Miami Beach Rebuilds Rainbow Crosswalk as Sidewalk Installation

City defiantly reinstalls iconic Pride symbol after state forced its removal in 2023

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:41pm

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A cinematic painting of a sunlit, textured sidewalk in shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, conceptually representing the rainbow colors of the new installation in Miami Beach's Lummus Park.The vibrant new rainbow sidewalk installation in Miami Beach's Lummus Park stands as a defiant symbol of the city's commitment to LGBTQ+ visibility and representation.Miami Beach Today

In response to Florida's decision to remove rainbow crosswalks across the state, including Miami Beach's iconic Pride crosswalk on Ocean Drive, the city has rebuilt the crosswalk as a rainbow sidewalk installation inside Lummus Park, just steps from its original location. The new installation uses 3,606 rainbow pavers salvaged from the original crosswalk, bypassing state restrictions on roadway markings. Miami Beach officials see the sidewalk as a symbolic workaround and a defiant statement against the state's decision to erase the LGBTQ+ community's civic expression.

Why it matters

The removal of the rainbow crosswalk was seen by many as a signal from the state to hide the identity of the LGBTQ+ community, rather than a genuine safety concern. Miami Beach's decision to rebuild the crosswalk as a sidewalk installation is a powerful act of resistance, reasserting the city's commitment to LGBTQ+ visibility and representation in public spaces despite state pressure.

The details

In 2023, the Florida Department of Transportation forced the removal of the rainbow crosswalk on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, citing safety standards. Miami Beach officials, however, argued that the crosswalk was empirically the safest intersection on Ocean Drive. The city has now rebuilt the crosswalk as a rainbow sidewalk installation inside Lummus Park, using 3,606 salvaged rainbow pavers. The new installation is not technically a crosswalk, but a clear statement of defiance against the state's decision.

  • In October 2023, the Department of Transportation workers removed the rainbow crosswalk on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach.
  • On April 10, 2026, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava joined the city to unveil the new rainbow sidewalk installation in Lummus Park.

The players

Ron DeSantis

The governor of Florida who decided that rainbow crosswalks were a public safety menace and forced their removal across the state.

Daniella Levine Cava

The mayor of Miami-Dade County who joined the city of Miami Beach to unveil the new rainbow sidewalk installation.

Tanya Katzoff Bhatt

A Miami Beach commissioner who sponsored the measure to rebuild the rainbow crosswalk as a sidewalk installation, calling it 'a moment of strength and pride' in response to the state's actions.

Alex Fernandez

One of the openly gay elected officials on the Miami Beach City Commission, who credited allies for refusing to let the original crosswalk fade into history.

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What they’re saying

“'To take what was considered an assault to some people, a tragedy to others — and definitely an affront to most of us — and turn it into a moment of strength and pride — what's better than that?'”

— Tanya Katzoff Bhatt, Miami Beach Commissioner

“'It was a symbol of the progress made, and they came and stripped it away. It's a very clear message.'”

— Alex Fernandez, Miami Beach Commissioner

What’s next

The new rainbow sidewalk installation in Lummus Park will be officially unveiled to the public during Miami Beach Pride celebrations this Saturday.

The takeaway

Miami Beach's decision to rebuild the iconic rainbow crosswalk as a sidewalk installation is a powerful act of resistance against the state's attempt to erase LGBTQ+ identity and civic expression. The new installation serves as a symbolic monument to the community's resilience and refusal to be silenced, even in the face of state-level pressure.