Media Release - Niagara-on-the-Lake Celebrates Pride Month with Flag Raising and Rainbow Crosswalk & Bench Locations Survey
The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake strives to be a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community for all.
A Rainbow Crosswalk & Bench Locations Survey is being issued to gain public feedback regarding the placement of one rainbow crosswalk and five rainbow benches in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The survey will be open from June 1 to June 15, 2022.
During the June 14, 2021, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee Meeting (formally the Inclusivity Committee), the Committee approved the following motion, which was subsequently approved at the June 21, 2021, Council Meeting:
“That in honour of Pride Month and support of the Town’s 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, a Progress Pride rainbow crosswalk be created in the Heritage District of Niagara-on-the-Lake in consultation with the Town’s Municipal Heritage Committee and the Niagara-onthe-Lake Chamber of Commerce, and,
That the Town consider painting a selection of existing park benches (or purchase new ones), and have one in every community, outside of the Heritage District, in Progress Pride Flag colours, and,
That the Town solicit volunteers from the community to undertake the painting of benches, but,
That the cost of benches, paint, and any other required materials be charged to the Town’s operating Parks budget in 2021, and,
That the installation of a rainbow crosswalk be forwarded to the Audit & Finance Committee for consideration in the 2022 Capital Budget, subject to location and design requirements, and,
That both initiatives be implemented as efficiently as possible.”
The Town is delighted to receive a grant through the My Main Street Community Activator Program to fund resources for the placemaking features on Queen Street, including one rainbow bench (bench and paint) to be installed in the Queen Street area. In addition, benches will be installed in the other four villages.
As directed by Council during the January 31, 2022, Council Meeting, Staff developed a public survey regarding the placement of one rainbow crosswalk and five rainbow benches. The survey questions were developed in consultation with the Town’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) Committee, and approved by Council at the Monday, May 30, 2022, Council Meeting.
In alignment with Region of Niagara’s current rainbow crosswalk installations, Niagara-on-the-Lake intends to utilize the same Progressive Pride design to promote continuity of rainbow crosswalks throughout Niagara and support diversity and inclusion for all. Staff is consulting with the Region on their bench design as well.
