Communications and Special Initiatives Coordinator, Amelia Gabor, stands on the ‘Tiger Lagoon’ creative crosswalk by artist Marc Fresh.

Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, unveiled  its first Creative Crosswalk on Tower Drive last month, marking further progress toward a beautiful and pedestrian-centered campus. Having spent my last months as a student advocating and planning for LSU’s newest colorful street addition, I am immensely proud to see my vision for an even more walkable and vibrant campus come to life.

As part of my capstone class at the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication, my group was tasked with identifying an issue at LSU to spend our last semester trying to address or solve. Eager to share the knowledge I gained during my internship at the Center for Planning Excellence (my best and only claim to professional legitimacy at that point), I proposed we consider the benefits pedestrian-friendly infrastructure offers to students and the shortcomings of the existing crosswalks on campus. 

For many of us who reside in Baton Rouge–and undoubtedly college towns across the country–college is our first opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a walkable community. Residential spaces, grocery stores, restaurants, and social hubs are never more than a 15 minute walk away. I enjoyed years of grabbing a latte or lunch at City Pork in the Design Building, studying and relaxing in the shaded green space of the Quad and Parade grounds, and meeting friends at the LSU Library or Student Union. This could all be achieved without ever starting my car, which is a blessing considering I’ve been unofficially voted Baton Rouge’s Worst Driver 2019-2023 by those who’ve graced my passenger seat. To myself, my group members, and nearly 35,000 LSU students, campus feels like a walkable utopia, an escape from Baton Rouge traffic for the day.

But even in this people-centric utopia, data reported by the Advocate revealed that forty-one pedestrians were hit by cars on campus between 2013 and 2018. This revelation, coupled with an awareness of the many fading crosswalks on campus, crystallized our cause. The innovative idea that emerged was TigerCross, an initiative aiming to increase pedestrian safety, mobility, and campus beautification through the implementation of one or more creative crosswalks. which use art to enliven streets as engaging and safe places for people. Unlike standard black and white crosswalks, creative crosswalks utilize colorful patterns, images, and designs that reflect the local culture, history, or themes relevant to the area. Their rising popularity can be attributed to their ability to beautify public spaces, create a sense of place, and foster community pride, ultimately making the simple act of crossing the street a more enjoyable, memorable, and safe experience.

The advancement of campus mobility was not a new concept. LSU has made strides toward creating a more bike- and pedestrian-friendly campus, from the decision to close campus to vehicles during operating hours a few years ago to the recent addition of e-bikes and e-scooters. The most recent LSU Campus Master Plan – completed in 2017– identified connectivity, mobility, and pedestrian safety as priorities, outlining strategies like converting unnecessary parking lots into pedestrian amenities and open green space, emphasizing a system of major pedestrian routes providing safe and clear paths to major campus destinations, removing cars and parking within the campus core to reinforce pedestrian priority, collaborating with the city to create new walking, biking and transit-only corridors, and so much more. However, when the TigerCross team began examining LSU’s pedestrian infrastructure, we realized that many of these initiatives had not been achieved. This, coupled with the $636,808,794 in deferred maintenance costs that LSU was managing, made it clear that a student-led, student-funded push was just what this campus needed to bring mobility and pedestrian safety back to the forefront of the conversation.

Our team compiled research and data highlighting the necessity and viability of a Creative Crosswalk on LSU’s campus; identified the key players that needed to approve the project; and put together a budget to propose to student government. By the time our budget was approved and we received the go-ahead from the Department of Campus Planning, Design, and Construction, the semester was coming to an end, and we feared that this initiative wouldn’t see the light of day.

When I began my post-grad life working full time at CPEX, I remained determined to make TigerCross a reality. I worked with my former professor to advocate for a new group of seniors to take up the cause. After some convincing, we found a group that was interested in identifying an artist, presenting the designs, ensuring they were compliant with ADA standards, and overseeing the implementation and unveiling. I offered my advice to the team throughout the latter half of the project because they too faced roadblocks (no pun intended) in getting it approved and implemented.

The new creative crosswalk features a colorful and eye-catching design that displays two tigers bathing in what we’re calling “Tiger Lagoon.” It is located at a high-visibility, high-foot traffic area on Tower Drive between the LSU Student Union and quad, making it a critical location for pedestrian safety. The addition of a creative crosswalk to this intersection demonstrates LSU's commitment to the well-being of its community. It serves a dual-purpose as a high-visibility crosswalk that enhances pedestrian safety and a public art installation that showcases the creativity and talent of the local artist Marc Fresh.

Throughout this experience, I’ve learned how important it is to have infrastructure that facilitates walkability–and to do it right. We faced many challenges and more than a few critics; there were so many occasions where we doubted this would be possible. Offers for partnerships with several student art organizations were declined. We lacked the technical understanding or artistic advice to assert opinions on asphalt porosity, corresponding paint type, and other intricate logistics to Campus Campus Planning, Design, and Construction. We found it incredibly difficult to find an account to hold the funds we were awarded– student government funds are typically spent directly, not reserved. Not only did we not meet the amount to warrant an account with the LSU Foundation, they were not allowed to accept student funds, disqualifying us from a landing page on their website. Through all of these challenges and more, our champions were our professor Robert Mann, Director of Campus Planning, Greg Lacour, and Assistant Director of Campus Planning, Dennis Mitchell. Their expertise and enthusiasm helped us find solutions, like the decision to commission community artists, address logistical issues, and transfer funds to the College of Art and Design, where Dean Alkis Tsolakis held it until implementation.

Evolution comes with growing pains, and I hope that sharing my journey with this project can encourage others who are passionate about pedestrian safety and mobility. TigerCross is a great example of how institutions, planners, and, yes, students and individuals can prioritize pedestrian safety while also adding to the beauty and uniqueness of their communities. It's a great addition to LSU's campus, and we hope it leads to the installation of more Creative Crosswalks in and around Baton Rouge.