You would be surprised at the amount of benefits street murals hold. Murals have a way of bringing people together, encouraging creativity, providing opportunities to work together, inspiring new walking routes and increasing the safety in the surrounding area – especially if that area is a school zone. Richmond School Parent Council saw all these benefits and on Friday, June 8, 2018 they hosted the Painting our World mural project. Organizers hope the mural will encourage parents to walk to school with their children and remind drivers to slow down in the school zone.

Painting our World attracted over 200 participants, and the organizers where happy to see the smiles on the children’s faces. Even those who were just passing by had wonderful things to say about the mural. Street murals require a road closure permit, and the art design needs The City’s approval before it can be painted. The $1,200 ActivateYYC grant went towards the permits, artwork and supplies.