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Wichita Downtown Walking Tours
Contributed by Jim Mason. Walking tours throughout the conference locale in Wichita.
- The Arkansas River Hike/Bike path passes right next to the conference site, providing an inviting way to stretch your legs. The path extends north and south along either side of the river for about 14 miles.
- Just a few blocks north on the Arkansas River Hike/Bike path is the iconic Keeper of the Plains statue. Created by Wichita's own Blackbear Bosin, this sculpture was the focal point of a recent downtown renovation project. The Keeper is accessible from either bank of the river by an elegant pedestrian bridge. At its base, numerous interpretive panels tell the story of the Native Americans who lived in this area, and fire pots in the river below illuminate the scene every evening at 7 PM, weather permitting. It's well worth the walk!
- Have you seen the many different bronze sculptures along Douglas Avenue? Begin at Main Street and walk east. Look carefully! Some are hard to find - like the lizards. Some are fun – like the cows and ducklings. And one is historical – commemorating one of the first drugstore sit-ins during the Civil Rights era, which occurred at the Woolworth's store that formerly occupied the spot. Pick up a guide brochure at the Registration Desk and see if you can find them all!