Safe Blocks mural project at David Douglas

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The students brainstormed and sketched ideas for the design during two classroom sessions during National Youth Violence Prevention Week in late April and early May 2026. Then, Heidi transformed these ideas into a cohesive design for the 177' long stretch of sidewalk. Finally, students and Heidi painted the sidewalk together. The completed artwork features two Douglas fir trees with branches, wildlife and other natural features.

The students and Heidi received many compliments during the painting process for the beauty that the mural brings to the neighborhood. In all it took over a month to paint the mural, from late May to early July, due to unpredictable weather, such as rain and heat.

The mural is part of a specific investment in the Hazelwood neighborhood, designed to build community cohesion and support beautification. This work is funded by a federal Department of Justice Byrne grant that the Safe Blocks team is implementing in three neighborhoods: Eliot, Hazelwood, and Powellhurst-Gilbert. Stay tuned for more Byrne grant-funded public art coming your way throughout these three neighborhoods.

Heidi Schultz's work.

More information about the Byrne grant.

Other projects funded by the Byrne grant.

For more information about the sidewalk mural, contact [email protected].

For more information about the Byrne grant, contact [email protected].