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Council approves Kiwanis mural at Williams Recreation Park after design changes; vote 6–1 on condition
Summary
Emmaus Borough Council approved an Arts Commission proposal to paint a Kiwanis mural on the Williams Recreation Park building, conditioning one panel’s design and authorizing the commission to finalize details. The motion passed 6–1; one council member objected to the stated condition.
Emmaus Borough Council voted May 19 to approve a Kiwanis mural at Williams Recreation Park, with the Arts Commission asked to make a specified change to one face of the building before work proceeds.
Hattie Fry of the Arts Commission presented a design concept the commission discussed with Parks and Recreation: child‑oriented silhouettes and simple graphics to brighten the building near the playground. Fry said the Kiwanis group offered to help fund and provide volunteers for painting; she said the group would cover materials if power‑washing and priming remove existing paint.
Council members discussed feedback from Parks and Recreation and the Arts Commission about one design element — a rainbow — and agreed to replace it on that one panel with a more community‑neutral treatment using greens, blues and small star motifs similar to the Kiwanis newsletter. "We can adjust rainbow and design to include more greens and blues and stars from the newsletter design," a council member summarized during discussion.
Mister Ladenburg moved to approve the design with that condition; the motion was seconded by Mister Brown. After a voice vote and further brief discussion, the clerk announced the tally as "6 to 1." One council member said her objection concerned the condition, not the mural itself.
Council and staff discussed logistics: Arts Commission and borough public works will determine whether the building requires power washing and a base coat, and public works staff said the work would likely occur in June or July depending on preparation needs. The Kiwanis group will coordinate volunteers; borough staff will confirm timeline and paint preparation needs before work begins.
The council did not adopt any new ordinance or spend borough funds during the vote; the decision authorized the Arts Commission to finalize the amended design and coordinate implementation with staff and the Kiwanis group.
