Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Mural topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission declines to recommend Wills Park "Wacky World" community mural
Summary
The commission declined to recommend a proposed community-painted mural for a retaining wall at Wills Park’s new Wacky World playground after commissioners raised concerns about site context, imagery and timing; the project budget and wall dimensions were discussed during the presentation.
The Cultural Arts Commission voted not to recommend a community-painted mural proposed for a retaining wall at Wills Park adjacent to the new Wacky World playground.
Staff and artist Alice Stone Collins presented the concept: a community-painted design emphasizing nature, playfulness and accessible fill-in sections for volunteer painters. Collins described a process in which she would lay out strong outlines and community volunteers would fill in areas; she said most of the work could be done in a day with additional touch-up layers to ensure longevity.
Staff said the retaining wall is roughly 70 feet long and the tallest portions are about 4.5 feet high. The project’s operating-budget request was described as about $4,500, which staff said would cover paint, supplies and staffing to support volunteer participation.
Commissioners focused discussion on three practical items: the mural’s visual relationship to the playground and surrounding landscape, whether available visuals and site context (photos/overlays) adequately demonstrated how the wall will appear from pedestrian viewpoints, and the timing relative to the grand opening of the playground. Several commissioners said they were sympathetic to the community-mural approach but wanted more clear imagery or alternate designs that better reflected the whimsical character of the new play area.
One commissioner proposed deferring the item; others expressed concern that a deferral this month would not fit the project timeline and that denying the recommendation but asking applicants to return with additional options might be clearer. After debate the commission voted to deny recommendation for the Wacky World mural; staff said denial would put the request back to the applicant to bring revised options for future consideration.
The record shows the project would need city-council steps if it were to proceed on city-owned property and that the artist and staff may adapt the timing and design if the commission requests additional options.
