The Keeper of the Plains, Kansas, United States
4.5 (857 reviews) Spent Ranking #3 in Wichita Points of Interest & Landmarks
Be here at sunset for lighting of caldrons
The Keeper of the Plains stands at the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas rivers with hands raised in supplication to the Great Spirit. Renowned Kiowa-Comanche artist Blackbear Bosin donated the Keeper of the Plains to the citizens of Wichita on May 18, 1974.Since the sculpture's installation to commemorate the United States Bicentennial, it has become a symbol for the city of Wichita and a tribute to the local American Indian tribes. in 1974. A complete renovation of the sculpture and installation of the Keeper of the Plains Plaza now brings people out each evening to see the Keeper and the "Ring of Fire." The 44-foot Cor-Ten steel Keeper of the Plains statue is now 30 feet higher than before with its new pedestal,surrounded by a plaza which describes the Plains Indian way of life. The Keeper also serves as the focal point of an eight-year, $20 million restoration and river beautification project completed in May 2007. Pedestrians can access the area via two bow-and-arrow-inspired cable-stay bridges which span the Little and Big Arkansas rivers. Fire drums on boulders at the foot of the Keeper dramatically light the night. Plantings of sage, bottlebrush, medicinal herbs, prairie grasses, yuccas and cactus add to the sense of place and time. The area is free and open to the public year-round.
Address
650 N Seneca St, Wichita, KS 67203-3204
Mobile
Website
http://www.wichita.gov/Government/Departments/Arts/Pages/Keeper-of-the-Plains.aspx
Current local date and time now
Sunday, May 12, 2024, 1:56
User Ratings
4.5 based on (857 reviews)
Reviews
-
5Adam Kaiden 5:00 PM Sep 22, 2022
Nice place
A site that you cannot miss while in Wichita. If you come in the evening, the torch surrounding the statue would light up for 15 minutes from 7pm. There is a small free parking lot near the bridge through where you can access the statue.
-
4LovesPhotoOps 5:00 PM May 22, 2022
Relaxing place
Riverside Park is a very nice park and the statue and bridge over the Arkansas River are interesting to look at. We watched birds fishing in the river. There are some exhibits about Plains Indians near the statue. We parked near the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit (recommend you see it) and restrooms and walked a short distance from there on the sidewalk to cross the river to the section of the park where the statue is. We felt completely safe the whole time.
