This week, Newcastle City Council opened the Islington Rainbow Walk, a 25-metre-long, rainbow-themed walk on a stretch of pathway in Islington Park near Throsby Creek.
The walk, which is a striking visual celebration of Newcastle as an inclusive and caring community, acknowledges the area’s historical association with the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, trans-gender, intersex and queer community.
The latest piece of public art took a week to complete and was installed as part of recent pathway upgrades in the park.
“Newcastle is a city that embraces diversity and is inclusive of people from different cultures, religions, countries and ways of life,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“We value our lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, trans-gender, intersex and queer community (LGBTIQ) community.
“This walk brings vibrant colour to our city and is a symbol of our commitment to inclusion and equality.
“I am thrilled to be able to officially open the rainbow walk, which can be shared and enjoyed by all members of the community.”
Newcastle City Council approved Islington Park as the site for a rainbow crossing in June 2016.
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The rainbow walk consists of six colour bands which are universally acknowledged as the symbol for the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, trans-gender, intersex and queer community.
Each band has its own significance.
Red is symbolic of life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for serenity with nature, indigo/blue for serenity and harmony, and violet for spirit.
Recent work in Islington Park included realignment of pathways and construction of a three-metre wide shared concrete path connecting the Throsby Creek pathway with Hubbard Street traffic signals at Maitland Road.
