HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS 11-25Report to
Executive Committee
Report Number: CS 11-25
Date: June 9, 2025
From: Laura Gibbs
Director, Community Services
Subject: Lest We Forget Remembrance Crosswalks Update
File: A-1440-001
Recommendation:
1. That Report CS 11-25 regarding Lest We Forget Remembrance Crosswalks Update be
received for information.
Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update on
the selection of the public art designs of two “Lest We Forget” remembrance crosswalks. As
per Resolution #616/24, Council directed City staff to consult with the Royal Canadian Legion
Branches #606 and #483 on the suitability and design for the installation of two “Lest We
Forget” crosswalks, funded from the Public Art Reserve, and that staff report back to Council
by the end of Q2 2025 on the most suitable locations and design, to facilitate installation in
time for Remembrance Day 2025. The designs for each location were completed by artists
Verna - Jia Lin & Alex Vongsavath of Paintint Inc. (Attachment 1).
Relationship to the Pickering Strategic Plan: The recommendations in this report respond
to the Pickering Strategic Plan Priority of Advocate for an Inclusive, Welcoming, Safe &
Healthy Community.
Financial Implications: The Public Art Project - Commemorative Crosswalks is reflected in
the 2025 Current Budget (Cultural Services 10207), to be funded from the Public Art Reserve
in the amount of $33,000.00.
Discussion: The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update on the selection
of the public art designs of two “Lest We Forget” remembrance crosswalks.
As per Resolution #616/24, Council directed that City staff consult with the Royal Canadian
Legion Branches #606 and #483 on the suitability and design to be used for the installation of
two “Lest We Forget” crosswalks, funded from the Public Art Reserve, and that staff report
back to Council by the end of Q2 2025 on the most suitable locations and design, to facilitate
installation in time for Remembrance Day 2025.
CS 11-25 June 9, 2025
Subject: Lest We Forget Remembrance Crosswalks Update Page 2
1. Staff have consulted with Legion Branches #606 and #483
Staff met in person and over the phone multiple times with representatives of Legion Branch
#606 and #483 through December 2024 and into January 2025. Staff and Legion
representatives discussed the scope of the project and review ed the Call to Artists that w as
issued on February 3, 2025. During this time, Legion representatives shared the scope of the
project with their membership at their regular January 2025 Branch meetings. Legion
representatives noted that the Dominion Command of The Royal Canadian Legion has
registered the trademark of the Poppy image to safeguard the Poppy insignia as a symbol of
Remembrance. As such, image(s) of the poppy cannot be used in the crosswalk designs. The
Call to Artists closed on February 24, 2025 and members of both Legion branches participated
on the Public Art Jury in March, 2025 to review and vote on the successful artist.
2. The intersections of Old Brock Road & Acorn Lane, and Valley Farm Road &
Esplanade South are the recommended locations for the Crosswalks
Engineering Services Department staff recommend two suitable locations for the “Lest We
Forget” remembrance crosswalks.
The first location is adjacent to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #483 (Claremont) on Old
Brock Road and Acorn Lane (south leg of the intersection on Old Brock Road). To facilitate
installation at this site, the culvert on the east side of Old Brock Road will need to be extended
further north, the boulevard will require filling, and a concrete or asphalt path from the sidewalk
to the edge of the road will need to be constructed. Operations staff have confirmed that this
work can be completed this year, prior to installation, and using the current road maintenance
budget.
The second location is at Valley Farm Road and Esplanade South (north leg of the intersection
on Valley Farm Road). This site is preferred as this crosswalk connects Esplanade Park to the
Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, and lies along the Remembrance Day
parade route used annually by Royal Canadian Legion Branch #606. It is also the endpoint of
the recently installed public art piece, Crimson Inflorescence, which uses illuminated light posts
as poppy stems to symbolize remembrance, sacrifice, and renewal. Inspired by John McCrae’s
poem “In Flanders Fields,” the installation transforms Esplanade Park into a reflective space
that honours fallen soldiers and inspires hope for peace.
Both locations have been endorsed by representatives from Royal Canadian Legion Branches
#606 and #483, Public Art Jury, as well as staff from Roads Operations, Traffic/Engineering,
and Community Services Department.
3. Selection of artwork followed the process outlined in the Public Art Policy
As per Section 10.01 of the Public Art Policy (CUL 130), an Open Call was selected as the
Method of Acquisition (Attachment 2). A one-stage process was selected in which artists
submitted detailed project proposals for two unique crosswalk designs. A Call to Artists –
Request for Proposals was issued on February 3, 2025. The Call to Artists was advertised
through the City of Pickering website as well as Akimbo, Community Services Distribution List,
and through social media. The Call to Artists resulted in 20 proposals.
