Pioneer Park Gets ‘Year-Round Sunshine’ with new mural installations

Pioneer Park just got year-round sunshine. Thanks to two new murals that now brighten the locker room entrance walls, the beloved Arlington Heights park will have permanent sun, no matter the season or the weather.

The vibrant new artwork features a large, bold, golden sun radiating across a backdrop of flowing blue waves, symbolizing warmth, energy and community spirit. The mural transforms the park’s locker room entrances into spaces filled with life and color, reflecting the joy and connection that Pioneer Park brings to its visitors.

The mural was created by Sara Altieri, founder of Green Heart Gallery and Illinois native, who has spent the last several years in Phoenix, Arizona, painting large-scale works for nonprofits, schools, and community organizations. Known for her use of bright color and uplifting imagery, Altieri brings her signature desert-inspired vibrancy back to her home state with this joyful piece for Arlington Heights.

“The primary purpose of my work is to positively transform people and communities through color, creativity and art,” Sara Altieri said. “Community art is most powerful when it’s a shared experience; when people see their stories, their energy and their values reflected in the artwork. My hope is that these murals bring a sense of belonging and brightness to everyone who visits Pioneer Park.”

Visitors can find the murals in the entrances of the pool locker rooms where they add a bright pop of color upon entering. They serve as a warm and welcoming greeting for pool-goers of all ages, and are a celebration of community, creativity and the joy that the park brings to its visitors.

Green Heart Gallery was founded on the belief that communities come alive through art, and that creativity thrives when it’s shared. Every project reflects the dynamic, evolving role of art in the community, sparking joy, inspiring dialogue and weaving together the stories that shape who we are. Green Heart Gallery is a tribute to the collective energy of community art — where everyone has a place and a voice. Visit greenheartgallery.com.