A community based art project developed by Felice Salmon, Illuminated Sidewalks dealt with the possibility of encouraging and creating space for play through color and simple artistic embellishments.
I had the chance to lead a coalition of Northeast Lexington residents as we worked with Tweens Nutrition and Fitness coalition to design and implement enhancements in Duncan Park to encourage play and wellness. Together, we hosted a Paint & Play Potluck in Duncan Park to collaboratively install a large path of play markings.
We illuminated the concrete pathways surrounding the play structures as those pathways provided a blank surface on which playground markings could be installed. With the help of Parks & Recreation, sidewalks were repaired and an additional semi-circle of concrete pad was created. Then, neighbors gathered to utilize stencils and painting materials to install hopscotch, four-square, and other play templates from the Peaceful Playgrounds program.
After creating this portal for play, I spent the rest of the summer facilitating play activities with volunteers, sports equipment, water balloons, ribbon dancers, hoola hoops, and chalk. Unlike traditional playground equipment, these markings were a minor investment and a first step toward creating more lively playspaces in Duncan Park. Â The hope is that this is just the first small step toward a large-scale renovation inspired by this creative enhancement of the space.
Funded by LFUCG and in collaboration with Tweens Nutrition & Fitness Coalition, Heather Hyden & Kris Nonn of NoLi CDC, Justin Balcor, Councilmembers James Brown & Steve Kay, & Michael Johnson from Parks & Recreation. Photographs by Karissa Porter.
Felice Salmon 