Post City Column: Making art in Mt. Pleasant

By Jaye Robinson
Post City Magazine
January 2013

I am happy to announce that a new and innovative pilot project is underway in Ward 25! Many residents have written or spoken to me about the unsightly graffiti spread across the Mt. Pleasant Road overpass’ support columns.

The overpass stretches across Alexander Muir Park, a popular dog walking spot, and the graffiti really takes away from the natural, ravine-like setting.

A resident of the ward recently approached city staff with a creative idea to help combat the graffiti, and I am very happy to inform residents that we have adopted the idea and the pilot project is now underway!

The graffiti has been removed and a local artist painted large picture frames in its place. Our goal now is not only to keep the graffiti contained to the area within the picture frames, but to encourage other local artists to contribute meaningful, artistic work — the kind of works that add vibrancy to our streets and public squares.

If the pilot is successful and graffiti-related vandalism can be reduced, the city will also save money by reducing cleanup costs.

City staff will be monitoring the project to ensure any and all work is community appropriate. Should the project be deemed unsuccessful for whatever reason, we will remove the frames.

If you happen to be in Alexander Muir Park in the coming weeks, please let me know what you think about this pilot project by sending me an e-mail, at Councillor_Robinson@toronto.ca, or by contacting my office at 416-395-6408. You can also contact city staff directly by e-mail at graffiti@toronto.ca.