Burnside Mural+ is a resident-led initiative creating a visual representation of the colorful history of Glen Park through the addition of a large-scale mural and tiled stairway.
Burnside Mural+ is a resident-led initiative creating a visual representation of the colorful history of Glen Park through both a large mural and tiled stairway.
Had it not been for the political activism of local women in the 1960s, this area would have been turned into rubble to become a freeway.
The wall and tiled stairway depict stories of the neighborhood, from the days when the canyon was home to a dynamite factory (that blew up!) and even had a popular zoo and amusement park, complete with a bear pit and acrobatic aeronauts.
The tiled stairway will highlight Islais Creek, which runs from the canyon and under the Burnside Mural+ wall, and was once a likely a hunting grounds for the area’s Indigenous peoples, the Yelamu.
The location connects to both the Glen Park Greenway and the Crosstown Trail. It is a spot where countless walkers and hikers alike, many of whom are headed to Glen Canyon, can take a moment to absorb and appreciate the history of the neighborhood.
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the community, the mural was completed in summer 2022. Planning is currently underway to realize the tiled stairway.
Visit the Burnside Mural+ website to see updates on the project, check out volunteer opportunities, and reach out to get involved with the project!