Mesa’s streets have received a creative boost from the city's youngest residents. The second annual Bike to Books contest encouraged kids from preschool to high school to submit over 150 designs, transforming bike lane symbols into colorful works of art. The top designs, including dragons and desert scenes, have been installed along the Stadium Connector Shared Use Path for the public to enjoy.
According to the City of Mesa Newsroom, the grand prize went to designs featuring a fast turtle, literature-themed imagery, and a desert vista. "The public is invited to enjoy these whimsical works of art any time," Mesa Now announces, encouraging residents to take the scenic route near the Cinemark Theatre at Mesa Riverview and engage with the community’s youngest artists.
The stakes were high, with winners having their artwork displayed city-wide, while second and third-place winners received prizes from the Mesa Public Library and Mesa's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program. Each finalist also received a signed certificate from city officials. The winning artworks are now displayed along the path for bikers and walkers, creating a route that combines literacy and eco-friendly transportation.
Among the winners were Kaylee Sherman with "A Need for Speed," Trinity Ellis who gave us "Different Types of Books," and Alenna Bergen with "La Vista Desde El Desierto (The View from the Desert)," as reported by Mesa Now. To complement each piece, Mesa Public Library offers book recommendations for an enlightening literary match.
For those wanting a closer look at these children's masterpieces, the full gallery is available online, where Mesa Public Library hosts images of the winning designs.
