Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and the Groundswell Community Mural Project today announced 12 community-designed murals in parks across all five boroughs to celebrate the 2026 FIFA World Cup and leave a lasting legacy in New York City's neighborhoods.
This initiative-launched in partnership with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development-will transform public spaces into vibrant works of art created by young people, artists and community members. Together, the murals will celebrate the energy, creativity and community spirit that define New York City while creating welcoming public spaces that will remain long after the tournament ends. Throughout the summer, New Yorkers of all ages will be invited to help create the murals through community paint days at each site.
"These murals will belong to the neighborhoods that brought them to life-from Fordham Heights to Ocean Hill to Laurelton and communities across our city. Long after the final whistle of the World Cup, kids will walk past these walls and see something their families helped create," said Mayor Mamdani. "That's how public art strengthens our sense of belonging and reflects the people who call their neighborhoods home. I'm grateful for this partnership and for the chance to leave something behind that will outlast the tournament itself."
"New York City is alive with the spirit of the World Cup. Neighbors living here for generations alongside newer New Yorkers from countries around the world are coming together to celebrate, and these murals will illustrate this unique moment in our city," said NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Diya Vij. "I encourage all New Yorkers to pick up a paintbrush and join one of Groundswell's community paint days, and help shape these vibrant, community-led public artworks that will keep the World Cup energy alive for months to come."
"Murals have the power to tell the stories of our neighborhoods and create a sense of belonging for everyone who visits our parks," said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. "By inviting New Yorkers of all ages to help create these works of art, we're creating more than murals-we're celebrating the creativity and diversity of our communities. As New York City continues to welcome the world for the 2026 World Cup, we're proud to partner with Groundswell NYC, the Mayor's Office, and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs to showcase how park spaces bring New Yorkers together every day."
"This project serves as a special way for Groundswell to close out our 30th anniversary year. Our partnerships with professional teaching artists, young people, and communities across New York City create public art that unites people from all walks of life," said Yvonne M. Brathwaite, Executive Director, Groundswell Community Mural Project. "This summer, we're especially excited to welcome not only local New Yorkers, but also visitors from around the world to pick up a paintbrush and join our mural making experiences. We are honored to create these murals that lift up the joy of play and highlight the diversity of cultures and languages that create a sense of belonging, and celebrate creativity and community pride all over New York City!"
Mural Locations:
Bronx
- Walton Playground (Fordham Heights) 2115 Walton Avenue at East 181st Street. Lead Artist: Angel Garcia. Mural Size: 880 square feet.
- Franz Sigel Park (South Bronx) 670 Walton Avenue at East 153rd Street. Lead Artist: VASH. Mural Size: 1,200 square feet.
Brooklyn
- Callahan-Kelly Playground (Ocean Hill) 2300 Fulton Street. Lead Artist: Miki Mu. Mural Size: 600 square feet.
- Garden Playground (Bushwick/South Williamsburg) - 16 Garden Street at Flushing Avenue. Lead Artist: Yolande Delius. Mural Size: 720 square feet.
Manhattan
- St. Nicholas Park (West Harlem) 582 St. Nicholas Avenue at West 139th Street. Lead Artist: Viktoriya Basina. Mural Size: 480 square feet.
- Coleman Playground (Two Bridges/Lower East Side) 58 Market Street at Monroe Street. Lead Artist: Misha Tyutyunik. Mural Size: 780 square feet.
- Lily Brown Playground at Fort Washington Park (Washington Heights) 915 Riverside Drive at West 163rd Street. Lead Artist: Vincent Ballentine. Mural Size: 1,200 square feet.
Queens
- Montbellier Park (Laurelton) 138-17 Springfield Boulevard at 138th Road. Lead Artist: Peach Tao. Mural Size: 180 square feet.
- Emerald Playground (Pomonok) 162-41 71st Avenue at 164th Street, Fresh Meadows. Lead Artist: Carlos Mateu. Mural Size: 360 square feet.
- Steinway Playground (Astoria-Ditmars) 20-35 38th Street at 20th Road. Lead Artist: Colleen Kong-Savage. Mural Size: 720 square feet.
Staten Island
- Prall Playground (West Brighton) 241 Elizabeth Street at Forest Avenue Long Pond Lane. Lead Artist: Mimi Ditkoff. Mural Size: 1,200 square feet.
- Arrochar Playground (Arrochar) 71-61 Sand Lane at Major Avenue. Lead Artist: Lina Montoya. Mural Size: 1,200 square feet.
Community members shaped each mural through neighborhood conversations and surveys, ensuring every design reflects the identity, culture and aspiration of the surrounding community. The completed murals will remain as permanent public artwork.
New Yorkers can learn more about upcoming Paint Days here .
