By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Be on the lookout for "Bison on the Loose" in Hays next spring.
It's a public art project of the Heartland Community Foundation Youth Action Council to highlight the history and heritage of Ellis County.
At least 25 life-size fiberglass bison sculptures will be placed on city and private properties in Hays, Ellis and Victoria.
"They'll be painted by local and student artists in colorful ways," said Savannah Clingan. "Our goal is to attract tourists and residents to places of interest."
Clingan, Mariella Dreiling and Oaklye Wichers, Hays High School seniors, appeared before the Hays City Commission on Thursday seeking permission to install the statues in some public spaces. The city of Ellis has already given its approval.
First-priority locations requested by project donors include Municipal Park, Frontier Park, Sunrise Park, Hays Regional Airport, Downtown Pavilion and the Hays Public Library.
Each statue will cost $5,000, which will include its placement. The students have raised $120,000 towards their goal of $125,000 from private donations and grants.
"It generates family-friendly experiences," Wichers said.
The students are working on an interactive app that would encourage users to visit and take pictures with each bison as a kind of scavenger hunt.
Wichers said bison were chosen by the students because in 2026 "we will celebrate 110 years since James “Scotty” Philips brought Hays’ first bison herd in 1916. This honors the city's historic herd and the frontier heritage."
Other themes expected to be represented include Volga Germans, the railroad, Wild West frontier, Big Creek, Fort Hays State University, native tribes, Oktoberfest, historic Fort Hays, oil and agriculture industries, fossils, sunflowers, HaysMed, veterans, downtown Hays, roundabouts, water, and bike trails.
All designs will go through a submission and jury process before approval. No offensive imagery, words or business logos will be allowed.
The painting process, under the direction of Amy Schmierbach, FHSU art professor, will be done at the Microfactory.
"The project really encourages collaboration between teens, local artists, Hays, TMP-Marian, Ellis and Victoria high schools, and businesses so we can all celebrate our shared heritage and culture," Dreiling said, "making it a more fun and inviting place to be in."
Expected lifespan of the statues is 15 to 20 years.
ARC Park Phase 3
The commission also granted permission to the Arc of Central Plains to proceed with construction of Phase 3 of the ARC Park, 3300 Hillcrest.
Sarah Meitner, board president of Arc of Central Plains, presented the plan, which includes two shelter houses, a gazebo-type picnic pavilion and a nearby flower garden, along with two permanent cornhole courts with 10 total lanes and shaded dugouts.
The Arc of Central Plains has raised $500,000 for the construction, which will be put out to bid to local contractors. Parks Director Jeff Boyle will oversee the project.
"We want to go with the most maintenance-free we can," Boyle said.