Rolling Meadows Park District receives Best of the Best Award for Kirchoff Road Underpass Mural Project

Recognized for partnering with the Rolling Meadows High School Art Club to enhance quality of life in the community, Rolling Meadows Park District received a Best of the Best Arts in the Park Award from the Illinois Association of Park Districts.

The award was presented Friday, Oct. 14, for the park district's work with Rolling Meadows High School art instructors and students to paint a 92-foot mural on the wall of the Kirchoff Road Pedestrian Underpass. Designed, drawn and painted by members of the Rolling Meadows High School Art Club, the mural depicts recreation activities in all four seasons and celebrates the park district's vision and tagline, "Play Learn Grow." Executive Director Kevin Romejko and park district staff accepted the award, along with Rolling Meadows High School art instructors Martha Nava and Cathy Pach.

"It was a true gift to be involved with the park district," Nava said. "They were so supportive and my students had a wonderful time designing and creating this mural. I encourage you to reach out to the youth and artists in your community because my students are so proud of what they created, and the community response has been wonderful."

The Kirchoff Road Underpass Mural was designed and painted April through June and unveiled July 14. Prior to the project, the heavily trafficked underpass, frequented by cyclists, walkers, in-line skaters and runners, boasted a dark, discolored cement wall. Power washing and block filler transformed the space into a massive canvas, ready to capture the Rolling Meadows High School Art Club's artistic skills.

For information, visit rmparks.org or call (847) 818-3200.