Don’t want you to miss this trend altogether. Chalk the Walks is all about spreading joy, optimism and inspiration through the magical power of sidewalk chalk.
Remember when you were a kid and you’d draw pictures and write happy thoughts with chalk in your driveway and down the sidewalks of your street? And the adults always smiled when they read the big, pastel-colored messages? This is just like that. Only we’re bigger now. And we don’t have to go in the house when the street lights go out.
The idea is as simple as it was in childhood: write happy messages, have fun doing it, spread some joy while you’re at it.
Is sidewalk chalking legal in Asheville? (from a Citizen-Times Answer Man column): “The city of Asheville reviews each situation based on its own facts, but, generally, writing on the public sidewalk is prohibited,” said city spokeswoman Polly McDaniel. “The specific ordinance violation will depend on the situation, but usually writing on the public sidewalk with chalk is a violation of either the city’s sign ordinance or graffiti ordinance.”
The city does make an exception for children’s activities. Mostly the city does not like advertising.
Best Practices:
- Be respectful – consider your neighbors and others who will see your chalked walks.
- Remember the mission – the goal here is to spread joy, optimism and inspiration; if what you’re writing doesn’t accomplish that in a pure and simple way, please reconsider.
- Keep it clean – it’s very difficult to spread joy if your content is offensive; if an 8-year-old shouldn’t read it, don’t write it.
- Have fun – play is important to our mental and emotional health; connect with your inner child, be playful, have fun.
You have permission to use the church’s sidewalks! (That’s outdoor exercise, right?) Just stay 6 feet apart.