**Editor's note: Carolina Garibay has followed up her original reporting with new information from both the Chicago Park District and Friends of the Peace Garden. Below, is an update, followed by last week's original story.
CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - A North Side nonprofit has a little clarity as to why a piping plover mural near their garden was recently painted over.
Last week, WBBM checked in with the Friends of the Peace Garden and local artist Ashley Kennedy after her mural at the Buena Avenue pedestrian tunnel was suddenly erased. At the time, there was uncertainty as to who was responsible.
Monday, the Chicago Park District told WBBM that a permit application was not filed with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). The park district explained the process is necessary when installing art on public property. They added that security reported the mural as vandalism and painters were ordered to the tunnel.
What remains unclear however is what department within the park district is exactly responsible for the removal and who gave the initial order.
In a follow up interview, Kennedy told WBBM she was urged by Alderwoman Angela Clay to apply for an art grant with DCASE in order to get the mural repainted. Kennedy said she’s interested in filing a permit instead.
Friends of the Peace Garden said they hope to post a poster on the tunnel wall, warning future artists who want to paint their work in the tunnel. They are awaiting word from DCASE to confirm that the department will cooperate with Clay and artists.
(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A North Side artist is speaking out after her mural of a famous Chicago bird was painted over.
"I can see the eye, the white part, and its wing," said artist Ashley Kennedy.
She reminisced about what once was a mural she painted of a piping plover at the Buena Avenue pedestrian tunnel.
"I go through this every day to work. Everybody else's tunnels got beautiful art on it. Ours has been blank for years."
That's why she decided to give it a bit of life with Chicago's favorite little bird.
"I wanted it to be something special to the neighborhood," Kenned said.
But the mural's life was cut short when it was whitewashed just three weeks after Kennedy painted it.
"C’mon, who does that? What kind of person – like it's obviously not graffiti, who does that?"
Despite its short life, the mural had a big impact on locals
"I just got a huge positive response by everybody walking by, and it was just the most beautiful feeling in the world," Kennedy said.
And other Buena Park residents, like Alex, weren't happy either.
"This walkway needs some life… nice to see local artists representing the neighborhood with their art," Alex said.
A sign at the tunnel from Friends of the Peace Garden reads that the whitewashing was "an error" by the Chicago Park District.
Kennedy said neighborhood groups are even working with her to contact the 46th ward Alderwoman Angela Clay and figure out how she might be able to paint the mural for a second, and hopefully last, time.
Friday, a Chicago Park District spokesperson told WBBM that the park district was not responsible for painting over it.
In addition, the Chicago Streets and Sanitation's graffiti section has assured Friends of the Peace Garden that they did not cover the mural, explaining that they do not service pedestrian tunnels like the one on Buena Avenue.
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