Date: 8/22/26 5:25 pm From: 'PAUL ROBERTS' via Arlington Birds <arlingtonbirds...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Gorgeous Mystic Avenue Mural on MK, KZ, and Rodenticide is Completed in Somerville
This afternoon Julie and I visited the Mystic Avenue Mural Project in Somerville and saw their fantastic new panel honoring MK, KZ, and the fight against rodenticide. If you are familiar with these eagles (and even if you aren't) the panel is spectacular. For over thirty years, Somerville High School students have researched, designed, and painted huge murals along Mystic Avenue depicting various natural subjects/scenes in the Mystic River Valley, under the direction of noted muralist David Fichter. The program is supported by the Somerville Arts Council. Talented high school students have done fantastic murals of the lakes, of MK & KZ in earlier days, and of Buzz and Ruby and their kids at 185 Alewife Brook Parkway. This year they wanted to honor MK, who died of rodenticide poisoning three years ago, and draw attention to the fight for restrictions on rodenticide. If you haven't seen the murals before, perhaps it's time you should. The colorful panels are roughly 44' by 11'. There are approximately 30 panels covering roughly 1000 feet on the large Route 93 retaining wall along Mystic Avenue, They begin at about 500 Mystic Ave. near the intersection with Shore Drive and the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse (parking easiest off Shore Drive). The panels are best seen from across the street often over/behind heavy traffic. Because of the traffic viewing is best on Sunday or holiday mornings. You may well need more than one visit to see them all. We are fortunate to have such a beautiful public art project in the Mystic River Valley. We should not forget to also recognize local artist Yetti Frenkel, who did the wonderful "walk-on" Mystic River Watershed Map at the Mystic Lakes Dam. Yetti also did a fantastic birds mural in the (previously Women's, now unisex) bathroom at the "Warden's" on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island. It brightens my day every time I see it. I'lll post several photos of the new mural on my Facebook page tonight (open to the public). Best, Paul Paul M. Roberts Medford, MA <phawk254...>
