Mural honors Brooklyn trailblazer Shirley Chisholm at namesake park

Even though many activities in the city are on pause, there are still some amazing attractions to get out and see close to home.

News 12 Staff

Jun 11, 2020, 4:32 PM

Updated 1,576 days ago

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Even though many activities in the city are on pause, there are still some amazing attractions to get out and see close to home.
One of these attractions is the mural honoring Shirley Chisholm in Shirley Chisholm State Park in Brooklyn.
The mural can be seen from quite a distance on the Belt Parkway, and beyond, as visitors approach Shirley Chisholm State Park. Brooklyn artist Danielle Mastrion said that’s how she wanted it be, when she was creating the mural.
"I wanted her face to be as big as possible so you can see this incredibly strong powerful woman from wherever you were coming from," says Mastrion.
The park is named after the Brooklyn-born trailblazer. Chisholm was the first African American congresswoman and the first black person to run for a major party's nomination for president.
"I'd like to think that she is looking out over her district, her borough, her city, that she did so much advocacy and so much work for," says Mastrion.
The four-sided mural also features vibrant flowers, birds, butterflies, turtles and even a salamander that serves as a guide to what visitors can spot in the park.
The back wall of the mural highlights one of Chisholm’s famous quotes. Mastrion says Chisholm wanted to be remembered as a catalyst for change.
"I hope that people get extremely inspired by her work and her legacy," says Mastrion.
Taking in the mural, along with 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, visitors can have a full summer day of exercise and educational fun at the park.