By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

As you make your way around Great Bend, it is hard to miss the large
birdhouses that are scattered about. 

Placing birdhouses anywhere from three
feet to five feet tall in front of businesses was a tourism idea organized by former
Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau
President Cris Collier in 2011. Collier noted the purpose of the birdhouse
theme was to create a link between Great Bend and the Wetlands and Wildlife
National Scenic Byway and to promote a walking art tour. 

Current CVB Director
Christina Hayes says the city wants to revitalize the project. 
"This is another way to provide a hands-off tour for Great Bend," said Hayes. "It is a piece the state really likes for Great Bend to have." 
Hayes says a “brighten the birdhouses” project will be starting to spruce up
the structures with new paint, designs and artists. Hayes is notifying all
business owners with a birdhouse outside their buildings of the project.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

"It is like the cow statues in Chicago or the gorillas in Pittsburg," Hayes said. "We have the birdhouses."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595531040269.jpeg" alt="The birdhouse art throughout Great Bend is set to be revitalized with new designs and paint from different artists.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The birdhouse art throughout Great Bend is set to be revitalized with new designs and paint from different artists.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostAs you make your way around Great Bend, it is hard to miss the large
birdhouses that are scattered about. Placing birdhouses anywhere from three
feet to five feet tall in front of businesses was a tourism idea organized by former
Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau
President Cris Collier in 2011. Collier noted the purpose of the birdhouse
theme was to create a link between Great Bend and the Wetlands and Wildlife
National Scenic Byway and to promote a walking art tour. Current CVB Director
Christina Hayes says the city wants to revitalize the project. 
"This is another way to provide a hands-off tour for Great Bend," said Hayes. "It is a piece the state really likes for Great Bend to have." 
Hayes says a “brighten the birdhouses” project will be starting to spruce up
the structures with new paint, designs and artists. Hayes is notifying all
business owners with a birdhouse outside their buildings of the project.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;"It is like the cow statues in Chicago or the gorillas in Pittsburg," Hayes said. "We have the birdhouses."

Great Bend to revitalize birdhouse art around town