Dad Hikes: Henry Lay Sculpture Park

A sculpture garden tucked away in the Mississippi River hills is the setting for St. Louis University‘s Henry Lay Sculpture Park.

History Of Henry Lay Sculpture Park

James McElwee, a Revolutionary War here, once owned this property and his family is buried on the property in the McElwee-Stewart-Carr Cemetery.

Saint Louis University Alumnus Henry Anthony Lay purchased the property in May 1996.

The sculpture park was the culmination of Henry Lay’s dream of establishing a place where literature and art are combined with the beauty of nature to stimulate learning and imagination.

Our Time Here

Andrew walking between the Circle of Wolves. — Andrew walking between the *Wolves* by Wendy Klemperer.

Heading Toward’s Henry Lake

We entered this area near the Wolves sculpture. The wolves surround you on a high embankment.

“I think they look like dinosaurs,” Andrew, my son, said.

Next, we passed by a small pebble-filled brook that had water in places and added to the feel of a sculpture park in the country.

Then we came to the Sun and Moon sculpture in bronze done by Bing Cheng. One statue has his hand on his ear and another with his hand rose back, each gazing at each other from their separate pedestals.

Three Sisters on the island in the middle of the lake — *Three Sisters by* Bing Cheng on the island in the middle of the lake.

In the middle of the lake are the Three Sisters in bronze also done by Bing Cheng and are can be reached by a wooden bridge to the island.

The Three Sisters stand together on the island seeming to defend it.

“Can I run across the bridge,” Andrew asked.

Wooden bridge to walk across the Three Sisters. — Wooden bridge to walk across the *Three Sisters.*

It is an off-kilter wooden bridge giving it a feel of an ancient island.

Infinity symbol — *Natural Infinity* symbol by Brian Rust

Back of the Lake

After the island, you come by the Natural Infinity piece. It is the infinity sign done in two long circles in wood. You can walk up a wooden pedestal to gain a full view of it on the ground.

Sculpture pieces: Reclining Landscape with Satellite — Sculpture pieces: *Reclining Landscape with Satellite* by Eric Lindsey

In the back of this area is Lake Tranquility, which has a circular rock sculpture and two iron-red metal pieces. The sculptures together are called Reclining Landscape with Satellite. Trees surround the lake and it is a place to take nature in with the lake in front of you and trees lining the backshore.

Dogs and horses as part of the Westward Journey sculptures. — Dogs and horses as part of the *Westward Journey* sculptures.

Westward We Go

We headed back from this lake south to the main lake on the property that had statues in a cowboy theme.

Westward Journey is done in bronze and reminded me of an old Western movie my grandpa would have watched complete with a wagon pulled by horses, cattle, cowboys, and even two dogs barking at a foal.

Cowboy looking on at the wagon in the distance.

It was worth taking a moment to look at all the parts of the scene.

Walking across the dam with sculpture of men on horseback in the distance.

After this sculpture, we headed across the dam and took a shortcut back to the parking lot for water on a hot day and lunch.

Story Woods Children’s Sculpture Garden

After lunch, we headed into the children’s sculpture garden. At the Front there Emilie’s Big Book and the Emilie sculptures. The book relates to creating your own story of what you see in this garden.

Andrew on The Langlois Bridge — Andrew on *The Langlois Bridge* *Full Circle* by Ron Fondaw

We headed to The Langlois Bridge Full Circle. The bridge is a sculpture itself crossing over a creek. It is yellow with beams at the top that connect to the railing by metal chains. North of it is a waterfall is a path that includes stepping-stones.

*Mediations Over A Chair* by Edwin Dam and Veronica de Nogales

My favorite sculpture here is Meditations Over A Chair. A young child is reading while sitting on a chair held high by long poles.

The Wandering Brute sculpture is a bit odd in a children’s sculpture garden with a horse n a cart and a young man pulling it along.

Andrew’s favorites were a series of animal metal sculptures. An elk on a high rocky precipice and a skeletal bear hunting fish in the rocks were nearby.

There was also a metal turkey in a field with shiny feathers behind him along with a rusty red hawk flying out of the trees close by.

Our last adventure should have included the maze, but Andrew wasn’t into it so we headed back to our SUV. He gained a second wind after some water for some playtime.

Playground At Lay Sculpture Park

In front of the parking lot is a large playground. It includes slides, walkways, climbing structures, and a ground-level merry-go-round that Andrew could spin himself on.

Restrooms

The restrooms are up the hill where the retreat center is located. Look for small signs along the rooftops pointing the way.

NOTE: I didn’t list all the sculptures. We missed a few wandering around. Near the parking area is a sign with a map in a box below. Here you can find a listing of all the sculptures.

DETAILS

Drive: Take Either Interstate 64 or Interstate 70 west from St. Louis to Wentzville then take Highway 61 north. At about three miles north of Bowling Green, exit onto Highway UU east for five and a half miles. The Lay Center will be on the right.

Hours: 10 am – Dusk Thursday- Sunday, April- December. Closed January-March.

Admission: Free

Address: State Hwy UU, Louisiana, MO 63353

Here’s Another Sculpture Park Road Trip

The dramatic Death of the Last Centaur statue

Road Trip to Allerton Park Near Champaign

A centaur in the middle of the woods can be found at Allerton Park sculpture garden in Central Illinois and was one of the many treasures we found there.