"Catches the eye:" Washington Park creates 'traffic calming mural' to revitalize the neighborhood

MILWAUKEE -- A welcoming distraction! A new mural in the Washington Park neighborhood is designed to help revitalize the community and actually help slow traffic down. The vibrant image is helping keep people safe while engaging the community and bringing people together.

Traffic calming mural

With just a stencil and a few cans of spray paint, volunteers are making a difference from the ground up.

Traffic calming mural

"We are bringing such an excitement and an energy to this neighborhood," said Paula Butler, Habitat for Humanity.

TEMPO Milwaukee teamed up with Habitat for Humanity and local residents to paint what's called a "traffic calming mural" at the intersection of 41st and Garfield.

"It's just something that catches the eye and just reminds people 'oh, I got to slow down,'" said Butler.

Paula Butler says the artwork is all part of addressing residents needs.

"86% of the residents surveyed in the neighborhood, say traffic and speeding are the #1 concern. There are tons of little ones that live on this block so they got together and they did the very long process of getting a speed bump that was just installed this past week. So to complement those efforts, we are doing a street calming mural. We just want folks to remember this is a neighborhood where people live and work and play. It's a great place to be and you need to be respectful when you are here," said Butler.

Traffic calming mural

While making drivers more aware of their surroundings, the bold pattern is a delightful addition to the neighborhood.

The mural is the first of many. Saturday morning, another one will be created at the intersection just a block away. The designs will have to be renewed every year, so it's just one more way of bringing the community together more often.