Fighting Graffiti With Whimsy

Kids prefer sunflowers and fairy tales to gang tagging. That’s why the city, the Clark County Mural Society, Vancouver’s Downtown Association and the Vancouver Fire Department recently got together and raised about $6,000 to commission some sunny, funny artworks for the nine pillars that hold up the big gazebo roof at Marshall Community Park, alongside the Chelsea Anderson playground. “Painting murals helps prevent graffiti,” said Linda Reed of the Mural Society. Artist Jane Degenhardt’s design follows the adventures of Jack up his beanstalk. Degenhardt will be finished with the project in about three weeks, Reed said.