City paints over tunnel after finding large, vulgar graffiti
The City of Hamilton has repainted the pink‑walled tunnel at Shamrock Park in the Corktown neighbourhood after staff discovered what municipal officials called “highly visible and large, vulgar graffiti.” The tunnel, which runs beneath a CP Rail track and gained fame as a filming location featured in the Crave Original series Heated Rivalry, had been covered with messages and drawings left by fans and residents.
A city spokesperson told CP24 that, after an investigation, park crews determined a full repaint was the best way to restore the space and ensure it “remains welcoming for all park users.” The tunnel was originally created as an anti‑bullying initiative and was intended as “a place for positive community expression and messages of kindness,” the spokesperson said.
Despite the cover‑up, the site’s popularity appears undiminished. When reporters visited the tunnel shortly after it was repainted this week, people were already adding new messages, including quotations from the show and personal notes.
“The city recognizes that the pink tunnel has become a meaningful landmark for many residents and visitors,” the statement read.
From anti‑bullying initiative to TV landmark
The tunnel’s profile rose after being used as a location in the fifth episode of Heated Rivalry, where it represented a site in the show’s setting. That exposure turned a local community project into a destination for fans, who began to leave markers, signatures and show quotes on the pink walls.
Local visitors have continued to treat the tunnel as a place for conversation and commemoration. The author of the book on which the series is based, Rachel Reid, visited the tunnel last month and wrote a message on the wall.
City intent: preserve inclusivity, discourage vandalism
City parks staff said the decision to repaint was prompted by the extent and nature of the graffiti. Officials did not provide a detailed inventory of the markings but described them as vulgar and widespread enough that spot cleaning would not have been sufficient.
In its statement, the city acknowledged the special significance residents have attached to the feature and pledged to keep it “inclusive and welcoming” for everyone. The move reflects the tension municipal staff face in balancing support for grassroots expression with the obligation to maintain public spaces and deter offensive vandalism.
- Location: Shamrock Park tunnel, Corktown, Hamilton
- Reason for repaint: Extensive vulgar graffiti
- Original purpose: Anti‑bullying initiative and place for positive messages
What visitors left and what they’re writing now
On site, newly written notes included a mix of playful show references and personal encouragements. Reporters observed one message that read, “I will never stop reheating my rivalry,” and another quoting a line from the series: “Yes, it’s scary but you’re brave!”
The scene speaks to the way local landmarks evolve: a small community art project became a pop‑culture waypoint and is now returning to its original function as a space for neighbourly messages — albeit under closer municipal oversight.
| Stage | Significance |
|---|---|
| Creation | Anti‑bullying initiative and community expression |
| Exposure | Featured in Heated Rivalry, became a fan destination |
| Repaint | Restored by city after vulgar graffiti; reopened for messages |
For neighbours, the event has sparked a quiet conversation about how public art should be managed and protected. Some see the repaint as a necessary step to keep the park family‑friendly; others worry that repeated overpainting may erase community authorship of the space.
As the city moves to maintain the tunnel, the latest layer of handwriting suggests Hamiltoners will keep finding ways to leave their mark — and that municipal staff will continue to be the stewards who decide when that mark crosses the line into vandalism.
