Through a partnership with Mural Arts, Philadelphia Water is bringing the power of public art to its nationally acclaimed stormwater management program.

The result is Waterways, a series of temporary murals created by artist Eurhi Jones. Stretching 10 blocks from Pretzel Park in the heart of Manayunk, to Venice Island on the Schuylkill River, the artwork’s exciting imagery and bold colors act as a series of “wayfinding” steppingstones that pay homage to the area’s industrial history and wildlife. More than 50 individual works of art depict herons, shad, crayfish and more, while highlighting Philadelphia Water’s groundbreaking stormwater innovations on Venice Island.

The collaboration between Philadelphia Water and Mural Arts promotes the power of art to enhance community connections to Venice Island, the Manayunk Canal and the Schuylkill River. Completed in the fall of 2014 with the support of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and the Manayunk Development Corporation, the new amenities at Venice Island include stormwater -slowing tree planters , a pump house with a green roof, and an innovative subsurface basin that can prevent nearly four million gallons of untreated water from entering the Schuylkill during heavy rains.

Venice Island not only protects and improves the environmental health of the Schuylkill River, but it also includes a full-scale reconstruction of the recreational facilities and community amenities, including the new Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center, basketball courts and a new parking lot.

Given the scale of improvements made at Venice Island and investment in the invaluable natural resources of the Schuylkill River and Manayunk Canal, the sprawling nature of Waterways makes for a fitting pairing. The vinyl artwork was fabricated and installed by sign&design inc., and brings the artist’s vision to life.

We invite you to come visit Manayunk, explore Venice Island, and let the Waterways be your guide!