Maxwell Park Beautification Project

One year and three months after they first met to talk about a way to resuscitate Maxwell Park, Friends of Maxwell Park--moms, dads, singles, kids and grandparents--gathered to install mosaic tiles on the first of four restroom exterior walls.   On the weekend of June 13-14, they transformed an ugly and often graffiti-covered restroom wall into a work of beauty, and an inspiration to the community. 

 

The Mosaic Team, a group of mosaic artists and supporters from Maxwell Park and nearby neighborhoods, formed as part of a larger park improvement project, solicited designs from the community and nearby schools, and came up with the design for the first mosaic.  The team gathered supplies, smashed tiles, prepared the wall, and then chalked in the outlines of the design in preparation for the big weekend event.  Tables were set up so that children could draw flowers and insects, and then fill them in from trays of tiles on the tables in front of them.  Adults placed special sticky paper over the children's work, so it could be transferred to the wall.  An adult would apply mortar to in an appropriate spot, and the child would help press the tiles in place. 

 

As the Mosaic Team worked in later weeks to do the grouting and cleaning of the tiles, community members would come by to gaze at the mosaic.  The children who had worked on the mosaic would race to show people their tiles, and the others would eagerly try to identify all the elements of the mosaic.  When more people would come, the first children would act as "tour guides" on the wall, proudly showing off their knowledge.  A celebration of this first mosaic mural was held on July 11^th.  With three more walls yet to be tiled opportunities for participation abound.

 

Progress is also being made on the larger park improvement project.  The project's conceptual design, which the Leadership Team and Design Team worked with a landscape architect to develop, is about to be completed.  Grant applications are on-going.  The next mosaic mural is scheduled for spring, 2010.

 

The mosaic can be viewed at Maxwell Park, which is located about two blocks southeast of High St. on Fleming Ave.  The mosaic mural will be featured at the neighborhood Day in the Park on Sept. 12, 2009 from noon till 5:00 PM.