At its January 13 meeting, the Leesburg Town Council voted to keep the Pride Crosswalk on Harrison Street—right where it crosses the W&OD Trail—as a long-term fixture in town.
What started as a temporary display last May is now here to stay, after support from several local nonprofits and a broader discussion about how the town handles painted crosswalks. The vote came after Equality Loudoun, PFLAG Ashburn/Loudoun, and Cheerful Spaces formally asked the council to make the colorful display permanent.
The crosswalk was first installed in May 2025 by Equality Loudoun, using their own funds. At that time, the Council approved a 90-day period for the installation. In September, the town created a new Painted Crosswalk Policy, which extended that timeframe to 120 days for any such display. That policy was applied retroactively to the Pride Crosswalk.
Now, with this latest vote, Leesburg is not only letting the rainbow-colored stripes stay for the long haul, but the Council also agreed to update the Townwide Painted Crosswalk Policy. That update will create a clear process for anyone looking to request a permanent painted crosswalk.
One key detail: the nonprofits behind these kinds of crosswalks must cover the costs and labor for installation and upkeep. Each proposal must also be approved by the Council and formalized in a memorandum reviewed by both the Town Manager and Town Attorney.
This move marks a step forward in ongoing conversations about public art, inclusion, and community identity in Leesburg. For more on the crosswalk policy, visit www.leesburgva.gov/awarenessdisplays.
