Emmaus council backs Street to Creek storm‑drain murals, pool concession mural and arts appointments

The Emmaus Borough Council on April 6 approved multiple arts and parks items brought by the Arts Commission, including a pilot 'Street to Creek' storm‑drain mural program, a concession‑stand mural for the municipal pool, and a short street closure request for a larger bus‑paint mural project.

Taylor Royack, secretary of the Emmaus Arts Commission, presented the Street to Creek concept: "Street to Creek is a community art project that combines art and environmentalism to decorate storm drains within the borough," Royack said, describing a submission‑based selection process and estimating modest start‑up costs (roughly $400 per site) and a multi‑year rollout targeting three high‑traffic drains in year one.

Council appointed Jackie Purcell to the Arts Commission (term expiring Feb. 7, 2028) and approved the pool concession mural design and schedule; Arts Commission members also notified council of a requested street closure on North Short Street for a separate mural project May 17–20 and reported finalized structural specifications for a long‑planned sculpture garden intended for dedication to Richard Farmer.

Council approved each arts item by voice vote. Staff and commissioners said items support public education (noted in the borough’s MS4 stormwater program), community engagement, and planned grant coordination for trail connectivity and park improvements.

Next steps include coordination between Arts Commission volunteers, borough staff for street‑closure logistics and liability review (including any PennDOT involvement if roads are state‑maintained), and usual permitting for public‑space work.