Donovan mural spreads message of respect

Colourful and creative messages of respect, equality, balance, truth and more make up a mural at Heritage Park, a far cry from the offensive graffiti that covered the wall not so long ago.

This is thanks to a group of Donovan youth who spent three weeks creating a mural dedicated to their late friend, 13-year-old Adam Dickie, who drowned in Junction Creek in 2007.

The wall at Heritage Park in the Donovan was not only for Adam, but to aid in the creation of a mutual respect between the youth in the neighbourhood and community members.

A group of about 40 youth and a few volunteers from Myths and Mirrors Community Arts, created messages, images and artwork and painted the mural.

“Doing this mural was awesome because now we don't feel as intimidating as everyone thinks we are,” said Ryan, a teen who volunteered with the project. “This park is welcome to anybody at anytime. It's not just our park.”

An unveiling celebration took place Aug. 26 at the park, which is located at the corners of Bloor and Lansdowne Streets. Snacks were provided and local musicians performed in the gazebo.

The facade of the park has been a target for vandalism for years and has been a subject of discussion among residents for just as long. For participants, the completion of the project is a step toward a mutual respect between youth and others in the Donovan and creates a better understanding for everyone in the community.

Summer volunteers from Myths and Mirrors Community Arts took the opportunity to engage with youth to complete the artwork. Myths volunteers included Deanna Nebenionquit, Tanya Ball, Josh Herd, Andy Millis and Sarah Bradley.

Nebenionquit said there was a problem with community members and youth and the project is meant to recognize these problems and try to resolve them.

At the unveiling, Ward 4 Coun. Evelyn Dutrisac thanked the youth for their participation in the project.

“We need respect from each other,” she said. “If we want to keep this park, we really need the youth to work closely with Myths and Mirrors and the neighbours to ensure the park is an active park in our community.”

“I went around and looked at the different artwork, and I must say that our youth have a lot of creativity.”

The names of participants in the project are painted across the bottom of the mural.

Kelton Boyuk, 15, is one teen who volunteered his time.

“I've lived in the Donovan for 15 years. The littering and vandalism can get out of control (at the park),” he said.

For Boyuk, the mural has a message of community, of bringing people together.

“Respect what you have. It doesn't have to get to this point.”