In a creative new effort to remind people of the importance of a clean river, Milwaukee Riverkeeper has completed work on a new riverside mural near Schlitz Park.

The mural, a collaborative project between Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Milwaukee marketing company Thirsty Boy and local artist Linda Freund, depicts a waterslide winding around a natural water outflow that empties into the river. The project had been in the works since 2008.

Milwaukee Riverkeeper members hope the new addition to the river's landscape will help draw more attention and support to the organization's mission of restoring Milwaukee waterways.

According to Thirsty Boy founder and Milwaukee Riverkeeper board member Steve Koeneke, the mural won't be the group's only creative endeavor.

"The mural is just the beginning," he said in a statement. "We've got some pretty interesting tactics lined up to further deliver the message."

The "waterslide" will be turned on Monday, May 2 at noon.