By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Bison may be on the loose in Hays starting next spring.
These would not be escapees from the bison pen in Frontier Park but 25 life-size fiberglass statues painted to depict the history and culture of Ellis County.
"Bison on the Loose" is a public art project of the Heartland Community Foundation's Youth Action Council Ellis County representatives from each of the four high schools.
Three Hays High seniors explained the project to Hays city commissioners Thursday along with Sarah Meitner, Heartland Community Foundation executive director, and asked for permission to place the pieces on a number of city properties.
The bison are intended for high-visibility locations that draw attention and encourage visitors and locals to explore nearby businesses and attractions. Maps, walking tours, and interactive social media campaigns would generate foot traffic and economic activity.
Although the students first thought about tigers and Fort Hays State University, they ultimately decided on the bison.
"In 2026, we will celebrate 110 years since James “Scotty” Philips brought Hays’ first bison herd in 1916," said Oaklye Wichers. "This honors the city's
historic herd and the frontier heritage."
The Youth Action Council is made up of students from Hays, TMP-Marian, Ellis and Victoria high schools.
"We thought about this for a long time just trying to devise a project that benefits all of Ellis County," said Mariella Dreiling.
The bison cost $5,000 each and the council has already raised $120,000 of its $125,000 goal.
"The money has come from Hays businesses, community members and individuals," said Savannah Clingan.
Production cost of each bison includes manufacturing, shipping, concrete base, mounting and moving, paint supplies, artists' time for planning and painting, automotive-grade topcoat, and $400 set back for a second topcoat in 7-10 years.
Painting would be done by local and Fort Hays State University student artists after the theme is vetted by the council. No business logos will be allowed on the statues.
Professional installation would be done in a partnership with Hess Services of Hays.
Expected lifespan of the statues is 15-20 years.
Ellis city leaders have already said yes to allowing three bison on public property. The plan is to place two statues in Victoria, and the remaining 20 in Hays.
The requested Hays public locations include
Municipal Park
Frontier Park by the multi-use path
Sunrise Park
Hays Regional Airport
Downtown Pavilion
Hays Public Library
Hays Welcome Center
ARC Park
Frontier Park near the bison herd
Hays City Hall
Hays Aquatic Park
Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex
Veterans Park
Howard G. Reynolds Nature Trail near Sternberg Museum of Natural
History
Aubel-Bickle Park
City commissioners were supportive of the idea and will move the request on to next week's meeting.
"I was so impressed with this," said Shaun Musil, commissioner, "and that youth has done it all."
Commissioner Reese Barrick, executive director of the Sternberg Museum, joked that his support was swayed in favor when the students correctly identified the statues as bison and not buffalo. "I'm now all in," he laughed.
ARC Park Phase 3
The other agenda item for yesterday's work session was a request from Arc of Central Plains to proceed with Phase 3 of the ARC Park, 3300 Hillcrest. It was presented by Meitner, who is also president of the board for Arc of Central Plains.
The improvements would include two new shelter houses, a second gazebo-type picnic pavilion and nearby flower garden, along with two permanent cornhole courts with 10 total lanes and shaded dugouts.
Cornhole, a favorite sport of many people of all ages, is a new Special Olympics Kansas sport with regional and state play.
"[This is] a scaled back version of what we've previously come to you with," said Meitner, "but doable. We have the funds and are ready to move.. ... We can do this for less than half a million dollars."
Everything is designed to need minimal maintenance, she said.
In 2023, the Phase 3 plan included a $500,000 piece of play equipment. The total cost was about $1.67 million. The city commission at the time worried about long-term maintenance costs to the city.
If the commission approves moving forward with Phase 3, Parks Director Jeff Boyle would monitor the construction phase which will be bid out.
During commissioner comments at the end of the meeting, Musil asked for an upcoming work session to include discussion of the future design and maintenance of city parks. That discussion is also scheduled for the commissioners' retreat next spring.