Airdrie Pride Society’s (APS) rainbow pathway in Nose Creek Regional Park will become an enduring symbol of inclusion in the community.
At a regular meeting July 6, Airdrie City council unanimously voted to make the pathway a permanent fixture at its current location. The decision came after the pathway was vandalized twice in recent weeks – once during the June 20-21 weekend, when homophobic slurs were painted on the pathway, and again less than a week later, when it was tarred and feathered June 26.
“I think this is a beautiful spot for this legacy in our park,” Mayor Peter Brown said, adding he was “disgusted and dismayed” to see the fixture vandalized.
“[The path is] a legacy of inclusion and, obviously, respect for all. We’re not going to allow the few thugs…push us around,” he said
Following both incidences of vandalism, members of the public rallied together to repaint the pathway.
According to APS President Kiersten Mohr, the rainbow pathway was painted in June 2019, in anticipation of Airdrie's inaugural Pride festival. While the initial plan was to paint a crosswalk on Main Street near downtown, ongoing construction on that road led to it being painted in the park instead.
According to Mohr, the alternative location has proven to be beneficial.
“What has happened throughout the year is that everyone loves having it in the park because it’s so interactive,” she said. “We were excited to see, all year long, local businesses shooting promotional photos and stuff like that in the park by the rainbow path. Between [APS] and the City, we realized it worked out really well to have it in Nose Creek Park.”
During the meeting, each of the councillors denounced the recent vandalism.
“It's not something we will tolerate and I was really happy to see this motion come forward – I will absolutely support it,” Coun. Candice Kolson said.
Coun. Al Jones echoed the sentiment, saying the pathway “speaks on behalf of all Airdrie residents.”
Mohr added council’s decision to keep the rainbow pathway is an important statement for the City to make.
“The Pride flag and the Pride colours are really a symbol for inclusivity – that everyone is welcome,” she said. “I think with [APS], we work with and support a lot of people in the city who may not feel like they are included.
“I think that statement that rainbow path right in the middle of the city makes…is a really important symbol of solidarity and inclusion in Airdrie for everyone. That’s been the message all along – that Airdrie is a place for everybody. At the end of the day, that’s why it’s important it stays there.”
According to Brown, the Airdrie RCMP detachment will be coming to City council in the future with recommendations about setting up better surveillance cameras in that area, to deter future vandalism.
Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
