First-of-its-kind mural created by more than 100 volunteers unveiled in Salmon Creek

Published Date

In a first-of-its kind project for Clark County, Public Works brought together more than 50 volunteer artists, dozens of volunteers, and staff from many different divisions in Public Works to paint a mural celebrating healthy streams. The approximately 4,000-square-foot mural features stormwater pollution prevention messages and more than 60 fish, of species native to Salmon Creek, painted in the unique styles of the volunteer artists. 

This special project was initiated by local resident Vicki Holman, who approached Public Works with the dream to beautify a frequently vandalized retaining wall across from Salmon Creek. The wall is located on the south side of Northeast 117th Street just west of Highway 99. Vicki envisioned a mural highlighting the diversity of Clark County artists and celebrating healthy streams. Within six months, under the direction of local mural artist Ana Gabriella and Public Works staff, Vicki’s dream became a reality this September. Nearly 100 volunteers made this community beautification project a reality, providing an inspirational example of the community coming together for a common cause.

“This project, led by our Community Engagement team, gave Public Works a rare opportunity to involve our parks, Clean Water, and roads divisions while working hand-in-hand with passionate community volunteers,” said Public Works director Ken Lader. “The generosity, time, and care people poured into this is inspiring, and it created something uniquely special for Clark County.”

An unveiling celebration this past Saturday recognized everyone who came together to make this project possible. The event also kicked off the Salmon Creek Solutions project, which will involve the community in shaping the county’s plan to improve the way stormwater runoff is managed to create a healthy and thriving Salmon Creek for families, fish and wildlife. 

For information about road and park projects, closures, opportunities for community input, and more, residents can follow Public Works on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram and view information on Nextdoor. Residents can also visit clark.wa.gov/public-works to sign up for email notifications. 

A two-lane road with a double-yellow stripe in the middle and white stripes on the edges curves around to the left towards the top of the photo. Behind the road, across the street from the viewer, is a retaining wall about 10 feet tall, covered with patches of neutral-colored paint. There are trees in the background and a cloudy sky.
A large group of dozens of people stand on a sidewalk between a road and retaining wall. The wall behind them is gray and is painted with gray, black and white fish. Above the wall is a chain-link fence, behind which is green vegetation. It is a sunny day. A woman in the middle smiles at the camera while she holds giant scissors, cutting a green ribbon.
A group of several dozen people smile, wave and pose while standing on a sidewalk in front of a large retaining wall. The wall is gray and painted with gray, black and white fish. There is a chain link fence at the top of the wall and green vegetation behind the fence. It is a sunny day.
Four people wearing florescent orange and yellow vests paint a retaining wall. The wall is gray with black, white and gray fish and the words, "we all live downstream". The volunteer on the far left is standing on scaffolding. There is scaffolding and tarps near each volunteer. A chain link fence, green vegetation and a brick home can be seen at the top of the wall. In front of the wall is a two-lane road with three traffic cones. It is a partially cloudy day.
A person with long hair, wearing a florescent orange vest that says, "volunteer", uses a small brush to add white paint to a white, black, and gray fish on a gray retaining wall.
Volunteers wearing florescent yellow and orange vests paint gray, black and white fish on a gray retaining wall. One volunteer is standing in the foreground painting a fish, two volunteers in the background are sitting on the ground painting, and a volunteer seen in the far background is standing to paint. They are on a sidewalk in the shade on a sunny day. The retaining wall is topped with a chain link fence. There are green leafy trees in the background.