The vibrant artistic crosswalks that once decorated Tallahassee's streets have been completely erased following Florida's statewide ban on painted crosswalks, which required their removal by September 3rd. These colorful installations, which brought art and enhanced pedestrian safety to numerous locations across the city, are now just memories as creative artists and safety advocates mourn the loss of these decorative pavements.

Tallahassee and Leon County were home to at least 12 painted crosswalks, with the majority strategically placed in front of schools. Most of these installations were created by the Knight Creative Communities Institute (KCCI), while others in the Greater Bond neighborhood were installed by the Council on Culture and Arts (COCA). The crosswalks served a dual purpose, combining artistic expression with pedestrian safety measures in high-traffic areas.

Among the most notable installations were three colorful crosswalks on Calhoun Street – two at College Avenue and one at the intersection of East Jefferson Street. These art installations were funded by KCCI and painted as recently as March 2025, making their removal particularly poignant for the community.

Several elementary schools lost their artistic crosswalks as part of the statewide removal. DeSoto Trail Elementary School's crosswalk was painted in February 2023 with KCCI funding. Hartsfield Elementary School had a colorful crosswalk installed at the school's main entrance on Chowkeebin Nene in October 2023. Sabal Palm Elementary School's installations were completed in phases by KCCI, with the first phase completed in April 2023 featuring a crosswalk directly in front of the school, followed by a second phase in September of the same year at the intersection across from the school.

Higher education institutions were also affected by the ban. Florida A&M University Developmental Research School (FAMU DRS) had two crosswalks installed by KCCI on Wahnish Way on July 31, 2023. Florida State University featured a colorful crosswalk installed by KCCI on campus across from Tully gym, adding vibrancy to the collegiate environment.

The Greater Bond neighborhood lost several unique artistic installations created by local artists. COCA installed a painted crosswalk on Saxon Street across from Linear Park in 2023, designed by Lindsey Masterson, owner of Pen & Tool, a local creative design company. At the intersection of Saxon and Tucker Street, COCA installed a pavement mural in 2023, featuring artwork designed by Franzline Whaley, an accomplished illustrator, muralist, portrait painter, and educator. Another intersection at Saxon and Osceola Street also received a pavement mural in 2023, designed by Vardyce Gaines, an experienced graphic designer and artist.

Additional installations included Kate Sullivan Elementary and Cobb Middle schools, where KCCI installed crosswalk art on Miccosukee Road at the intersections of Hillcrest Street and Mitchell Avenue in 2022 as a pilot program for the "Crosswalks to Classrooms" initiative. Three crosswalks along Dempsey Mayo Road serving W.T. Moore Elementary and Westminster Oaks were installed by KCCI in November 2023.

While these artistic crosswalks have been permanently erased from Tallahassee's streets, their impact on the community and the memories they created for residents, students, and visitors remain. The installations represented a unique intersection of public art, community safety, and civic pride that brought color and creativity to everyday pedestrian experiences throughout the city.