CS 11-25 June 9, 2025
Subject: Lest We Forget Remembrance Crosswalks Update Page 3
As per Section 09.01 of the Policy, a Public Art Jury was formed (including representatives
from Royal Canadian Legion Branches #606 and #483) and met on March 6, 2025 to review
the 20 proposals. As a result of that meeting, the Public Art Jury recommended that the
commission be awarded to Verna - Jia Lin & Alex Vongsavath of Paintint Inc. The Public Art
Jury included a list of required revisions to the designs.
The following designs revisions were requested to be made to the original crosswalk designs
included: remove image of poppies as per the Dominion Command of The Royal Canadian
Legion policy; the addition of a maple leaf to both crosswalk designs with a white border
around maple leaf ; re-order the images to depict maple leaf at top, text “Lest We Forget” in the
middle, and images of the soldier(s) at the bottom; duplicating and flipping the images so
design is visible from the entry point in both directions of crosswalk; change brown background
on both designs with a red brick texture; saluting hand was adjusted so it clearly resembles a
salute; cross symbol updated to more closely resemble a medical cross with thicker lines.
The recommendation was endorsed by the Cultural Advisory Committee on March 18, 2025.
After that meeting, the selected artists met with City staff and were provided with the list of
required revisions. Those revisions were completed and approved by representatives of the
Royal Canadian Legion Branches #606 and #483, City staff , and endorsed on April 15, 2025
by the Cultural Advisory Committee.
As the final crosswalk designs include the use of a stylized 11-point maple leaf, staff reached
out to the Department of Canadian Heritage for review of the designs. They provided the
following response: “In this case, the context makes it abundantly clear that the presence of
the Maple Leaf is one of respectful homage to Canada’s heroes and their sacrifices for our
country. While all the figures represented in the crosswalk will bear the effects of foot and road
traffic equally, both the maple leaf and the silhouettes, it is clear that the intention here is not to
symbolically trample these figures. The Department of Canadian Heritage therefore has no
objection to your use of the stylized 11-point maple leaf as it appears in this submission.”
Staff will issue an Invitation f or Quote to print and install the two “Lest We Forget” c rosswalks
onto the road surfaces.
4. Installation and unveiling
An official unveiling event for the two remembrance crosswalks is planned for f all 2025 at both
locations. The City Centre unveiling will take place in partnership with the Legion Branch #606
on location near the installation site and will be immediately followed by an unveiling at the
installation location in Claremont. The Claremont Legion #483 will host a gathering at their
Legion Hall on the day of the unveiling.
The City is currently seeking submissions from vendors to print and install the two “Lest We
Forget” c rosswalks using preformed thermoplastic suitable for City Road surfaces. Thermal
plastic requires an air temperature of 10 degrees Celsius to apply. The City Centre c rosswalk
location is approximately 15.5m x 3.0m . The Claremont crosswalk is approximately 10.5m x
3.0m .
CS 11-25 June 9, 2025
Subject: Lest We Forget Remembrance Crosswalks Update Page 4
Attachments:
1.Pickering Crosswalk Designs
2.Call to Artists – Request for Proposals Lest We Forget Remembrance Crosswalks
3.Resolution #616/24
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
Original Signed By Original Signed By
Jesse St. Amant Laura Gibbs, MBA, MSc.
Coordinator , Cultural Services Director, Community Services
LG :jsa
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
Original Signed By
Marisa Carpino, M.A.
Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment 1 to Report CS 11-25
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Attachment 2 to Report CS 11-25
Call to Artists – Request for Proposals (RFP)
Lest We Forget Remembrance Crosswalks
Deadline: February 24, 2025 at 4:00 pm EST.
Photo of the Lest We Forget Crosswalk , located in Town of Lincoln, ON.
Artist Opportunity
The C ity of Pickering invites artists to respond to this Call to Artists – Request for
Proposals by submitting digital artwork proposals for two (2) unique crosswalk
locations using the theme “Lest We Forget” that will honour our Veterans.
The c hosen “Lest We Forget” crosswalk artist designs will be displayed on a
roadway near Esplanade Park in our City Centre, with a second crosswalk to be
installed in Claremont adjacent to the local Royal Canadian Legion Branch. This
call is open to digital artists, teams, and collectives, with preference given to local
artists. The final application of the design onto the road surfaces will be completed
by a separate City Contractor.
