, White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group was retained to produce the new center for ownership. White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group helped orchestrate the overall design of the new facility and established a new brand identity. Issues such as the quality and environment of the décor, ambiance, lighting, acoustics, furniture and way-finding signage were all addressed successfully.

The old Putter's Paradise building was demolished September 3, 2002, to make way for the new Paradise Park 35,000 square foot indoor facility. By December of 2003, Paradise Park was open for business on its 14.5 acres of land and held a grand opening celebration May 7-9, 2004.

Paradise Park quickly became a big hit within the local community by attracting families with children, particularly college-educated families from upper middle-income and above backgrounds. On September 30, 2004, Paradise Park was honored with the Golden Token Award as the Best New or Renovated Family Entertainment Center (FEC) by the International Association for the Leisure & Entertainment Industries (IALEI). The award is given annually to recognize design excellence in the family entertainment center industry, which includes over 20,000 facilities worldwide.

In May 2006, Paradise Park was awarded the Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce "Small Business of the Year" award and was inducted into the Chamber's Hall of Fame in January 2007.

This success also established the foundation to attract successful corporate partners. Paradise Park is proud to have Lee's Summit Subaru, Lee's Summit Medical Center, Hy-Vee, Bank of Lee's Summit and Coca-Cola as its sponsors. These sponsorships allow Paradise Park to offer additional amenities and services for its guests, as well as many cross promotional opportunities for each entity.

Currently, Paradise Park strongly appeals to all consumers that are not shy about investing in quality, but at the same time, they insist on value. The majority of our guests are extremely knowledgeable, selective, affluent and discerning, forming a market of New Luxury customers. Our guests have a desire to "trade up" for a quality entertainment experience that caters to a family-friendly environment.

Why does Paradise Park use the tagline "Family Fun & Adventure"?
Paradise Park's tagline is "Family Fun & Adventure". We strive to create a family-friendly environment and brand identity. The availability of multiple attractions for families on a single property drives repeat usage by our guests. This gives Paradise Park a unique brand identity and differentiates us from other single-anchor entertainment options.

Guests are reminded that Paradise Park is a family entertainment center that happens to feature a children's edutainment center as an anchor attraction. There are many families with people of all ages, including children, on our property at all times.

Violent and unruly behavior, including foul language, will not be tolerated. Children under the age of 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent or adult chaperone! Unattended children under the age of 16 will be asked to call a parent to pick them up. Paradise Park is an alcohol and tobacco free facility. These items are not allowed on Paradise Park property.

Guests that violate these policies will be ejected from the facility.

Is cleanliness important to Paradise Park?
Paradise Park places cleanliness as a top priority. We realize that keeping the facility clean is critical when parents, and particularly mothers, decide which places they will take their children. "Clean" typically ranks high in customer surveys along with "safe", and ranks higher than "entertainment", "customer service" or any other category. Paradise Park has developed extensive employee training and procedures to maintain the overall cleanliness of the facility, including the restrooms!

If a guest discovers an area that does not meet these standards, we encourage our guests to report this to a member of our team for immediate attention. We ask that all guests help keep Paradise Park beautiful and discard personal items in the nearest receptacle.

Are there any violent games in the game room?
One of the most popular attractions at Paradise Park is the game room that features a variety of redemption, novelty and video games. It is the policy of Paradise Park to ban all games that contain graphic violence, obscenity and/or sexual behavior. We believe that any games with violence, sexual themes or other content runs counter to the "family" environment. These games may be offensive to parents and do not belong at Kansas City's Premier Family Destination!

What is the Partners in Education Program?
Paradise Park is proud to be one of the district-wide sponsors for the Partners in Education Program in the Lee's Summit R-7 School District. The Lee's Summit Partners in Education program features schools and businesses working together to share resources and expand opportunities that enrich the community.

The Lee's Summit School District has more than kept up with the growth of the community. Three decades ago, Lee's Summit was still a small town with a population around 20,000. Today, it's soaring past 80,000. Student achievement is reaching new heights in Lee's Summit, and test scores are rising faster than the rest of the state.

Paradise Park is proud of its partnership with the local school district. The program is a critical component in attracting our community-based target market.

