Bayliss Park

The Parks and Recreation office is open between 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday.

Bayliss Park Rental Fee's:

• Park (Non-Preformance Area) with or without electricity $50.00 /two hours

• Preformance Area $100.00 /two hours

• Preformance Area with sound system $150.00 /two hours (an additional $100.00 refundable deposit is required for microphone, stand and key, which can be picked up prior to the event and are refunded once items are returned)

Bayliss Park Rental Agrement

Application for Special Events

Arial view of Bayliss Park

Bayliss Park in the early afternoon

Bayliss Park at dusk

Bayliss Park at night

Bayliss Park at night

Photo Gallary

To see more pictures of Bayliss Park visit our photo gallary.

Bayliss Park Improvement Project

The Fountain

The water features patterns, and lighting is impressive. We maintain the 8 arching nozzles, the interior ring of 24 jets, and replace the single central fountain spire with a sculpture with water shooting out the top. The sculpture, titled Well Spring, was created by Brower Hatcher from Providence, RI. The upper pool is a shallow half foot deep and the lower pool is replaced with a slope of rough granite insets that have water cascading over the surface to a drain. The pool edge is a granite seat wall, 18" high and is articulated with short columns or plinths.

The Plaza

The Plaza around the fountain is the same size as the previous plaza and has been used to provide different functions along each side. Granite pavers that are darker in color, to reduce the visual glare, are incorporated around the fountain. The flower beds are two sided so that the floral displays can be seen from both inside the park and as you drive by. The plaza is closely connected to the surrounding green space with now 16 openings from the fountain court to the rest of the park. Benches, created by Brower Hatcher are incorporated into all of the perimeter areas.

The Performance Space

A permanent raised stage is incorporated into the west side of the plaza. This allows the audience to be seated with their backs to the setting sun, under the shade of the large Oak and Hackberry trees. The stage is framed with a light and airy canopy and the fountain will be the backdrop to the performance. This canopy, titled Oculus, was also created by Brower Hatcher. A labyrinth of pavers 30" wide delineates a seating arrangement for people to line up their chairs. This playful pavement may also entice children to play follow the leader along the path, when events are not taking place. The human scale of the stage and canopy will also serve as a photo opportunity for weddings and other special events.

Interactive Water

A small interactive water component is incorporated into the north side of the plaza. This is a small 12' diameter area of child activated sprays that emanate from the plaza floor. The water patterns of the sprays duplicate the forms of the large center fountain. Here we would use potable water that drains to waste, since the water volume is very low and the propensity for children to drink from these sprays is relatively high. This feature can be programmed to work only during specific times and will allow children of all ages to touch and feel the water in a safe space.

Touchable Art

Along the east side of the plaza we have installed a piece of art that is child scaled and touchable. These six black squirrels were created by Brower Hatcher as well.

Engaging the Monuments:

The east side engages Veterans Plaza. By providing an enlarged planting area behind the wall, removing the transformer, and adding a walkway with a smaller commemorative piece, we allow for better access between the Veterans Plaza and the Fountain Plaza. The three monuments along the north side of the park have been landscaped with a crescent shaped walk along the south side of the monuments. This provides a more solid sense of place for these pieces.

Entrance Elements, Perimeter elements, and walks

At each of the four formal entrances to the park, we have incorporated a low wall articulated by columns similar to the fountain seat wall and engrave the name Bayliss Park into the glass. The columns include a light feature. The landscaping and bench placement along the entry walks pick up the curves of the new fountain and Veterans Plaza with a winding band of pavers encompassing the new landscaping.

Site furniture and lights

The light fixtures and benches within the park proper are repainted a more neutral color. This places the visual impact back to the fountain rather than the fixtures. Cafe tables are included within the Fountain Plaza. Heavy duty picnic tables of metal construction are placed within the green space of the park.

Iowa Smokefree Air Act--smoking is prohibited during any and all events taking place in the park.