The murals of River Forest recently received a rehabilitating facelift.

Many Oak Park and River Forest residents are aware of the murals found under the train tracks throughout both villages. Along Central Avenue between Park and Keystone avenues in River Forest are 14 painted portraits of famous citizens, including candy manufacturer Franklin Mars, Kool-Aid inventor Edwin Perkins and radio producers Paul and “Angel” Harvey.

The murals were started in 2012 and have been built on every summer since by children of The Little Bits Workshop on 411 Park Ave. The murals remain an essential part of River Forest’s history and aid viewers in learning the legacy of River Forest citizens.

However, as with all works of art, the murals were bound to fade and lose their initial appeal. Liita Forsyth owns and operates The Little Bits Workshop, which initiated the murals and funded and staffed the restoration. “The original mission was to honor those who have made great contributions to our community and beyond,” Forsyth said. “Many people may not know that these folks have made such a significant mark in the world, not just locally but for some internationally.” Forsyth hopes the restoration project will spark honor and knowledge of local history.

According to Anna Kuschel of the Wednesday Journal, River Forest artists Paul Zipperich, a Chicagoland firefighter, and his wife, Julie Zipperich, assisted in the restoration process. The couple worked on the portrait murals and the Keystone Mural, a scene with trees and flowers dedicated to River Forest citizen Kathleen Kurrle, who died of cancer.

The Zipperich’s began their work in the summer of 2022 and alongside 80 others finished the Keystone Mural in September of 2022. The Village of River Forest contributed more than $200 for supplies.

The impact of these murals has reached many citizens of River Forest. Haley Sarsany, a sophomore at Oak Park and River Forest High School, has lived in River Forest for all of her life. She recalled, “I remember walking past [the murals] a lot when I was younger. It was really cool to see the famous people who once lived in the same area as me.”

Kerala Smith, also a sophomore at OPRF, moved to River Forest in 2014 but shared the same enthusiasm for the history behind the murals. “I’m really happy they started restoring them. People deserve to see the key figures of River Forest. It makes their legacy even stronger,” Smith said.