Mural creates a safer space

Published on 23 October 2019

A mural inspired by school students has delivered a safety message at one of Hobart’s busiest playgrounds.

A century after the original playground was installed, West Hobart’s Caldew Park – also known as the Train Park – remains an iconic family playspace.

A community project delivered by the City of Hobart, with funding through the Tasmanian Government, has brought the West Hobart community together to create a striking artwork that doubles as a reminder for motorists to slow down.

“Caldew Park was originally established in 1919 to create a safe place for children to play,” Cr Bill Harvey said. “One hundred years on and this theme is continuing through this fantastic community project.”

The City of Hobart has been working with the West Hobart community during the past two years to develop a range of fun and interactive traffic calming initiatives.

Local artist Sheree Martin worked with Landsdowne Crescent Primary School and the West Hobart community to create the mural with the aim of delivering a road safety message.

“Sheree involved children and other members of the community in the design and delivery of the mural and the result is a vibrant public artwork with strong community ownership and a clear safety message,” Cr Harvey said.

“Families got together at the park to share their mural ideas and school students took part in bike and road safety workshops that also fed into the mural design.

“The final design includes ‘eyes’ that are road safety aware and which morph into roundabouts that lead to the uphill roads of West Hobart. The new ‘wombat’ pedestrian crossing is also featured as part of a traffic light theme.”

Members of the West Hobart community today joined participants in the project to celebrate the completion of the mural.