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City of Burlington Announces Locations for 3 New Rainbow Crosswalks in 2021

Burlington Rainbow Crosswalk

The City of Burlington has announced the locations for the 3 new rainbow crosswalks to be installed later this year. They will be at:

  • Upper Middle Road at M.M. Robinson school entrance
  • Fairview Street and Drury Lane
  • Plains Road West and Botanical Drive

Council approved up to $50,000 from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund for the installation of the first three rainbow crosswalks in 2021. In a memo to Council, staff noted that the current estimated costs for installing the 3 rainbow crosswalks is $40,000. This estimate is based on approximately $13,000 per crosswalk and additional minor expenses related to the removal of existing markings.

Burlington Council will consider 3 additional crosswalks during the upcoming 2022 Budget discussions that, if approved, could be installed by the end of next year.

Please see below the full news release issued by the City of Burlington.

Burlington, Ont.— Aug. 11, 2021 — At the June 22, 2021 Burlington City Council meeting, council voted to fund three more rainbow crosswalks this year. They will also consider installing three more rainbow crosswalks during the 2022 budget, and the potential for additional crosswalks in 2023. Council requested more information to launch a rainbow bench and street flag program by the end of this year as well.

This May, over 4000 individuals completed a Rainbow Crosswalk Survey to let City staff know they were in favour of more rainbow crosswalks throughout Burlington in support of Burlington’s 2SLGBTQIA+ (TwoSpirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual) Community. As result of the survey, the City will implement six additional Pride rainbow crosswalks, using pre-established criteria, by the end of 2022, based on input from the community survey.

Pride Rainbow Crosswalks

Council has approved up to $50,000 from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund for the installation of the first three rainbow crosswalks in 2021. The survey asked the community to choose their top six locations from a list developed in consultation with council members and members of the former rainbow crosswalk team.  City staff reviewed the six locations and have determined that the following 3 locations will be implemented by the end of 2021:

  • Upper Middle Road at M.M. Robinson school entrance
  • Fairview Street and Drury Lane
  • Plains Road West and Botanical Drive

Pride Rainbow Benches

The Councillor Bench Program will be considered for Pride rainbow themed benches this year as well. Staff are expected to present options this fall. This program could potentially allow for one bench per ward in a location chosen by the ward councillor.

Pride Rainbow Banners

The Street Banner Program will also be looked at to include Pride rainbow themed banners along major streets in Burlington. Staff have been asked to report back to council on options, locations, cost and funding source.

The City of Burlington installed its first rainbow crosswalk last summer on Lakeshore Road at the base of Burlington Avenue.

These rainbow crosswalks, benches and banners will be important features and key landmarks geographically and socially for the city.

MAYOR MEED WARD’S TAKE:

We’ve heard directly from you how important it is to show visible signs of support and inclusion to our 2SLGBTQIA+ community. With three crosswalks coming this year, and consideration for three more next year as part of our 2022 budget, we can provide at least one in every Ward, to spread the message of inclusion across our city.

I’d like to thank the more than 4,200 people who took time to complete our survey, and those who reached out to my office by email and social media, supporting these crosswalks and selecting your top six preferred locations — many of which are around schools. Through this process, we’ve learned it’s extremely important to show a strong level of support for young people who may be struggling. You told us that a visual display of support from your City and your Council near your school goes a long way. We listened!

RELATED LINKS:

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*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor’s Media and Digital Communications Specialist

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1 thought on “City of Burlington Announces Locations for 3 New Rainbow Crosswalks in 2021”

  1. Tim Salisbury

    Why is the bench location at the decision of the ward council member – does not the opinion in the ward count – seems pretty discretionary and not democratic

    Reply

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John Bkila

John Bkila

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Email:  mayor@burlington.ca