Water pollution is a major concern for Clearwater because of the amount of trash entering storm drains. Juliahna Green, neighborhood services coordinator for the city of Clearwater, is hoping a new initiative that starts with residents will stop the growing problem.
“There’s a general misconception that people have that you can throw things down storm drains,” Green said.
Clearwater’s storm drain mural program was created to give people the chance to take ownership of the place they live in. The murals have been wildly successful since the program started in October 2019, with over 50 murals on storm drains throughout the city.
“I think it really appeals to people that they can get out there and make their neighborhood a better, more beautiful place,” Green said.
Artistic talent is not required for this project. Not only does the city provide all the materials for free, but they also supply stencils. Maranda Douglas is part of a group that has taken advantage of the city’s program to create an arts corridor in a blighted community.
“I saw this opportunity as a way to get people out in the community and claim responsibility for the area that they live in,” Douglas said.
Clearwater is looking to extend its mural campaign to other areas of the city in the future, including dumpsters and intersections.
