Woodhaven and Richmond Hill received a splash of color over Memorial Day weekend, as local residents came together to paint the neighborhoods’ first large-scale community mural—one brushstroke at a time.

The mural, titled “Kids Make Neighborhoods,” was created on both sides of the Park Lane South underpass between 98th Street and 101st Street, where the two Queens communities meet. The painting took place Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The project was led by Woodhaven resident and artisan Jennifer Lambert, who co-founded the Woodhaven Mural Project (WMP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to beautifying local infrastructure through community-driven art. The group plans to complete murals on four underpasses, spanning a total of seven walls, with each design reflecting the area’s diversity and spirit.

Lambert, a Vermont native who has called Woodhaven home for more than a decade, first drew inspiration from the iconic “Bulldog Mural” at the Jamaica Avenue underpass. After regularly passing by the beloved landmark, she brought the idea of creating a companion mural to the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association (WRBA) during one of their monthly meetings.

“I wanted to respect that wall and complement it with something on the other side,” Lambert said.

Together with fellow Woodhaven resident Neil Giannelli, Lambert co-founded the WMP, aiming to spark community connection through collaborative art. “My community drives me,” she said. “It’s been incredible to see neighbors step up—whether by helping sketch outlines, donating, or simply cheering us on in person or online.”

The effort has drawn enthusiastic support from elected officials and local organizations. In advance of the painting weekend, State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. recommended WMP to the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), a nonprofit workforce development group, which helped prep the mural site by coating the underpass walls in a fresh layer of gray primer, as first reported by the Leader/Observer.

City Council Member Joann Ariola also backed the effort, connecting the WMP team with Home Depot, where Lambert and Giannelli secured discounted supplies to bring their vision to life.

Senator Addabbo and Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar visited the site during the weekend painting sessions to show their support and celebrate the community’s creative spirit.

Looking ahead, the Woodhaven Mural Project is continuing to expand its vision for public art and community engagement across Woodhaven and Richmond Hill. The group is set to collaborate with students from P.S. 306 and P.S. 273 on a series of upcoming mural activities tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 15 through Friday, Oct. 17.

In addition to mural work, Lambert said the group plans to “reinstitute the Daffodil Project” by replanting daffodil bulbs along the south side of the Park Lane South underpass, further enhancing the space with seasonal color and symbolism.

To keep young voices at the center of the initiative, the WMP plans to invite local schools to submit student artwork annually. One selected image will be featured each year on the underpass wall—rotated regularly as part of a growing “walking gallery,” a concept Lambert hopes to realize as funding allows.

The team also envisions expanding to other areas in need of beautification, including parts of Myrtle Avenue and Freedom Drive. “We’re hoping to go to Freedom Drive and work with the New York City Department of Transportation,” Lambert said.

For those who wish to start a similar neighborhood initiative, Lambert advised getting involved with the community and collaborating with locals who are on the same wavelength. “Find a handful of folks as passionate as you,” Lambert affirmed and later shared on Instagram . “Attend your civic meetings and share your ideas, push, and always, always believe.”

Aspiring community leaders can meet Lambert and the WMP on Friday, June 20 at 5 p.m. at the dedication ceremony of the “Kids Make Neighborhoods” mural, located at the Park Lane South underpass between 98 th Street and 101 st Street.

For updates on the upcoming dedication and future mural projects, follow the Woodhaven Mural Project on Instagram.

To support their efforts, donations can be made through the WMP’s GoFundMe page or by scanning the QR code on the flyer to contribute via Zelle. All proceeds go directly toward this volunteer-led initiative to beautify and uplift the community through public art.