Did you know that all of the attractions at Paradise Park may easily be incorporated into curriculum for a variety of subjects and/or team building exercises? The children's edutainment center is of particular interest with area school districts and is heavily utilized during a variety of educational field trips.

May I bring in my own food and beverages to Paradise Park?
No, Paradise Park does not allow any outside food or beverages on its property for general admission guests. This information is clearly marked at the front entrance.

Due to the fact that Paradise Park operates its own café, we follow city, county and state health codes and ordinances for safety and to prevent cross contaminating food served at the Paradise Park Café.

Paradise Park offers affordable lunch specials for groups and field trips, as well as professional catering services for larger groups. The Paradise Park Café serves hot and cold subs and wraps, pizzas, salads, and cookies along with gourmet coffee and espresso drinks. The birthday and team party packages offered includes food and beverages within the packages, and no other outside food or beverages is allowed on the premises.

Does Paradise Park offer party packages?
Yes, Paradise Park offers spectacular party packages appropriate for children and youth of all ages. For proper planning, please book your party at least 2-3 weeks in advance.

Parties last approximately two (2) hours in length. The first hour is spent in the entertainment area of choice, and the first 45 minutes of the second hour is spent in a private party room. The remaining 15 minutes of the party is spent in the game room.

Hosted Parties include up to 10 guests, including the guest of honor, and 2 chaperones. Additional adults may attend but are not included in the pricing for food, attractions or tokens. Additional children participating in the party may be added to the party for an additional cost.

Hosted Parties include: a professionally trained party host; private party room; at least three (3) freshly baked Paradise Park Café pizzas (choice of cheese, pepperoni, sausage or hamburger); soft drinks and refills (choice of two from Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Lemonade, Root Beer, Mr. Pibb or Orange); one Paradise Park party cake (half chocolate and half white cake); vanilla ice cream with special toppings; tokens for the game room; and a choice from a variety of Paradise Park attractions.

The base price for a birthday party does not include gratuity for the party host. Sales tax is added to the final cost of each package.

To reserve a party, a $125 non-refundable deposit is required. Hosted Parties will not be reserved without a deposit. Book your party online at least two weeks in advance.

Each child must have socks and athletic shoes. Only Paradise Park pre-arranged and booked parties are allowed at Paradise Park. No walk-in parties that include gifts and/or food items are authorized. Guests will be asked to remove any unapproved items immediately from the Paradise Park premises.

May I do my own walk-in party?
Paradise Park loves to celebrate birthday parties. Paradise Park offers a very popular and spectacular selection of birthday party packages.

If you do not have time for one of our complete hosted packages, we recommend you play at Paradise Park and enjoy your cake and presents at home. Due to security and health code mandates, we do not allow outside food or beverage on property from general admission guests, nor can we allow gifts or decorations to be brought in for non-hosted parties.

Book your party online at least two weeks in advance.

May we bring balloons and/or a pinata to Paradise Park?
Paradise Park offers a balloon cluster and a pinata as an add-on option to any of our hosted birthday party packages. Should you wish to bring your own and have a scheduled hosted party reserved, certain policies apply.

Balloons and pinatas must be checked in immediately upon arrival with your party host. Paradise Park will transport them to and from the party room. Balloons are not allowed anywhere on the first floor of the property at any time.

If you wish to bring a pinata, be sure it is a PULL STRING pinata. Paradise Park does not allow any other type of pinata, including but not limited to one that requires beating with a stick that would compromise our anti-violence policy. If you have any questions, be sure to ask one of our party staff and specify the type of balloons and/or pinata you wish to supply for your party.

Please note: If you do NOT have a scheduled party reserved, ballons, pinatas, presents, food of any nature or other items planned for distribution to participants are not allowed at Paradise Park.

When do outdoor attractions close?
Outdoor attractions, including the children's garden in the edutainment center, go karts, miniature golf and batting cages, remain open during regular operating hours and weather permitting. The go kart track closes at least 30 minutes prior to close each night. The outside temperature must be above 50 degrees to operate the go karts. The batting cages and miniature golf course close when lightening is visible.

Do you have any height requirements or other restrictions for the attractions?
Safety is imperative, and Paradise Park enforces all manufacturer requirements for operational purposes. There are no exceptions.

