Parks Make Life Better, a collaborative artwork by community youth and professional artists, was inspired by and created for Darby Park. Artists Wayne Healy and Michelle Glass worked with five youths to complete this 11’ tall and 41’ long mural.

The team explored all stages of the public art process, including developing three design options based on the City Parks and Recreation Department motto: Parks Make Life Better.

Mr. Healy, co-founder of Los Angeles’ legendary East Los Streetscapers, developed an eight-week course to expose the youths to figure drawing, mural design and color mixing. Ms. Glass, a public and social practice artist, focused on team dynamics and the strengths and challenges of the individual young artists.

Off site, ELS co-founder Botello digitally developed the students’ three design options for review by Inglewood's City Council. The one selected used sweeping parabolas as a background to the diverse activities and users of Darby Park.