EPS Mill Woods Beat Officers, Const. Francis Capinding and Const. Jon Compton, patrol the area on a regular basis. The officers noticed the Mill Woods Park footbridge was continuously vandalized with graffiti.
“Every time graffiti on the footbridge was cleaned up, the area was left with a plain wall,” says Const. Capinding. “This wall was like a blank canvas and more graffiti vandalism kept appearing.”
This year, the constables came up with a creative idea and contacted Capital City Clean Up for a grant to help curb the vandalism. The Beat officers created a community project and enlisted Holy Trinity Catholic High School to help support this initiative.
Championed by fine arts teacher, Patricia Milan, a group of students came together to design a unique mural with great significance.
“I wanted the students to see the importance of giving back to the community,” says Patricia Milan, fine arts teacher at Holy Trinity Catholic High School. “The students also learned to, “be the bee” and not worry about what others think is impossible.”
The design of the bee hive represents diversity by the rainbow of colours used in the mural. Commitment and solidarity is reflected by the hundreds of hours the students dedicated to this initiative. The students also learned about tenacity by completing the project in a tight 4-week timeframe.
“The students have made a significant difference in the community; one hexagon at a time,” adds Milian.
Approximately 800 hours were dedicated to this Capital City Clean Up project.
“This mural has revived the energy in the park that is used by many community members,” says Const. Capinding. “We’re pleased the mural is ready for Canada’s 150th celebrations this weekend.”
Capital City Clean Up proudly supports community murals as an essential part to reduce graffiti vandalism. Help keep Edmonton beautiful and check out Capital City Clean Up.
Progress of the Mill Woods Park footbridge:
