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Lawrence commission backs turtle-themed street mural at community nursery school
Summary
The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission unanimously recommended the city commission approve a street mural proposed by Lawrence Community Nursery School, citing community workshops, a traffic-calming message and a maintenance plan; a right-of-way permit and MSO review were noted as next steps.
The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission recommended the City Commission approve a turtle-themed street mural proposed by the Lawrence Community Nursery School after hearing from neighbors and project organizers on June 14.
Commission Chair Daniel Smith said the commission had reviewed the proposal and supporting visuals and that the mural grew from workshops with the school’s students and neighbors. The design centers on a large turtle with community-made drawings embedded in the shell, organizers said, and aims in part to reinforce a “slow down” traffic message near the school.
Dave, a neighbor who approached the school about the project, told commissioners the idea was to place “a very large turtle in a pool there” and to include the children’s drawings around the shell. An unidentified LCNS parent and board member said the project included several workshops, a community meal and built-in workdays so neighbors would maintain the mural.
Smith said staff checked with the city’s historic resources office, which “have no issue with this” because the asphalt is not considered historic. He also noted the commission’s approval is a recommendation to the City Commission and that organizers must obtain a right-of-way permit through MSO before painting. Smith cautioned that the street is not scheduled for repaving in the near term, estimating “at least 5 years” before a city resurfacing would likely remove the mural.
Organizers said they plan to use traffic-marking paint and will consult technical guidance from an asphalt-murals initiative funded by the Bloomberg Foundation to select appropriate products. They also said the neighborhood intends to refresh the mural every two to three years as needed and to hold community painting events when maintenance is required.
The commission voted to forward its recommendation to the City Commission. The motion, to recommend approval of the Lawrence Community Nursery School street mural and forward that recommendation to the City Commission, was moved by Kelly, seconded by Alicia and recorded as approved by Marlo, Alicia, Kelly and Chair Daniel Smith.
Next steps identified at the meeting include staff coordination with LCNS on the right-of-way permit and MSO review, technical consultation on materials, and planning for community workdays to maintain the mural.
