Wolfeboro's colorful new crosswalks celebrate America250

WOLFEBORO — On the night of June 29, Wolfeboro painted the crosswalks downtown red, white and blue to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.

Back in April, the town approved a new red-and-white striped pattern in response to safety issues and inconsistency in all the various crosswalks in town. Now, all the crosswalks have a red base with white stripes for increased visibility.

On March 31, two pedestrian crashes occurred within a few hours of each other, one reported near Lake Street on North Main Street and the other on Center Street near the entrance of The Ledges. Both collisions resulted in injuries, with pedestrians transported to Huggins Hospital and Portsmouth Regional Hospital for treatment.

Wolfeboro Public Works Director Steve Randall developed the new red-and-white striped design, and the town hired a contractor to paint it onto the crosswalks.

Now, along with the candy-cane stripes, blue stripes line the walkways complete with white stars, making Main Street perfectly on theme for the Fourth of July. The town said the cost was minimal, with the paint purchased in house and Department of Public Works labor being the only other expense.

Public reaction has been overall positive as locals prepare for the 4th of July parade, and Interim Town Manager Barry Muccio told the Sun, “I haven’t heard a bad thing about it."

At the selectmen's meeting on Wednesday, several Wolfeboro residents expressed their excitement for the new pattern. Muccio said the new design will last through the summer.

Kim White Feather of Ossipee shared photos of the crosswalks that she took. White Feather is a Native American.

"I like them actually. It brightens the area, making it look like it is actually fun to cross the street there," said White Feather, adding that Indigenous Peoples have differing opinions on the Stars and Stripes.

"Native Americans have a complex relationship with the American flag. Many view it as a symbol of colonization and historical trauma," she said, adding, "Today, the American flag appears in powwows and other celebrations not as a Euro-American symbol of assimilation but in honor of those who served and defended this land."