Blue Zones Project Parkland-Spanaway brings residents and local artists together to strengthen community pride through public art.

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PARKLAND, WA — Home to more than 35,000 residents in unincorporated Pierce County, Parkland is a community shaped by towering evergreens, open prairie remnants, and neighborhoods where generations of families have built their lives. Known around the world as the home of Pacific Lutheran University, Parkland’s identity extends far beyond its campus. It is a place defined by the people who intentionally choose to call it home—and by a growing movement to strengthen pride in that choice.

That movement took shape after Blue Zones Project Parkland-Spanaway surveyed local residents in 2023 and discovered that fewer than 3 of 10 residents reported feeling proud to call Parkland home. For local leaders, the finding became a call to action.
Soon after, the “Parkland with Purpose” campaign was born. More than a slogan, the initiative seeks to celebrate the people, stories, and places that make Parkland unique while creating new opportunities for residents to connect with one another and the community around them.

One of the campaign’s first major efforts focuses on public art. Research has shown that access to public art can strengthen neighborhood attachment, increase feelings of belonging, and foster community pride. After months of gathering input from residents about where they would like to see more art in Parkland, several locations emerged as priorities. Among them were two
prominent WA State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) retaining walls located along Pacific Avenue between 115th and 117th Streets.

With approval from WSDOT, Blue Zones Project Parkland-Spanaway moved forward with a community-led artist selection process and preparations for installation. Following a competitive review process featuring submissions from artists across Pierce County, local muralists Mary Mann and Nick Goettling were selected to lead the effort.

This week, residents are working alongside both artists to help bring the murals to life. The collaborative paint days are designed not only to beautify a highly visible corridor, but also to create opportunities for neighbors to connect, contribute, and leave their mark on a project that reflects the community itself. At a time when many residents are looking for reasons to come together and invest in a hopeful future, the murals offer a visible reminder that positive change is something communities can create together.

For Mary Mann, the work extends beyond paint and design. “I believe art is essential to human health and well-being, and helping young people recognize their own artistic potential has been the greatest joy of my career,” said Mann. Her perspective reflects a central goal of the Parkland with Purpose campaign: creating spaces where residents can see themselves, their stories, and their aspirations reflected in the places they share.

The mural installations represent the first of many Parkland with Purpose initiatives planned for the coming year. This summer, the campaign will also launch the Parkland Food Crawl, a community-wide celebration of local restaurants, cafés, and eateries designed to encourage residents to explore and support neighborhood businesses.

Community members interested in following the mural project, volunteering, or learning about upcoming events are encouraged to follow @parklandwithpurpose on Facebook and Instagram.

CALL TO ACTION:

On June 3rd and June 4th (8:30am – 12pm), residents will be participating in community paint days where they will have the opportunity to contribute to each mural. Local journalists and media outlets are invited to help amplify this project by covering the mural installation process.
The following assets are available to accompany coverage of Parkland With Purpose Mural Projects:
● High-resolution photos and video (16:9 and 9:16) of featured artists and community members during Day 1 of 3 of the community paint days
● Social media graphics and materials to spotlight the Parkland Mural Projects