Organizers of the College Park Climate Action Neighborhood will host a free, open-to-the-public art and science celebration Saturday as they showcase the creation of two sidewalk storm drain murals during a watershed education event.
The free event will also feature a ritual block cleanup hosted by Artivist Corp, a talk on stormwater management by a former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency official, an outdoor magazine, and an interactive sculpture created by to draw attention to the issue of plastic waste.
Two seniors from the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design will build the murals. Charlie Boyce specializes in using recycled and found materials in mixed media art, and Krista Canoles spreads environmental awareness through whimsical pieces that honor nature.
“My design highlights the native plants and animals that are essential to the Conestoga River ecosystem—an ecosystem that is greatly threatened by city runoff and water pollution. I hope that by providing a visual on a live water source, eg. a storm drain, I can provide environmental education and a reminder to the public about proper care to keep our waterways clean,” Canoles said in an email.
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With one mural in front of North Museum and another in front of West Arts, organizers said they hope to transform the corner of Buchanan and College streets into an outdoor learning space connected to nearby Buchanan Park.
Two Love Your Block grants from the City of Lancaster Office of Neighborhood Engagement provided $1,500 to fund Saturday’s event through the River Connections program.
“Art has always been and always will be an educational tool that breaks down barriers — a universal language,” Canoles said. “The River Connections program does something really special by using art, poetry, film and music to spread environmental awareness. Their intent to use environmental awareness and art to create a stronger sense of community aligns directly with my artistic goals, which is why I am so honored and privileged to be a part of this project.”
The River Connections public art program began in 2022 and has supported various river-themed art projects in the city of Lancaster. The city’s website describes the purpose of the program as “uplifting the stories of black and brown people’s connection to the Conestoga River.”
Building an outdoor classroom
The ultimate goal for College Park CAN is to create an outdoor community classroom with signage and a seating area next to the park’s Lancaster Compost Co-Op. The signage will connect five nearby educational spaces: storm drain sidewalk murals, a rain garden, a native plant garden, an arboretum and the composting cooperative.
“We’re trying to capture all the elements that are almost all there already, but connect them through signage and an online map online with digital information,” College Park CAN organizer Melissa Snavely said.
College Park CAN, which operates under the umbrella of local nonprofit RegenAll, applied for a grant from Lancaster Clean Water Partners to create and install bilingual signage, build the seating area and develop online resources.
“We’re waiting to see how our grant application is received and hope for some good news there,” Snavely said, adding that she envisions the outdoor learning space as a resource for nearby students and interested community members. for conservation.
Lancaster Clean Water Partners grants will be announced in September. College Park CAN aims to complete the outdoor learning space next spring in order to present it during Water Week.
“Our goal is to ignite curiosity through art and science and in turn spark individual and community action to protect our planet,” Snavely said.
