An underpass on Leigh Avenue adjacent to Los Gatos Creek just got a fresh coat of color in the form of a mural.

The South Bay Clean Creeks Coalition partnered with local artists and other community members to paint a large nature-inspired mural underneath the bridge next to Blackford Elementary School over the past couple of weeks. The mural, measuring an estimated 25 feet high and 75 to 80 feet wide, was unveiled last Saturday.

Animals known to inhabit the creek, such as beavers and chinook salmon, are depicted swimming in the mural, which was painted in a graphic style with slight blending near the waterline “to give some wow factor,” said artist Paul J. Gonzalez, who has painted a number of art boxes and murals at various San Jose sites, including Olinder Elementary School.

Gonzalez said the project is meant to accentuate the area and draw attention to the coalition’s efforts to revive the native animal populations in the creek with regular cleanups.

“We’re trying to create an awareness of the importance of local creeks, whether it’s changing our habits or helping in cleanups and beautification,” he said.

That awareness has also helped generate more public interest in supporting the group’s cause.

“It’s created a dialogue about what’s happening here,” he added. “If you get more volunteers, that’s cost saving. All of these volunteers really do make a difference.”

Flooding during spring was a “project stopper, so that delayed everything,” coalition co-founder Steve Holmes said. The flooding also caused the water to change course, which made it challenging to reach some areas of the wall while painting.

“It’s a little slippery, so we don’t have much space to work in, but we’re glad we waited,” Holmes said, explaining they had dry areas nearby to mix paint.

Photos were taken at the end of each day to make sure everything was painted to scale. Each color was also painted on three times for saturation and longevity before anti-graffiti coating was layered on top. Security cameras were installed to deter would-be vandals.

A local business donated the scaffolding, and funding came from several sources including the District 6 council office and grants. Gonzalez said he worked about nine hours a day at reduced rates to help make the project happen.

Holmes said he hopes the mural is the start of a new life for that part of the creek, which had previously been overtaken by a homeless encampment.

“We’ve been able to hold the people from coming back in,” he said. “This is the next progression, getting the artists in…and add to the beauty of the area.”