The most damaged portion of the Stan Clarke Park mosaic was removed last month and replaced with concrete due to safety concerns, according to the District.
The centre portion of the mosaic, where people walk, was the most damaged, according to District spokesperson Christina Moore.
The mural was created in 1998, and when it was originally installed there was no walkway through Stan Clarke Park. Since the walkway was integrated, wear-and-tear from foot traffic and snow-clearing has increased.
“We looked at all possible ways to preserve the mosaic, recognizing the deep community connection it has to residents and local organizations,” said Cathryn Atkinson, a mosaic artist and member of the Public Art Committee, in an emailed statement.
“Safety concerns however have driven the decision, and we hope to be able to preserve many sections in other ways,” she said.
In December, Mayor Patricia Heintzman said the art committee was hoping to relocate the mural, so it could be preserved.
The centre portion could not be salvaged and was replaced with new concrete in May.
The mural was originally created by 15 students and includes sections that were sponsored by different businesses, organizations and families, depicting life in Squamish.
Thousands of small ceramic tiles were used to create mountains, animals, climbers and local scenes.
