In celebration of Pride Month, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake installed a rainbow crosswalk Monday evening at the intersection of Niagara Stone Road and Anderson Lane and is flying the Progressive Pride Flag at Town Hall. At the July 25, 2022, Council Meeting, Town Council approved the locations of one rainbow crosswalk and five rainbow benches in Niagara-on-the-Lake. A public engagement survey, open from June 1 to June 15, 2022, allowed for community feedback about the proposed locations and informed Council’s decision. The Town utilized the same Progressive Pride design as the Niagara Region to promote the continuity of rainbow crosswalks throughout Niagara. The design consists of the traditional rainbow flag with the addition of black, brown, light blue, pink and white stripes. The light blue, pink and white represent trans and non-binary individuals, and the black and brown represent marginalized people of colour. So far, one rainbow bench has been installed at Centennial Park in Virgil. The other locations where benches will be installed are Mary and King Street (Old Town), Niagara on the Green Park (Glendale), Sparky’s Park (St. Davids) and Queenston Firehall (Queenston).
Fundraising efforts led by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee will help offset the costs of the crosswalk initiative and the installation of the rainbow benches.
