Cops and creative students have pulled out their paint brushes to spruce up a south Edmonton footbridge.
The Mill Woods Park footbridge was like a “blank canvas” for graffiti, said Edmonton police Const. Francis Capinding.
The beat officer, along with Const. Jon Compton, would regularly patrol the area and noticed the small bridge was a magnet for vandals armed with spray paint.
“Every time graffiti on the footbridge was cleaned up, the area was left with a plain wall.”
To tackle the ongoing graffiti, the constables contacted Capital City Clean Up and enlisted area students at Holy Trinity Catholic High School.
Eight hundred hours later — a colourful bee hive pattern adorns the side of the bridge.
Fine arts teacher Patricia Milan said the high school students came up with the design for the mural.
“The students have made a significant difference in the community; one hexagon at a time,” said Milan.
“The students also learned to, ‘be the bee’, and not worry about what others think is impossible.”
She said the array of colours used in the mural represents diversity.
The students had a tight time frame of four weeks to complete the project; learning commitment and solidarity.
“This mural has revived the energy in the park that is used by many community members,” said Const. Capinding.