In a vivid return to form, Dallas’ famed rainbow crosswalks along Cedar Springs Road are receiving a colorful revival just in time for Pride Month. Once bold symbols of LGBTQ pride and community identity, these crosswalks had lost their luster under years of traffic and time. Now, backed by $45,000 in donations, the city and LGBTQ leaders are restoring their vibrant stripes. This upgrade, both visual and symbolic, marks a fresh chapter in the Oak Lawn district’s cultural streetscape, blending civic design with a splash of spirited celebration.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• What’s Happening: Dallas is restoring its rainbow crosswalks on Cedar Springs Road during Pride Month

• Where: Oak Lawn neighborhood, a key LGBTQ district in Dallas

• Why: Original crosswalks installed in 2020 have faded due to weather and traffic

• Funding: $45,000 raised through private donations and pledges

• First Phase: Four crosswalks at Cedar Springs & Throckmorton are being redone

• Future Plans: Remaining crosswalks to be completed based on weather and city schedule

• Symbolic Purpose: Crosswalks reflect LGBTQ pride, identity, and neighborhood vibrancy

• City Role: Part of a citywide initiative to brand cultural districts through public art

The well-known rainbow crosswalks that stretch across Cedar Springs Road in Dallas are getting a long-awaited makeover this Pride Month, restoring not only their iconic colors but also the spirit they represent in one of the city’s most historically significant LGBTQ neighborhoods.

Located in the heart of the Oak Lawn area, these vibrant stripes have been more than just a road feature—they’ve been a symbol of visibility, unity, and pride. First unveiled in February 2020, the crosswalks were installed as part of The Crosswalk Project, a privately funded initiative aligned with the City of Dallas’ broader goal to visually define the cultural and business districts that surround its Central Business District (CBD). Each neighborhood in this vision would be marked by distinctively designed crosswalks, and for Oak Lawn, the rainbow stripes became an unmistakable representation of LGBTQ identity.

Over time, however, the symbolism began to fade—quite literally. After standing up to four years of sun, rain, and relentless traffic, the once-vivid rainbow colors dulled significantly. The return to regular city life following the pandemic only accelerated the wear and tear. Residents and frequent visitors to the area began to notice the deterioration and voiced concern about the upkeep of what had become a much-loved neighborhood feature.

The North Texas LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, which had worked closely with the city during the crosswalks’ initial development, recognized the need for intervention.

“This will cover the cost to remove the old, busted-up crosswalks, prep the surfaces, and replace them with the new design,”
— Tony Vedda, President, North Texas LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce

Through community engagement, the Chamber managed to raise $45,000 in donations and pledges—enough to breathe life back into the project and give the crosswalks a second chance to shine.

Vedda confirmed that the first phase of the restoration has already begun, with the crosswalks at Cedar Springs Road and Throckmorton Street being the first to receive the refresh. This intersection holds both symbolic and practical significance, being among the busiest in the area and frequently used by locals and visitors alike.

“The four crosswalks at Cedar Springs and Throckmorton were selected for the initial work because they are the most visible and the most worn,”
— Tony Vedda

Though no fixed schedule has been announced for the remaining six crosswalks, Vedda emphasized that work will continue in phases, coordinated closely with city departments to minimize disruptions. Weather, construction logistics, and traffic patterns will all be factored into the timeline.

“We’ll be working with the city to schedule the remaining crosswalks. The work will depend on their availability and of course, the weather,”
— Tony Vedda

The project, while visual in nature, holds a deeper meaning for the Oak Lawn community. The rainbow crosswalks are more than decorative—they are physical representations of an inclusive culture, a reminder of the community’s journey, and a declaration that LGBTQ voices remain visible in public life.

The City of Dallas has continued to support streetscape improvements in Oak Lawn as part of its urban planning strategy. By including private-public collaborations such as The Crosswalk Project, the city hopes to create spaces that are not only functional but also expressive of the people who live and thrive there.

The chamber’s website described the broader purpose of the initiative:

“The Crosswalk Project is a privately funded component of City of Dallas streetscape improvements underway in the Oak Lawn area. The project was designed to enhance the vibrancy and attractiveness of the area as a part of Dallas’ overall plan to brand and promote the various cultural and business districts/neighborhoods around the Central Business District (CBD) through distinctive design of key crosswalks in each area.”

As the fresh layers of color are painted on and the streets begin to reflect their full rainbow glow once more, the message is clear: Oak Lawn’s pride isn’t fading—it’s being renewed, one stripe at a time.

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