One (1) artist will be selected to carry out the final design of both unique crosswalk
locations. The selected artist may also be required to attend a community
consultation to refine their initial submission. This consultation will include
representatives from the Royal Canadian Legion #606, and Royal Canadian
Legion #483, as well as City staff . The final designs may also require modification
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to accommodate installation onto road surface using templates/stencils
manufactured by the contractor. One (1) artist selected will be awarded $4,000
plus HST for submission of two unique designs.
As defined by the City of Pickering Public Art Policy (CUL 130), an artist is the
designer/creator of an artistic work, which may include, but is not limited to, a
professional artist, graphic designer, collaborative team, architect, or landscape
designer.
A jury of arts professionals, Cultural Advisory Committee members, City staff , and
Royal Canadian Legion representatives will review the submissions.
Site Context
The City of Pickering resides on land within the Treaty and traditional territory of
the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and Williams Treaties signatories
of the Mississauga and Chippewa Nations.
One design (Claremont) will be displayed in the hamlet of Claremont, on Old Brock
Road and Acorn Lane (south leg of intersection). The second design (City Centre)
will be displayed near Esplanade Park at the intersection of Esplanade South and
Valley Farm Road (north leg of intersection).
Crosswalk in Claremont will be placed near the Legion #483 Hall at the
intersection of Old Brock Road and Acorn Lane (south leg of the intersection)
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Crosswalk in City Centre will be placed near Esplanade South at Valley Farm
Road intersection (north leg across Valley Farm Road)
Photo of Town of Amherst “Lest We Forget Crosswalk” design by local artist Daren
White.
Project Brief
The City of Pickering’s Cultural Strategic Plan (2014) outlines the City’s
commitment to collaborate with the community to celebrate our cultural diversity,
heritage and the arts; to sustain our natural environment; to foster a creative
economy; and to strengthen our vibrant neighbourhoods.
These temporary public art pieces will be another way residents can reflect,
honour and remember our fallen soldiers on Remembrance Day, and all year long.
Artists are encouraged to capture the spirit of Remembrance Day and honoring
veterans in both designs. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion will be part of
the selection process.
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The City of Pickering will be seeking to purchase the work and assume full
ownership. The successful work will act as a marker and further commemorate our
fallen soldiers throughout the year.
Budget
The final artist will be paid $4,000 CAD plus HST (maximum)* for two unique
digital artwork files. This is the total amount available for the creation of the two
digital artwork s. The budget above is for the artist fee and includes up to 2 rounds
of revisions, travel to meetings and the site, community consultation, and all
applicable taxes. The City of Pickering is responsible for the final installation of the
artwork onto the road surface.
The selected artist will enter into a written agreement with the City of Pickering
following the approval of the acquisition of the public art. This agreement will
address the artist's obligations, which include, but are not limited to:
• Timeline
• Copyright, Intellectual Property and Moral Rights
Anticipated Schedule
It is expected that the commissioned artist(s) will comply with the project’s general
timeline dates, as stated below:
Date* Project Phase
February 3, 2025 Issue RFP
February 24, 2025 Submissions Due
March 7, 2025 Selected Artist Notified
March/April 2025 Design Review and Revisions
May/June 2025 Final Design and Project
Endorsements
September/October 2025 Artwork Installation by City
October 2025 Artwork Unveiling
*Schedule is subject to change
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Technical Specifications
Design Considerations
1. This call is primarily targeting new site-specific work suitable for display outdoor
all-seasons.
2. Both designs should be inspired by and include “Lest We Forget” text and
image(s) of Remembrance that are simplified vector linear artwork. Each site
has additional design elements brought forward by the individual Legion
Branches to consider in your proposal, but not limited to:
• City Centre: White background with m ultiple soldiers, including female
soldiers and/or nurse figures, white background.
• Claremont: Clean and simple design using a red background, white text and
minimal, but impactful image(s).
3. The Dominion Command of The Royal Canadian Legion has registered the
trademark of the Poppy image to safeguard the Poppy insignia as a symbol of
Remembrance. As such, image(s) of the poppy cannot be used in the designs.
4. Crosswalk dimensions – approximately 3.3 meters tall x 12.8 meters wide.
Proposed Designs should be within or near this scale.
5. White or Yellow boarder across top and bottom – 10 cm is the standard for
crosswalks.
6. The work is to be inclusive, engaging and create a feeling of remembrance and
honoring our fallen soldiers.
7. Final Digital Artwork will be professionally reproduced onto preformed
thermoplastics and installed onto road surface by a City of Pickering
Contractor.
8. The City of Pickering will own the rights to the two final crosswalk designs
provided by the artist.
9. The City of Pickering may choose to display images of the digital artwork for
marketing and promotion purposes.
10. High resolution PDF, Adobe Illustrator .ai files, or .eps files are required for
production.
