New Westminster has won a provincial award of excellence for the creative redevelopment of 12th Street through the City's 12th Street Public Art Community Initiative.

The B.C. Recreation and Parks Association will present the City of New Westminster with the Parks and Open Spaces Award at a symposium being held today in Penticton. The association said the renovation and revitalization of 12th Street illustrates how a public art community initiative can turn a routine street improvement plan into a project that galvanizes a community and transforms an area.

"The most important thing is it came from the grassroots up. The people that were in the community did it," said Mayor Wayne Wright. "It was fantastic. The results were absolutely superb. We'd like to do it again."

As part of the beautification project that saw new sidewalks, lighting and trees placed on the street, the city and community members worked on a public art initiative for the section of upper 12th Street.

"It's impressive to see how the community has poured its energy into breathing new life into this street," said Suzanne Allard Strutt, CEO of the B.C. Recreation and Parks Association. "In addition to increasing the city's walkability, it has created an engaging and welcoming open space that showcases the culture, history and individuals that make the neighbourhood, and city, what it is."

Joanne Edey-Nicoll, the city's assistant director of parks, culture and recreation, said the city is honoured to receive the award. West End resident Mary Wilson, who approached the city about the idea of including mosaics as part of a public art project on 12th Street, is in Penticton accepting the award along with city officials.

"It was her dream and her vision at the very beginning. I think it is important to give credit where credit is due," she said. "It's a great recognition for the city, especially as we are developing more public art projects."

Edey-Nicoll said the community public art project involved the work of the parks and engineering departments, as well as residents and businesses in the 12th Street area, and the artist who designed the mosaics based on community input.

"It's awarded to the city because it is a city project," she said. "It certainly is a celebration for the community and that neighbourhood."

The city's new manager of arts and culture will be working on development of a public arts policy for the city. In addition, the city recently met with Sapperton residents and businesses to discuss public art opportunities that may exist in that neighbourhood as part of the street beautification program now underway on East Columbia Street.

Members of the parks, recreation, physical activity and culture sector from around British Columbia, including elected officials, volunteers, members of the business community and others, are meeting today for a symposium in Penticton. The Parks and Open Spaces Award is one of several awards being handed out today at the symposium.

The British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association is a not for profit organization dedicated to building and sustaining active healthy lifestyles and communities in B.C.