NASHUA – Fields Grove Park will soon be rid of its vandalism and excessive liter after a face lift from the Pratt-Lawndale Neighborhood Watch Group, Positive Street Art, the City of Nashua, and the Youth Council.

The play structure and its surrounding wall and concrete will be painted with vibrant blues, purples, and yellows and intricate designs, inspired by the nearby water said Cecilia Ulibarri, president of Positive Street Art. On Friday, volunteers were focused on the play structure itself, but planned on painting designs on the wall and concrete by Sunday.

“We’re hoping to get the kids excited about something new,” Ulibarri said.

Ulibarri also said that volunteers hoped to deter new graffiti in their efforts, that future vandals will recognize the hard work dedicated to painting the structure and refrain from disrupting it.

Graffiti including vulgar words and “tags” previously covered the playground, its surrounding wall, and much of the nearby concrete when Sarah Roy, a nearby resident who regularly brings her 3-year-old son to the park, became tired of the mess.

“I’d had enough,” Roy said. “The sooner (the vandalism) is addressed, the better. The longer it stays, the longer it encourages more vandalism.”

Roy said that she continually called the city’s Parks and Recreation Department when she noticed new “tags,” or small amounts of graffiti by one individual or group. While the department would clean up the paint, new graffiti continually appeared.

Roy approached Ulibarri a little over a year ago after reading about her organization’s work. Ulibarri, who recently moved out of another nearby neighborhood, knew about the playground’s graffiti and was eager to get involved.

“I’ve known this park for a long time,” Ulibarri said. “It started small, with little tags (on the playground).”

Ulibarri said the largest damage, blue spray paint on the entire stone wall surrounding the playground, occurred last year.

Along with the redecorating, Roy said more trash cans will be added to the park to prevent littering. Previously, only one trash receptacle served the entire park, located in the parking lot.

“If you’re a mom with little kids, you’re not going to leave them (in the playground) to go throw something away,” Roy said, as she indicated the distance from the structure to the parking lot, with its partially obstructed view. “I really can’t blame them for littering.”

The project will cost just over $3,000. Neighborhood residents donated $540 for paint and supplies, while the remaining $2500 will be provided through a grant from the Youth Council and additional funding from the City’s Community Development Division.

Positive Street Art is no stranger to brightening spaces in the Greater Nashua community. The group, launched in January 2012, has already painted murals at the Ash Street Skate Park, near the heritage trail, also on Ash Street, behind the Dunkin’ Donuts at 42 Main Street, and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua.

The four sponsoring organizations plan to host a party at Fields Grove Park on July 28 to celebrate the park’s new look.

Jennifer Janiak can be reached
at 594-6549 or jjaniak@nashua
telegraph.com.