Selection Process
A public art jury comprised of practicing arts professionals, Cultural Advisory
Committee Members, City staff and Royal Canadian Legion representatives will be
established for the evaluation of the proposals. This is a one-stage competition.
One (1) artist will be awarded the commission for the two unique designs.
The Jury will recommend one (1) artist or artistic team for the award of the
commission based on the following criteria:
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1. Artistic merit, including quality of work, originality, and artistic excellence in the
field of outdoor temporary/permanent art.
2. Adherence to location and expressed desire in this project.
3. Artist’s demonstrated ability and proposal feasibility to meet the artwork goals
and technical requirements, within the set timeline and budget.
The City of Pickering reserves the right to select and retain the artist deemed most
appropriate for the project at its sole discretion.
Submission Requirements
Artists are invited to respond to this RFP Call by submitting a single pdf document
(max size 20 MB) including:
• Artist statement: describe your interest in this project and share your
experience in the field. You can submit a written document (1-page max).
• Concepts of the two unique crosswalk designs based on the Design
Considerations mentioned in this call. These should be rough sketches of
the designs you plan to submit should awarded the opportunity.
• Portfolio of past work: Examples of relevant work. You may include multiple
images per project on 1 page of a maximum to 10 projects (10-pages).
Add tittle, year, scope, budget and a short description.
• References: A list of at least two professional references familiar with your
work and working methods. The list must include name, title, complete e-
mail addresses and telephone numbers.
Submissions must be sent to jstamant@pickering.ca with subject line: Call to Lest
We Forget Remembrance Crosswalks - (Artist Preferred Name)
Deadline: February 24, 2025, at 4 pm EST.
Accessibility
The City will provide accommodation throughout the selection process to
applicants with disabilities. Please notify Jesse St. Amant, Coordinator, Cultural
Services at 905.420.4660 ext.3607 or jstamant@pickering.ca of the nature of any
accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes
used to ensure your equal participation.
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Reserved Rights of the City of Pickering
The City of Pickering, at its sole discretion, may request clarification or request
additional information, as deemed necessary to evaluate the submissions. The
City retains the sole discretion to determine whether a submission is responsive
and if the prospective Artist or Artist Team can perform the Work. The City
reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to determine the number of pre-qualified
Artists or Artist Teams. The City reserves the right to not proceed with awarding a
contract.
Publication of Information
The City of Pickering shall have the exclusive rights to issue all public
announcements regarding the competition.
Additional Information
For any additional information or questions please contact: Jesse St. Amant,
Coordinator, Cultural Services at 905.420.4660 ext. 3607 or
jstamant@pickering.ca.
Attachment 3 to Report CS 11-25
Legislative Services Division
Clerk’s Office
Directive Memorandum
November 29, 2024
To: Laura Gibbs
Director, Community Services
From: Susan Cassel
City Clerk
Subject: Direction as per Minutes of the Meeting of City Council held on
November 25, 2024
Lest We Forget Remembrance Crosswalks
Council Decision Resolution #616/24
WHEREAS, the Cenotaph for the City of Pickering is located in Esplanade Park;
And Whereas, each November the City honours and recognizes our fallen soldiers
through all the many wars from World War 1 to present armed conflicts;
And Whereas, the addition of a “Lest We Forget” crosswalk at or around Esplanade Park,
or a central location in the City downtown core, with a second crosswalk to be installed in
Claremont adjacent to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #483, is another way residents
can reflect, honour and remember our fallen soldiers on Remembrance Day, as well as at
other times of the year;
And Whereas, other Ontario municipalities such as the City of Hamilton and City of
Chatham, and the Town of Amherst in Nova Scotia, have installed red crosswalks, with a
simple relief silhouette of a soldier, and “Lest we Forget” to raise awareness, enhancing
community and soldier commemoration citywide;
Now therefore be it resolved that the Council of The Corporation of the City of Pickering
directs through the Office of the CAO:
1.That notwithstanding CUL 130 Public Art Policy, that staff consult with the Royal
Canadian Legion Branches #606 and #483 on the suitability and design to be used
for the installation of two “Lest We Forget” crosswalks, funded from the Public Art
Reserve (8038);
2.That the Mayor be requested to include funding in the amount of $33,000 in the
2025 Current Budget to enable staff to undertake a public art installation, to be
selected pursuant to the Public Art Policy (CUL 130) and funded from the Public Art
Reserve; and,
3.That staff report back to Council no later than the end of Q2 2025 on the most
suitable locations, design, and cost to facilitate installation of both crosswalks in
time for Remembrance Day 2025.
Please take any action deemed necessary.
SC:jc
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Director, Finance & Treasurer