Graffiti has recently begun to appear yet again on this graffiti-prone wall. It was recently scrubbed completely clean (by the city? UMass? Park Services?)

The newest graffiti is the end of the wall farthest from Aiken St. Huge black lettering—a little quote about hospital walls vs. prison walls, or something like that. I didn't see any offensive language, but maybe it's sprung up since I last looked this morning.

Most of the wall was covered with graffiti prior to the recent cleaning, and there were quite a few sexual graphics in addition to the typical drug-related and existential rants and raves.

It would be interesting to actually catch the vandals and make them clean it up. On the one hand, I think that at least they're not doing something worse. On the other hand I think that River Walk should be a peaceful oasis in an otherwise urban area, and graffiti creates a kind of violent and desperate vibe.

On the third hand, it could be something even nicer than just a gray wall. Why not get some local artists to do something truly cool with it? Maybe a mural of street in one of Lowell's sister cities (see http://www.lowellma.gov/citycouncil/CityMayor/Pages/General/Sister-Cities.aspx)?

But I'd rather have nothing than the grunge that's about to appear once again. And if it's to be nothing, than the graffiti cleaners have to be more vigilant about removing the graffiti very shortly after it appears, or the cops have to vigilant about holding the vandals to task.