The painted intersection that originally was a temporary improvement to slow traffic has become an essential part of the Beechwood community.
That’s why community partners will repaint the street mural at the intersection of Parsells Avenue and Greeley Street Saturday. The street painting, called Art on the Avenue, will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24.
This intersection was first painted in 2018 as part of Reconnect Rochester’s Complete Streets Makeover project.
“We're so excited to join Beechwood neighbors for the Art on the Avenue event to refresh the Parsells and Greeley street mural and maintain this neighborhood hub as a safe and vibrant public space,” said Mary Starapoli, executive director of Reconnect Rochester, “Not only does asphalt art beautify a space, but it signals to drivers to slow down as they pass through a special place that is cared for by the community.”
The street painting will include painting, community and kids activities, food, music, vendors tabling. Recreation on the Move will participate from 2 to 5 p.m. This year’s project will include the handprints of children to remind drivers of all the kids present in the neighborhood.
Volunteers say they look forward to the community building that is part of the event.
"It brings all ages of the community together through a playful learning experience," said Denise Vogel, a neighborhood resident leading the street repainting effort.
Jesse Knoth, PlayROCs project coordinator for Healthi Kids, said community support has helped maintain this street mural for five years.
“The Complete Streets Makeover is meant to be a temporary traffic project, which is why it’s wonderful to see the community take long-term ownership to continue to maintain this and advocate for permanent changes to the street design,” he said.
The project has helped to slow speeding traffic traveling through the area, Knoth said.
“Traffic studies done after before and after the project showed decreases in speeds at that intersection,” he said.
Partners for Art on the Avenue are Healthi Kids, Connected Communities, Reconnect Rochester, the Beechwood Neighborhood Coalition, 441 Ministries and the Rochester City Council.
About Healthi Kids
The Healthi Kids Coalition, an initiative of Common Ground Health, advocates for the creation of policies, systems, environments, and resources that advance the health and well-being of all children birth to age 8 in Rochester and the Finger Lakes region. We advance policies to ensure all kids have the supports they need for the healthiest start in life. Learn more at healthikids.org.
Editor’s note: Reconnect Rochester’s Complete Streets Makeover is currently seeking nominations of projects for 2025. Residents can nominate intersections and trouble spots in Monroe County for a resdesign to improve safety of all users. Nominations are due Aug. 25. Nominate here: www.ReconnectRochester.org/csm-nomination.