Tribute to veterans, commemorative crosswalk approved

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on September 18, 2025.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com

The city will paint a veterans crosswalk between city hall and Riverside Veterans’ Memorial Park and could potentially approve other non-standard crosswalk marking in future after councillors approved a motion during open council Monday.

The commemorative crosswalk will be in a similar design as other communities who have painted sidewalks, likely using red and white stripes, a soldier silhouette and the phrase “Lest We Forget.”

The motion, approved by council, also asks city staff to develop a non-standard crosswalk pavement marking policy that future councillors will be able to debate and vote on by the end of the first quarter of 2026.

“I am very happy to support this,” said Mayor Linnsie Clark, and the support was also echoed among councillors.

“This is easy for me to support and I’m certain the rest of us will,” said Coun. Robert Dumanowski, who spoke about the importance of the preservation of the crosswalk that pays tribute to our fallen heroes.

“There are times where we have crosswalks in the city that are worn … This would stand out as a form of, in my opinion, disrespect, if we ever let it get to that stage. So I would like to ensure that it is maintained with high respect and visibility.”

Costs associated with the painting and upkeep of the commemorative crosswalk will be covered by the city for the first year, however in the future there is a possibility local businesses could sponsor the upkeep of the crosswalk.

Clark also suggested future funding to maintenance the veterans crosswalk as well as new crosswalks could potentially come from the public arts committee or through the community vibrancy grant program

“I would encourage us to consider the use of the community vibrancy board or some type of public art committee,” she said.

The motion was passed unanimously.

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