Jonathan Hartman teaches art at the Underwood Public School and lives in Battle Lake. He spearheaded the paint-the-pavement initiative and recounts the development of what is now known as Art Alley.

Art Alley had its beginnings in 2014 when the city closed the alley to traffic as part of the reconstruction of Lake Avenue/Highway 78. It quickly became a shortcut for people walking from parking to downtown businesses on Lake Avenue.

But the old, tired alley was badly in need of attention. The city took up the cracked, weedy pavement and put down fresh asphalt— better but boring.

The Battle Lake Art Advisory Committee seized the opportunity. But what to do with 100 feet of black asphalt? We decided to create outlines like a coloring book for kids to chalk and to make it look like a stream. Forty-five people of different ages showed up over a couple of days to help paint the outlines of fish, turtles, and other lake creatures on the asphalt. We called it Art Stream.

Before long, a local scout asked if he could build planter boxes as his Eagle Scout project; then a landscaping company helped with river rocks; the Lions donated overhead lights; a young artist painted the turtle and the birch trees. Gradually, what had begun as Art Stream became Art Alley.

And so, we formally named the alley –can you read the embedded-letter Zentangle? Forty people created it in 2024 as a community art project.

The most recent addition to the alley is the benches. My son, Cadence, created them. Inspired by my use of leftover concrete from a couple home projects, he envisioned creating benches for his Eagle scout project. After learning to design and build the forms, he led the construction of the benches out of leftover concrete that came from the two churches and Christian camp that shaped his faith. Each bench carries a piece of the places and communities that supported his journey. After his sudden passing in a car accident December 2024, these remain a lasting legacy-symbol of his faith and the lives he touched. Cadence’s spirit and rhythm continue to inspire all who visit this special place.

The city’s Art Advisory Committee maintains Art Alley, plants flowers, and is ever ready to host kids’ chalking events.