Go kart drivers must be at least 58 inches tall. Individuals may ride in the passenger seat on the go karts if the passenger is at least 40 inches tall and the driver is at least 18 years old and 58 inches tall. Jr. go kart drivers must be between 48 and 58 inches tall. Drivers and passengers must wear shoes with closed toes. Sandals and bare feet are not permitted. Individuals wearing a cast or sling may not drive or ride the go karts.

Bumper car riders must be at least 44 inches tall and must not exceed the weight maximum of 275 pounds. The bumper cars seat only one person. Individuals wearing a cast or sling may not ride the bumper cars.

The rock climbing wall requires climbers to be a minimum weight of 35 pounds and a maximum of 275 pounds. Climbers must wear shoes with closed toes. Sandals and bare feet are not permitted when climbing the rock wall. Individuals wearing a cast or sling may not climb the rock wall.

Guests utilizing the batting cages must also wear shoes with closed toes. Sandals and bare feet are not permitted at the batting cages.

Do I have to wear shoes?
For the safety of our guests, we encourage all guests to wear closed toe shoes when visiting Paradise Park. Guests wearing sandals are not permitted to ride the go karts, climb the rock wall, or use the batting cages. Shoes are required to be worn inside the foam factory as well.

Does Paradise Park accept credit cards and checks?
Paradise Park accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit cards, as well as personal checks with proper identification.

Why do adults have to pay admission into the children's edutainment center?
There is a reduced adult admission fee for all adults entering the children's edutainment center. We encourage parents to interact and participate in the discovery play activities with their children.

The majority of similar facilities charge full price for adults and do not offer the reduced adult price that Paradise Park offers.

Remember, CEdC Family Adventure Pass members receive free child and adult admissions for a family of four to the children's edutainment center Sunday through Friday all year long.

Are reservations necessary for the cooking area in the children's edutainment center?
Reservations are not necessary to enter the children's edutainment center, or to attend any of the scheduled activities. However, if you are planning to bring a group of 20 or more children, we ask that you call ahead to make a group reservation. All children are invited to attend one cooking class and one performance per visit.

May I use more than one coupon?
Coupons are limited to one coupon, per attraction, per group of four people. Please read the restrictions on each individual coupon. Coupons may be redeemed for one attraction and do not work for the Flex Pass or the Deal of the Day, as these are already daily discounted promotions.

What is the Flex Pass?
A Flex Pass is available to all guests at the ticket counter and includes discounted admission to both the children's edutainment center and foam factory. Both of these attractions are offered for unlimited time. A child flex pass is available for $11.95 (plus tax), and an adult flex pass is $5 (plus tax).

What is the Deal of the Day?
All guests may purchase the Deal of the Day at the ticket counter. There are three different options available on the Deal of the Day. Guests receive a wristband that serves as a ticket, and each guest selects the number of attractions they have purchased at their discretion. The Deal of the Day pricing is as follows: any 3 attractions $15.95 (plus tax); any 4 attractions $19.95 (plus tax); and any 5 attractions $23.95 (plus tax).

The Deal of the Day is sold on a per person basis only. For example, two people may not split and share attractions on the same wristband.

Attractions that are available to choose from include: children's edutainment center; foam factory; bumper cars; rock climbing; miniature golf; and go karts. Guests may select any combination up to the limit purchased. For example, a person with the any 4 attractions Deal of the Day may ride the go karts four times as their four attractions. Only the foam factory and the children's edutainment center are available for an unlimited amount of time. Guests will have their wristband charged one attraction only on the first entry into the foam factory and children's edutainment center. The other four attractions count toward the limit purchased each time the guest participates.

The batting cages and game room are token operated and may not be selected as an attraction for the Deal of the Day.

Where may I place my personal belongings?
Upon entering Paradise Park, there is a coat rack and wall of lockers immediately to your left. There is a second set of lockers inside the children's edutainment center. Lockers cost 50 cents each time they are opened and closed. Paradise Park is not responsible for any personal belongings.

How many holes are on the miniature golf course?
The miniature golf course has 18 holes, and is beautifully landscaped with trees and water features. It is lit after dark.

Is Paradise Park handicap accessible?
Paradise Park is handicap accessible, according to ADA regulations. There is an elevator to the second floor of the building, as well as an elevator to the second level of the foam factory. Restrooms are wheelchair accessible, as are all children's activities in the edutainment center. The back nine holes of the miniature golf course is wheelchair accessible, and may be easily played twice in order to complete 18 holes.

