Merrell Turned Union Square Into a New Kind of Outdoor Space

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Typically, people need to leave the city to connect with nature. But at Union Square in Manhattan, Merrell is changing that by creating an outdoor experience right in the heart of New York City, encouraging people to pause and appreciate nature in a new way.

New York City is encouraging people to enjoy the outdoors with a large public art installation. Artist Shantell Martin created a massive “Get Outside” mural across Union Square’s 14th Street Busway. Painted by Colossal as part of the neighborhood’s yearly art program, the 7,500-square-foot artwork brightens a busy intersection and encourages people to pause, relax, and appreciate the city.

The large mural is the main attraction of Merrell’s event in New York City, part of a larger campaign happening in New York, London, and Paris called “Outside in the City.” Artist Martin created the artwork using bold white lines on a black background, with splashes of color and an orange line that playfully guides people as they navigate the city. This feels right at home in Union Square, a place that’s always bustling with activity – commuters, skaters, chess players, and tourists all come together. Instead of telling New Yorkers they need to escape the city to enjoy the outdoors, this project highlights the little moments of peace and connection that already exist within it.

On April 30th, a vibrant new mural was officially revealed to the public. Artist Shantell Martin spoke about how her work – a flowing, line-based design covering the busway plaza – encourages curiosity, embraces movement, and helps people rediscover their city in everyday life. To celebrate, contemporary dancers performed amongst the artwork, bringing the mural to life as pedestrians watched from one of Manhattan’s busiest areas.

Okay, so on May 7th, Merrell totally transformed Union Square into this awesome block party vibe – it felt like a real neighborhood hangout, but right in the city! It was a super chill afternoon that started with coffee and a guided walk through Madison Square Park with this great group called Latino Outdoors – they’re all about getting the Latin community connected with nature. We ended up right in the middle of the Merrell setup. The plaza was buzzing! There was a DJ spinning tunes, some incredible breakdancers doing their thing, and this massive chessboard with huge pieces that everyone was playing on. What really made it special was the local art – they had photos from New York artists showing their take on being ‘outside,’ and this huge, colorful mural painted on the pavement by Shantell Martin. It was a really cool way to bring the outdoors to the city and celebrate local culture.

The initiative is successful because it feels like a natural part of New York City life. Instead of presenting the outdoors as separate from city living, Merrell’s “Outside in the City” campaign emphasizes the existing connections to nature found throughout the five boroughs. A mural by Martin serves as the launchpad, turning a busy Manhattan intersection into a vibrant space for New Yorkers to enjoy during the spring of 2027. This energy extends beyond Union Square with community walks, events across the city, and guided hikes ranging from city streets to the Catskills – all designed to help New Yorkers reconnect with nature.

For more information, check out the official Merrell website. And if you’d like to see Martin’s artwork, you can find his mural at the Union Square Busway.

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2026-05-21 21:26