Neighbors come together and pitch in to make their streets brighter – and safer
Two weeks ago, we partnered with the Denver Community Active Living Coalition (CALC) team to complete a third community street art project, gathering neighbors and volunteers to paint a colorful intersection mural outside of Valverde Elementary in the Athmar Park neighborhood. Intersection murals can help beautify a space and also help remind drivers to be extra cautious and aware of people walking and biking through the intersection. Athmar Park was one of three neighborhoods to win $1000 for a walkability project in their community after collecting the most data about sidewalks and intersections as part of the WALKscope Data Challenge. In addition to Athmar Park, the neighborhoods of Barnum and Sunnyside were also winners of the challenge. All three decided on street art projects that would encourage walking and biking within their neighborhoods.
The first of these projects was installed in the west side neighborhood of Barnum. Community members chose to install a fun, circus-themed wayfinding project to help people find their way along the Weir Gulch Trail. Next up was the northwest neighborhood of Sunnyside, where a giant intersection mural of Frankie the Falcon, the Trevista Elementary School mascot, was painted at the intersection of 41st and Navajo so that he could greet students as they walk and bike to school. (Check out the awesome drone footage of the final product!) We were even joined that morning by Mayor Hancock and Councilman Espinoza, as well as several Trevista students, families, teachers, and staff.
In Athmar Park, community members also chose to install an intersection mural outside of an elementary school. The design featured elements that celebrate the neighborhood’s history as a celery farm, it’s beautiful parks and lakes, and the rich cultural diversity that can be found in the area and at Valverde Elementary. The newly-formed Athmar Park Active Living Coalition was there to collect information about where residents like to walk and bike in the neighborhood. They also hosted a Bike Maintenance Fiesta and brought in VeloFix to offer free bike tune-ups to local residents.
