In the heart of West Fort Worth’s Las Vegas Trail neighborhood, a splash of color is changing more than just a wall — it’s signaling a rebirth. Towering butterflies flutter across a sprawling mural; their wings painted with the bright hues of wildflowers, and scattered among them are the imprints of tiny hands — children and adults alike — each mark a silent promise of community and care. 

This is no ordinary mural — it’s a warm, vibrant welcome to the new 40,000-square-foot neighborhood health center, where local families can finally access pediatric care, nutritious food, job training, and more without ever leaving their corner of town.  

For decades, the Las Vegas Trail area bore the scars of lost opportunity. Once a bustling enclave buoyed by the presence of Carswell Air Force Base, the neighborhood spiraled into economic hardship after the base closed in 1993. Jobs vanished, families struggled, and vital services became a distant dream. 

Now, the tides are turning — one brushstroke at a time. 

It was on a sunny Saturday that the community gathered, paintbrushes in hand, to bring the mural to life. Children chased each other around the freshly primed walls, their laughter mingling with the rhythmic slaps of paint rollers. Among them was Fort Worth City Councilmember Michael D. Crain, whose District 3 encompasses this section of the city. He dipped his brush into a pool of cerulean, blue, explaining why he joined the effort. 

“This mural represents concern and care for the most vulnerable,” Crain said, “There are about 20,000 kids here who deserve easy access to health care and support. Now they have that right here.” 

Cook Children’s Health Care System leads the charge, offering pediatric services alongside partners like JPS Health Network, Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, and Tarrant County College. The center’s mission is clear: to stitch together health, education, and community support in a way that’s accessible and welcoming. 

Jill Koss, director of Cook Children’s Family Support Services, helped shepherd the mural’s design. She said early conversations with local children shaped the vibrant scene — bright colors, butterflies, flowers — images that celebrate the joy of playing outside and the promise of growth. Some painters strayed from the plan, adding whimsical polka dots, a mischievous cat, and the exuberant declaration: “best day!” 

Artist Calina “Cal” Mishay Mejia sketched the outlines, but it was the neighborhood that filled in the soul. The mural’s swirling landscape is punctuated by words like “lovely,” “strong,” “chosen,” and “unique” — affirmations meant to echo the resilience of the people who call LVT home, according to the City’s website.  

The health center sits on a 3.7-acre campus at Calmont Avenue and Cherry Lane, a strategic location that replaces the former Westside YMCA Rise Community Center’s role as a neighborhood anchor. This collaboration between city agencies, nonprofits, and healthcare providers aims to eliminate barriers — particularly transportation — that once prevented residents from accessing vital resources. 

Councilmember Crain summed it up best: “This health center is a game changer. Folks no longer have to travel miles to get care. They can come here, where their community is.”