Tucson’s Arroyo Chico Neighborhood is hosting a mural painting party this weekend, as part of a larger effort to empower residents to redefine community safety.

The midtown neighborhood is the latest site of Just Communities Arizona’s Community Safety Incubator Project, a grassroots initiative that lets neighborhoods develop their own approaches to creating safe, connected spaces without relying on traditional security measures. 

Earlier this month, dozens of neighbors and volunteers spent the day at Robison Elementary School, transforming an overgrown, neglected pathway into a welcoming, safe space.

The project also helped strengthen community ties. As volunteers cleared debris, preparing the area for a vibrant mural, they also connected over shared goals, infusing the neighborhood with a renewed sense of pride and vitality.

“We’re showing that safety can be achieved through relationships rather than solely through institutional structures,” said Caroline Isaacs, executive director of Just Communities Arizona. “It’s about bringing people together and building safe spaces through mutual care.”

For Enrique Olivares Pelayo, who joined Just Communities Arizona in 2020, the mission is deeply personal.

Formerly incarcerated, Enrique sees the incubator projects as a chance to reframe justice narratives and contribute positively to his community.

“I was drawn to this work because it’s about changing perceptions around justice and supporting people directly impacted by incarceration,” he said. “This event gave me the chance to work alongside neighbors who share a passion for change, and it’s a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together.”

Volunteers came armed with tools, trash bags and an eagerness to make a difference. Their first mission was clearing the overgrown Bermuda grass and trash along the pathway, used daily by local families and children.

“This space was overgrown and littered, which made it feel unsafe, especially for the kids walking to and from school,” said Arroyo Chico resident David Gonzalez. “Having a brighter, open pathway will make kids feel safer. Plus, seeing clean spaces makes people less inclined to litter,” he added.

Local artist Camila Ibarra, who recently moved to the neighborhood, has volunteered her talents to design the mural for the pathway, letting volunteers choose their preferred concept.

One design features a child bringing a mythical creature to life, inspired by Mexican Alebrijes, which are colorful creatures from Mexican folk art, often carved from wood or made with papier-mâché. Ibarra said this design symbolizes dreams and imagination.

The other design is a vibrant sunset scene with a mountain backdrop that features dogs in sunglasses running across the landscape. This design represents the pathway’s popularity as a favorite spot for dog walking, Ibarra said.

“Living here, I wanted to create something that brings joy and represents what makes this neighborhood special,” she said. “I’m thrilled to be part of a project that resonates with my new community.”

By the end of the cleanup, volunteers had collected several dozen bags of trash, removed invasive plants and restored accessibility to the walkway. But beyond the physical improvements, the event also gave residents a chance to connect and engage with one another. 

“This is such a good opportunity to make the area look nicer,” Gonzalez said. “I think so many of us just go straight home after work without connecting with our neighbors. But events like this help us come together and see the potential in our neighborhood.”

Sunday's mural painting party, which kicks off at 10 a.m. at the southwest corner of Robison Elementary, is the next phase of the project and will offer residents a chance to contribute directly to the artwork via a paint-by-numbers design. The family-friendly event will also feature food and music.

Isaacs said events like these set a meaningful example for other neighborhoods about what is achievable when people come together with a shared purpose. They’re also an important part in strengthening community ties.

“This is about more than beautification; it’s about building connections,” she said. “These events allow people to see themselves as caretakers of their own spaces. When they pass by the murals or walk along the clean pathway, they can feel pride in what they’ve created together.”

Angelina Maynes is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and reporter with Tucson Spotlight. Contact her at angelinamaynes@arizona.edu.

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