Green Valley painted itself onto its own park. Pecos Legacy Park has a new series of murals called Gradients of Green Valley, and the City of Henderson celebrates them Thursday, November 12, from 9 to 10 a.m.
The celebration is free and open to all. One hour is the whole window, so this is a set-your-alarm story, not a wander-by story.
The Neighbors Wrote This One
The murals were inspired by feedback from the community on what America 250 means to them. That is the twist most park art never gets. The subject came from the people who use the park.
Artist Miguel Hernandez listened first and painted second. In his words: "I wanted to paint a reflection of the surrounding community through gradients of color and the ideas gathered from meeting with them as well."
"I hope the community feels heard and seen in their efforts in having this park be uniquely theirs," Hernandez said. Thursday morning, neighbors can check his work against their own words.
The project celebrates 250 years of America, and Hernandez treated that as homework. In his words, "it was important to me to listen and learn about the park, its patrons and events before beginning the process" of beautifying the park.
What Happens in That One Hour
- Meet Miguel Hernandez, the artist behind Gradients of Green Valley.
- Hear from the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts about the significance and impact of the artwork on the community.
- See the newest series of murals alongside the neighbors who helped shape them.
Miss the hour and the murals still stay. What leaves at 10 a.m. is the artist, the backstory, and the people who can tell you which ideas on the wall came from which neighbors.
Make a Morning of It in Green Valley
Pecos Legacy Park is at 150 Pecos Rd, Henderson, NV 89014. Park hours run 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., so early arrivals lose nothing.
The park backs the art up with a full morning. It offers a ball field, basketball and tennis courts, a playground, picnic shelters, and trail connectivity.
Pack a picnic while you are at it. Barbecues, picnic tables, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, an open grass area, and restrooms round out the park.
- Arrive by 8:45 a.m. The program runs 9 to 10 a.m. sharp.
- Meet Hernandez and ask which community ideas made the wall.
- Stay after 10 a.m. The courts, the playground, and the trails are all right there.
Green Valley asked for art that sounds like Green Valley. Thursday at 9 a.m., it gets to hear itself out loud.
