If you’ve passed by Allan Gardens lately, you’ve likely noticed the hoarding that’s been put up while a new water main is under construction. Kristyn Wong-Tam wanted to prevent this from being an eyesore through 2015. Here’s the story:

From OpenFile, by Melissa Wilson:

It’s been just under six months since a chunk of Allan Gardens was boarded up to make way for a new water main, and Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Ward 27, Toronto Centre-Rosedale) has hated the sight of it ever since. Wong-Tam conceded that the repairs were necessary, but with an estimated completion date slotted for sometime in 2015, she wasn’t about to let 211 metres of ugly, 8-foot hoarding surrounding the construction zone remain to dominate an otherwise beautiful, if underappreciated, city park.

She told OpenFile back in January, just weeks after construction crews broke ground, that she was planning to have murals painted on the hoarding to beautify the space. Wong-Tam has made good on her word: Thursday, June 21 marked the official launch of the mural project, which will be completely finished in early July.

The murals are designed and created by 21 members of Toronto’s Aboriginal community, and will feature five vignettes to illustrate Aboriginal history in the area. One will honour missing or murdered Aboriginal women; one will be a historical timeline that begins with the creation story; one will depict the coming together of North and South indigenous nations; one to illustrate various indigenous teaching and, appropriately, one will focus on the importance of water.

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