Boulder's Goss Grove neighborhood paints a pavement mural

Butterflies, dragonflies, crystals and a pink Lotus flower took shape today at the intersection of 19th and Grove streets, forming a compass to mark the Goss Grove neighborhood as Boulder's geographic center.

The Goss Grove neighborhood is the first, under a new Boulder permit system approved in the spring, to paint a permanent mural on the road. The city piloted the “paint the pavement” program two years ago in the Martin Acres neighborhood, after a resident came up with the idea for a neighborhood mural.

Jerrie Hurd, Goss Grove Neighborhood Association chairwoman, said she wanted a project that would bring the neighborhood together — college students, families and retirees.

“There's a buy-in for pride in the neighborhood,” she said.

The mural was designed by resident and oil painting artist Jan Burch. She said the lotus and crystals represent the Dushanbe Teahouse and Naropa, which border the neighborhood. Butterflies are common, she said, while the neighborhood also is visited by “a million dragonflies.”

The colors are bright and playful — yellow, orange, blue, lavender, pink and green. Most of the paint, mainly street paint and some patio paint, and the materials were donated. Donors included Colorado Paint, McGuckin Hardware, Rocky Mountain Blueprint and Izze.

The neighborhood chipped in to cover unexpected expenses, including extra paint.

Neighbors and the occasional tourist stopped by throughout the day to watch the progress. Erik Lasko, who moved to Boulder a few days ago, was going to buy groceries when he saw the mural and agreed to help paint.

“It looks like a really cool design,” he said.

Eithne Mulligan, 7, and her brother Graham, 6, tackled the orange butterfly wings. They live about three houses away from “the center of Boulder,” Eithne said.

“It's really awesome,” she said as she surveyed her work.

Another volunteer painter was Deb Crowell, who ended up with blue paint streaks on her face and blue covered hands after working into the early afternoon. She said she bailed on a camping trip because she didn't want to miss it.

“I wanted to be a part of this,” she said. “It's a cool neighborhood with a lot of diversity. We've all worked hard to make it what it is.”

The neighborhood group plans to touch up the painting once a year.

The application process for a neighborhood street painting is set up much like that of a neighborhood block party. Neighbor have to sign off on closing down the street for the project and submit a draft design for the Boulder Arts Commission to review.

There is no charge for the permit, but residents are responsible for renting street barricades to block traffic.

Boulder Green Streets sponsored the Goss Grove project and helped the neighborhood with the permit process.