Mayor Don Walters is proud to announce the completion of an original work of public art that celebrates the city's namesake river and its enduring connection to the community. The newly installed mural, located on the west abutment of the Portage Trail bridge underpass, honors the people, history, and places that have shaped the city's relationship with the Cuyahoga River—from industrial beginnings to environmental restoration and downtown revitalization.
Created by Cleveland-based artist April Bleakney, the multilayered mural incorporates historic and city-centric imagery to depict the evolving connection between the river, the land, and the people of Cuyahoga Falls.
"This mural beautifully captures who we are as a community—our deep roots and resilience, and our ongoing commitment to revitalization and environmental stewardship," stated Mayor Don Walters. "Public art brings meaning to shared spaces, and this piece will stand as a lasting reflection of the spirit of Cuyahoga Falls."
Commissioned by the City of Cuyahoga Falls, the project was developed in partnership with the Cuyahoga Falls Public Art Board, which approved the concept, funding, and location. The Ohio Department of Transportation provided acknowledgment for the mural's installation along the city's right-of-way on Riverfront Parkway.
Bleakney conducted significant research in collaboration with the Cuyahoga Falls Historical Society and local stakeholders. She produced the mural using enlarged screen prints as a heat-set vinyl application, following a complete surface cleanup and repainting of the underpass wall and pedestals. Inflatable Images managed the installation process.
"The overarching concept was visualizing the connection between Cuyahoga Falls - its people and history - with the Cuyahoga River and nature of the broader Cuyahoga Valley region," stated Bleakney. "Through a collaged mashup of hyperlocal old and new, I'm illustrating the evolution from the early days to the present-day state of renewal, both environmentally and with the area's Front Street revitalization."
The mural can be viewed on the east and south-facing walls of the Portage Trail bridge underpass along Riverfront Parkway, adding a vibrant focal point to the adjacent RiverLoop project.