In-Progress

Getting to Green: Routes to Roots

A multidisciplinary public art project, encouraging residents to use public transit to access green spaces in Philadelphia

Artwork by Shira Walinsky.

  • location

    Citywide

  • Neighborhood

    Citywide

  • completion date

    June 30, 2026

About the Project 

Getting to Green: Routes to Roots is a multi-disciplinary public art project in Philadelphia that encourages residents to explore the city’s green spaces through public transit, promoting the discovery and rediscovery of these areas along how to access them. The artist team of Shira Walinsky and Laura Deutch is guiding this initiative, creatively forging connections between urban dwellers and the city’s natural gems. Walinsky’s unique visual artworks are used to inspire and activate riders, including a captivating bus wrap, eye-catching posters in bus shelters, and hand-drawn printed maps. Two chartered bus rides and four smaller trips constituted adventures on the 38, 64, 7, and 9 bus routes. Deutch’s video profiles document the experiences of diverse riders along the routes in tandem with Walinsky’s visuals as a backdrop to these compelling narratives.

Getting to Green stands as a testament to the seamless integration of art, transit, and nature, inviting residents to embark on a transformative journey by leaving their cars at home in lieu of taking “routes to roots” to Philadelphia’s vibrant green spaces.

Get inspired! View featured artwork: 

  • Getting to Green-Routes to Roots © 2023 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Laura Deutch & Shira Walinsky. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Getting to Green-Routes to Roots © 2023 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Laura Deutch & Shira Walinsky. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Getting to Green design by Shira Walinsky.

Bus shelter posters 

  • Bus shelter poster design by Shira Walinsky.

  • Bus shelter poster design by Shira Walinsky.

Get engaged! View project highlights to learn about the innovative ways Getting to Green is using art to engage riders 

For over two months, SEPTA’s ‘special wrapped bus’ featured Shira Walinsky’s Getting to Green design on Route 7, promoting public transit as a means to access green spaces. The bus served as a focal point for coordinated excursions along the “river to river” route, complemented by posters in selected bus shelters that enhanced opportunities for riders to explore inspiring journeys into the city’s green spaces.

Mini-Guides 

Activity Sheet: Delaware Riverfront (PDF)
Route 9 Map Zine (PDF)
Route 38 Map Zine (PDF)
Route 7 Lemon Hill Ride (PDF)

RIDING ROUTE 7 > “Lemon Hill” 

  • Exciting moments at the Getting to Green public launch and Route 7 bus wrap unveiling! Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Aboard the wrapped bus, Getting to Green organizes coordinated excursions with community partners traveling from 4th & Oregon in South Philly to 29th & Pennsylvania Ave for access to Lemon Hill. Photo by Shira Walinsky.

  • Community members are joined by the Fairmount Park Conservancy for an overview of Lemon Hill history and trails. Photo by Robb Konczyk.

  • Migrant Education celebrates after a day of picnicking and walking trails at Lemon Hill Photo by Shira Walinsky.

RIDING ROUTE 38 > “Centennial District” 

Lady Danni leads a nature-filled adventure through the botanical wonders of the Centennial District. Photo by Laura Deutch.

RIDING ROUTES > “Delaware Riverfront” 

“Eric The Puzzler” shares a curated Activity guide crafted for Getting to Green for a DIY walking tour of sites along the Delaware Riverfront. Photo by Troy Bynum.

Bus Stop Stories! Producer: Laura Deutch 

 
 
 
 

Follow us on Instagram 

Follow us on Instagram @gettingtogreen.phl to learn more about public events, artwork and videos happening throughout the project! For up to date events, resources and highlighted routes check out our Linktr.ee

Follow us @gettingtogreen.phl to see more

Project Manager: Cindy Burstein | gettingtogreen@muralarts.org

Partner 

Southeastern Transportation Authority (SEPTA)

Funder 

Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC)