Video – New Veterans Walkway Honours Those who Served in Port Hope
A new Veterans Walkway has been installed at the Augusta Street and Queen Street crosswalk in Port Hope, providing a permanent tribute to the men and women who have served and sacrificed for their country.
The installation was completed earlier this week, with Municipality of Port Hope Deputy Mayor Adam Pearson expressing his excitement about seeing the project come to fruition.
“I am extremely thrilled that our new Veterans Walk, one of them, is now done,” Pearson said.
Pearson explained that the original council motion allows for two Veterans Walkway installations in the municipality.
The first has now been completed at Augusta and Queen Streets, while a second is planned for the west side of Dorset Street in the future.
“I am overwhelmingly happy about this. It is always great to remember and honour our veterans for all the sacrifices they’ve done over the years and this is just a little thank you,” he said.
The design was brought forward by the Royal Canadian Legion and subsequently approved by council.
Pearson said he was particularly pleased with the finished design, which incorporates a maple leaf as part of the tribute.
“I absolutely love it. I love the maple leaf on there too. And of course, in honour of those who have served and sacrificed.”
One of the considerations during the installation was ensuring the walkway would withstand Canadian winters and the regular operation of snowplows.
Pearson explained that the design uses thermoplastic, which is heated and bonded directly into the road surface.
He said another option, MMA pavement marking, involves applying layers of material to create the lettering and images.
However, those raised layers can potentially be sheared off when snowplows pass over them.
“There’s potential for a snowplow to shear it off. We obviously are in Canada and we do have snow every year and there is that potential,” Pearson said.
With thermoplastic, the design is bonded into the pavement rather than simply layered on top.
“Whereas with the thermoplastic, it’s burnt right in there, which is what we’ve done here, and it should last for decades,” he said.
The completed Veterans Walkway provides another visible reminder in Port Hope of the sacrifices made by those who served, while plans remain for a second installation in the municipality.
The official unveiling will take place after the Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love