Tourism Kamloops Unveils New Crosswalks on YEW Street Reflecting Community Collaboration
The artwork, which was inspired by the community, marks the first activation in an initiative to create engaging spaces to drive residents and visitors to further explore Kamloops.
Kamloops, British Columbia, June 16, 2023 – Tourism Kamloops has unveiled the completion of three temporary crosswalks on YEW Street capturing the neighborhood’s energy and diversity.
Over 100 Kamloopsians completed a survey and shared their views on what the YEW Street and the surrounding area means to them. Diverse, eclectic, vibrant and cool were the keywords selected to represent the area. In-House Graphic Artist, Rachel Lewis, took the feedback and created an eclectic piece of street art inspired by the neighborhood.
The crosswalk initiative, a collaborative effort by Tourism Kamloops and its partners, aims to inspire and create inviting spaces for both residents and visitors to enjoy. By creating a sense of place, Tourism Kamloops hopes these crosswalks will enhance the streetscape and encourage exploration and connection within the community.
“We’re thrilled to see this wonderful collaboration come to life,” said Monica Dickinson, CEO of Tourism Kamloops. “The community’s involvement in selecting the colors and designs has resulted in crosswalks that represent the spirit of the North Shore. We believe they will add vibrancy to the area and inspire people to discover the many attractions our city offers.”
The completion of the YEW Street crosswalk project reflects Tourism Kamloops’ commitment to fostering collaboration and inclusivity. This initiative marks the beginning of a series of projects aimed at creating memorable experiences for both locals and visitors.
The vision of pocket communities is one that has been brought to life in cities across North America, from Portland to Calgary. The Destination Development team at Tourism Kamloops, in collaboration with the City of Kamloops, the North Shore Business Improvement Association, sponsor ARPA Investments, and amazing community leaders, are thrilled to be bringing this concept to Kamloops.
“The new mural in the YEW Street symbolizes our commitment to fostering bold community spaces,” said Nic Zdunich, Manager, Destination Development. “Through collaboration with local residents and partners, we have brought a North Shore landmark to life while celebrating the people and culture of Kamloops. I can’t wait to see both residents and visitors use the space to explore, connect, and experience the dynamic pulse of our city.”
Joshua Knaak, Partner at ARPA Investments, “Great creativity and initiative by the team at Tourism Kamloops to identify this area, and to design something that brings colour, vibrancy and community to YEW Street”
“We are thrilled to have strong partners supporting and contributing to our neighbourhoods revitalization,” says Jeremy Heighton, Executive Director of the NSBIA, “ This crosswalk is symbolic of the energy we all feel on the North shore and the positive future we are working toward.”
This North Shore landmark is already a high-traffic area that is quickly becoming a culinary and artistic hub. By animating spaces like the YEW Street, the team hopes to create engaging and exciting activations that drive both residents and visitors to spend time in the area, explore new neighbourhoods and businesses, and experience another side of Kamloops.