J.D. Boychuk

All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

5934 Alameda Avenue Richmond, CA, 94804 United States

(510) 775-0987

The Fine Art contributions of John Boychuk _ Sculpture, Digital Crossover Images, Ceramic/ Clay, Metal work, Mixed medium, Drawings, and other art out-put from the artist.

Graffiti Parks

 

GRAFFITI PARK PILOT

Miraflores + Nicholl Park

Prepared by: John Boychuk
Role: Project Designer, Project Manager, Initial Graffiti Writer Community Organizer

PURPOSE

Improve safety and public-space quality by redirecting existing graffiti activity into intentional, safer, and more visible locations using design and empowerment, not enforcement.

CORE PRINCIPLE

People take better care of spaces when:

  • Their contribution is allowed

  • Their work is visible

  • The environment communicates intention and respect

Empowerment drives behavioral change.

SITE STRATEGY

Miraflores

  • Long wall treated as high-density free-for-all graffiti zone

  • Existing activity is concentrated, not displaced

  • Walkways remain clear and continuous

  • Path-adjacent fencing visually softened or green-buffered

  • Painting redirected away from pedestrian circulation

Nicholl Park

  • New open-air gallery visible from BART

  • 2–4 large vertical panels (Phase 1)

  • Panels oriented away from walkways and seating

  • Purpose-built surfaces pull activity off park edges

SAFETY & BEHAVIOR CHANGE

  • Panels provide better targets than walkways

  • Painting shifts away from circulation areas

  • Clear spatial hierarchy prevents spread

  • Predictable paint direction and activity zones

  • Harm reduction through design, not policing

PROJECT DELIVERY

  • All construction and welding by licensed General Contractor and welder

  • No informal or volunteer labor

  • Base pilot excludes youth programming

Project Lead Responsibilities

  • Design leadership and project management

  • Initial graffiti writer community coordination

  • First activation and artist sequencing

  • Oversight to ensure quality, safety, and long-term success


QR CODE & WEBSITE

  • On-site QR codes link to a simple project website

  • Explains where painting is encouraged vs discouraged

  • Provides light scheduling for gallery panels only

  • Sets shared norms without permits or enforcement

  • Reduces confusion and random tagging

COST OPTIONS (PHASE 1 PILOT)

  • $15,000 — Lean pilot (Miraflores + 2 panels)

  • $20,000 — Balanced pilot (full Miraflores + 4 panels) (recommended)

  • $30,000 — Expanded / grant-ready (6–8 panels, added youth engagement)

BENEFITS

  • Improved pedestrian and family safety

  • Reduced paint on walkways and edges

  • Fewer abatement cycles

  • Clear behavior shift through empowerment

  • Scalable, reversible pilot model

FUTURE POSSIBILITIES

  • Youth engagement and training (in Option 3)

  • Nichols Pedestrian Bridge landing art or sculpture

  • California Arts Council funding

Expansion to additional corridors