Crosswalks on Rehoboth Beach's Baltimore Avenue are being painted in rainbow colors

On the eve of Pride Month and for the first time in Rehoboth Beach history, crosswalks on Baltimore Avenue are being painted in rainbow colors.

"Baltimore Avenue has a long history of being a hub for the LGBTQ+ community," CAMP Rehoboth spokesperson Matty Brown said. "Rainbow crosswalks help affirm the vibrant and proud LGBTQ+ community that resides in and visits Rehoboth."

CAMP, which stands for "Create A More Positive" environment, has been headquartered on Baltimore Avenue for over 30 years, according to Brown.

The crosswalk project is "in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community," a city of Rehoboth Beach Facebook post said. Two crosswalks at Baltimore Avenue and Second Street are being painted this week, while two at Baltimore Avenue and First Street will be painted next week.

The idea came about three years ago in meetings of the Wilmington-Baltimore Avenue Streetscape Task Force, Rehoboth Beach spokesperson Lynne Coan said, while Commissioner Patrick Gossett and Mayor Stan Mills "championed the painting of the crosswalks for this summer." Representatives from CAMP Rehoboth and Rehoboth Beach Main Street helped with color layout, which reflects the LGBTQ+ flag, Coan added.

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The project cost $2,730 in paint and supplies, according to Coan, and was paid for through the city's general fund.

The paint is expected to be around long-term. It's power-washable, Coan said, but the design is not meant to be temporary.

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Why Rehoboth Beach's Baltimore Avenue crosswalks are being painted