How fast do the batting cages throw?
Paradise Park offers slow, medium and fast pitch baseball and softball batting cages. We do not adjust the speed on individual cages. Guests should change to a different speed cage as necessary.

The pitch speeds are set as follows: fast pitch baseball 70 mph; medium pitch baseball 50-55 mph; slow pitch baseball 35 mph; fast pitch softball 50-55 mph; medium pitch softball 35 mph; and slow pitch softball is high arching and set for adults.

Are the same tokens used for the game room and the batting cages?
No. Our game room and batting cages require different tokens. Tokens for the game room are 25 cents apiece, and batting cage tokens cost one dollar for a round of twenty pitches. Both types of tokens may be purchased for cash at free standing token machines or with a check or credit card from a cashier.

May I reserve batting cage time?
Batting cages may be reserved for one hour increments and begin at the top of the hour. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance on Monday-Thursday only. Reservations are not accepted Friday-Sunday.

A one-hour rental is $25 (plus tax). Please call (816) 246-5224 to reserve time in the batting cages.

How is Paradise Park involved in the local community?
Paradise Park is an integral part of the philanthropic efforts benefiting the community of Lee's Summit.

For example, Paradise Park is a Gold level sponsor for the Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce. Our CEO, president and general manager, Jon Ellis, is a past chair of the Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Our director of group sales, Geoff Hill, serves on the Chamber's board of directors.

In addition, Ellis and his wife, Juli, served as co-chairs of the Lee's Summit Educational Foundation capital campaign that raised private funds to build the Great Beginnings Early Education Center. The facility opened in 2005 and houses the Lee's Summit R-7 School District's Parents as Teachers Program for families with children from birth through age 3, and the Early Childhood Center for preschoolers with special needs or developmental delays.

Paradise Park also is a Grand Slam partner with the Lee's Summit Parks and Recreation Department. Through this partnership, Paradise Park sponsors several youth sports teams in a variety of leagues. Through a combined effort with Hy-Vee, Paradise Park sponsors the shaded structures for the bleachers adjacent to the baseball, softball and soccer fields at Legacy Park.

Each year, Paradise Park sponsors several teams that participate in the Lee's Summit Soccer Association, Lee's Summit Baseball Association, and the Lee's Summit Girls Softball Association.

Finally, Paradise Park plays host to several fundraising events for local schools and non-profit organizations. This includes the annual "Family Fun Days" event which raises funds for the Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce Visitor's Council.

What is Family Fun Days?
Family Fun Days is an annual community-wide event that raises funds for the Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce Visitor's Council. Beginning with the inaugural event in 2000, this event is usually held on a Friday and Saturday in late October at Paradise Park.

Tickets are sold for a discount in advance at Paradise Park and the Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce office beginning approximately one month prior to the event. During the event, tickets are sold at a higher price at Paradise Park.

How do I plan a group outing or special event?
Event planning at Paradise Park is easily accomplished in three simple steps. First pick the event area or areas (indoor and/or outdoor) that would best suit your event theme and size; next choose an exciting entertainment package or teambuilding activity; and finally, browse through the amazing array of buffet and catering selections available from our exclusive caterer, Lee's Summit West Hy-Vee..

Groups of any size may rent a room for a specified amount of time. Catering services are available exclusively through Paradise Park or its exclusive caterer, Lee's Summit West Hy-Vee. To schedule a group outing, call (816) 246-5224, ext. 105 or e-mail geoff.hill@paradise-park.com.

How many people do I need to receive group rates for entertainment only?
When planning a group outing that only involves one of the basic entertainment packages featuring multiple attractions, you will need at least 20 people to qualify for the group rates. Otherwise, the Deal of the Day, Flex Pass and general admission ticket prices apply.

To receive a group rate on entertainment, you must make a reservation in advance. Without a group reservation, group discounts will not apply to walk-ins even if there are more than 20 individuals in the group. We have several groups of all types and sizes visit Paradise Park, so we strongly encourage you to call well in advance to receive the date and timeframe of your choice. To schedule a group outing, call (816) 246-5224, ext. 105 or e-mail geoff.hill@paradise-park.com.