So, Poulsbo gets its first bridge in some 35 years. A monumental accomplishment that brought everyone from Suquamish Tribal officials to local environmentalist together in the name of helping local salmon in their arduous journey to their spawning grounds.

The Lindvig Bridge is grand.

But looking at its dull concrete spans — we think it could be so much grander. Bottom line, the new bridge is an eyesore.

It doesn’t have to stay that way.

We propose that the city partner with the school district and the Marine Science Center and get a few of our young, talented artists out there for a painting project. Classes that are learning about salmon would be a natural fit.

Each group could take a section on the bridge’s interior (during low traffic times) and, with brush in hand, create a work of art that will become a hallmark of local pride for years to come.

It would be something that parents could show their kids and say, “See that fish with six tails and sort of looks like an underwater pig? That one’s mine.”

The bridge’s outward facing elements could be tackled by professional, volunteer painters willing to offer their time for the greater good. Maybe a few local artists from Northwest College of Art?

The cost to the city? A few dozen buckets of paint at most. Maybe even less.

The value? A renewed sense of pride in the community.So, Poulsbo gets its first bridge in some 35 years. A monumental accomplishment that brought everyone from Suquamish Tribal officials to local environmentalist together in the name of helping local salmon in their arduous journey to their spawning grounds.

The Lindvig Bridge is grand.

But looking at its dull concrete spans — we think it could be so much grander. Bottom line, the new bridge is an eyesore.

It doesn’t have to stay that way.

We propose that the city partner with the school district and the Marine Science Center and get a few of our young, talented artists out there for a painting project. Classes that are learning about salmon would be a natural fit.

Each group could take a section on the bridge’s interior (during low traffic times) and, with brush in hand, create a work of art that will become a hallmark of local pride for years to come.

It would be something that parents could show their kids and say, “See that fish with six tails and sort of looks like an underwater pig? That one’s mine.”

The bridge’s outward facing elements could be tackled by professional, volunteer painters willing to offer their time for the greater good. Maybe a few local artists from Northwest College of Art?

The cost to the city? A few dozen buckets of paint at most. Maybe even less.

The value? A renewed sense of pride in the community.