Mural project coming along

NORWALK — The mural on the side of the building next to Suhr Park in Norwalk should be completed next month. The group Restore Norwalk is raising funds to pay for the project and a local artist is completing the work. "If you would like to make a donation toward the mural at Suhr Park our address is P.O. Box 271, Norwalk, Ohio 44857. Your help would be greatly appreciated," the group posted on its Facebook page on May 14. Restore Norwalk, which formed in 2016, is a group of volunteers raising funds towards family-fun amentities to be donated to Norwalk, according to its Facebook page. The group has also raised money for the splash pad at Suhr Park and is raising funds for a white picket fence to surround the park. "It's looking like it is coming along nicely," said Matt Dotson, vice president of Restore Norwalk of the mural. Heidi Helgeson Hovestaedt, a middle school art teacher in Norwalk, is actually the artist painting the mural. "Our mural project at the Suhr Park/splash pad has officially begun!!! A special thank you to Norwalk Middle school art teacher Heidi (Helgeson) Hovestaedt for assisting with the design and willingness to share her artistic talent! Please "like" and "share" as we are currently seeking donations to pay for labor and supplies. #RestoringNorwalk #inthistogether #community," the organization stated on their Facebook page. Norwalk Mayor Dave Light said, "She just got started there and we have a long way to go, but before you had an ugly wall with vines on it and this should definitely brighten things up down there." The mayor said the improvements at Suhr Park contribute to the city's overall charm. "That's a big gathering space and that's where most of our events take place," Light said. Light also said, "A great big thanks to Restore Norwalk once again."