THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, AugusT 21, 2026 Page 9 MyRWA and City of Everett unveil new mural at Florence Street Park T he Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) and the City of Everett were pleased to announce the unveiling of a new mural at Florence Street Park (Big Flo). The mural was created by MyRWA’s artist-in-residence, Andres “NXN” Duarte, and features native animal characters playing sports with patterns that represent the local environment. “Public art has the ability to transform a space and make it feel more welcoming, vibrant and connected to the community,” said Mayor Robert J. Van Campen. “This mural is a great addition to Florence Street Park because it reflects both how our residents use this space and the natural environment around us. I’m grateful to Andres and the Mystic River Watershed Association for bringing this project to Everett and creating something our community can enjoy for years to come.” “I wanted to create something that represents the park and the activities that people do there and connect it to nature and the ecosystems around us,” says Duarte. “The animals are all different, just like we are all different, but they are all part of the same community.” Duarte is a Boston-based artROUNDTABLE | FROM PAGE 1 ett Square this summer — held every other week with the goal of moving to a weekly schedule next year. The city ensured that all vendors at the market accept EBT, making fresh, local produce more accessible to residents using public food assistance. The Mayor also noted that the city’s Food Policy Council, which identifies barriers to healthy food access and develops recommendations for local food policy, will soon present its findings to the City Council. “Events like this are important because they bring together the people working at every level to improve access to fresh, healthy food,” said Mayor Van Campen. “Here in Everett, we’re doing our part through our farmers markets, Community Fridge and partnerships with local organizations, while looking for new opportunities to expand urban agriculture and community gardening. I’m proud to see Everett be part of this larger effort to build Pictured from left: Senior Transportation Planner Eric Molinari, DPW Director Bob Knox, Ward 1 City Councilor Michelle Capone, artist Andres “NXN” Duarte with his children, and Mystic River Watershed Association Communications Manager Isaiah Johnson. ist born in Bogota, Colombia. He considers himself a tactical urbanist and loves using art to enliven city spaces and change people’s relationship with public space. Since 2025 he has served as the first-ever Mystic River Artist in Residence. The Mystic River Artist in Residence Program is grounded in the belief that creative projects offer unique opportunities to help people connect with and learn about the natural world, making outdoor spaces more accessible and welcoming, and empowering communities to work together to protect and restore the natural resources around us. It is part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s inaugural Artist-In-Residence Program, which supports a broad range of local artists and culture bearers in six geographic areas within National Estuary Program and Urban Waters Federal Partnership locations, including the Mystic River Watershed Urban Waters Federal Partnership & Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership. Artist Andres “NXN” Duarte, shown with his family, stands in front of his completed work mural with Mayor Robert Van Campen. Attendees listened during the Urban Agriculture Roundtable event at the Tremont Street Community Garden. healthier, more accessible food systems across Massachusetts.” ECG’s Director of Programs, Rebecca Kelley, discussed the organization’s roots in Everett, tracing its growth from the city’s first community garden on Florence Street in 2012 through the farm next to the Northern Strand Community Trail, a youth agricultural training program and Broadway Farm, which has supplied produce to Everett Public Schools and local families. The Tremont Street garden itself grew out of a resident-led effort to turn an underused municipal lot into growing space. Commissioner Randle spoke to the role urban agriculture plays in building community and expanding access to food that reflects the cultural traditions of Massachusetts’ diverse population, and Congresswoman Pressley praised Everett and municipalities like it for advancing food access and resident-driven solutions at the local level. Also present at the gathering were the following: Councillor-at-Large Katy Rogers; State Senator Sal DiDomenico; and representatives from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency; Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley spoke about urban agriculture’s place in improving food access in the Greater Boston area. Grow Boston, the City of Boston’s Office of Urban Agriculture; Massachusetts Food Sys - tem Collaborative; Urban Farming Institute, GreenRoots and other regional partners. The City of Everett remains Mayor Robert Van Campen addressed the crowd at the Tremont Street Community Garden. ECG Associate Director of Research and Evaluation Elizavette Cordero discussed ECG’s work in Everett. Massachusetts Commissioner of Agricultural Resources Ashley Randle discussed the community-building aspect of urban agriculture. committed to expanding access to fresh, local food and fostering ongoing partnerships that support community gardening and urban agriculture throughout the city.
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