Ocean City — The intersection at 20th Street and Haven Avenue is about to get a little colorful.

The Ocean City Police Department Traffic Safety Unit and Ocean City’s Community Art Projects (CAP) are inviting the public to join volunteers in painting a “traffic safety quilt” mural at 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 26.

Ocean City High School student Rachel Ballezzi designed the seashore-themed mural. This is the first of many intersections the group hopes to paint along the bike path. Three more intersections are planned for this fall.

Painting the intersection has a two-fold purpose: to beautify Ocean City through public art and to provide a traffic-calming device along the established bike path.

Sgt. Charles Simonson of the Ocean City Police Department Traffic Safety Unit said the 30-foot by 30-foot mural would cover the intersection.

“The whole idea has an impact on slowing people down. The Division of Highway Traffic Safety is excited about using art projects in slowing down traffic. They’ve done similar projects on West Coast in Portland. This is the first time art projects are actually being linked to traffic safety,” Simonson said.

CAP helped highlight the newly dedicated bike path last year by adding an original bike sculpture at Ninth Street and Haven Avenue.

Leslie Skibo, president of CAP, said in addition to CAP and the Ocean City Police Department, others assisting with the event include the city, the Ocean City High School art department, the Ocean City Fire Department and individual volunteers.

“Volunteerism is the fabric of our community and we believe bringing the community together on this project will foster a sense of community spirit and pride, while providing an artistic attribute to the city in our efforts to encourage safety along the bike path,” Skibo said.

The Thomas Heist Insurance Agency, Soltz Paint and the R.E. Darby Insurance Agency donated paint and supplies for the project.

For more information contact Skibo at (609) 391-0579. In the event of inclement weather, a make-up date will be announced through CAP’s website: www.communityartprojects.com.