“Chalking Back” against COVID-19 boredom and negativity

If you’re out to stretch your legs during COVID-19 social isolation, it might be worth a trip through one east end neighbourhood, where some local families have teamed up to beat the coronavirus blues.

Some families around the Stanley Park subdivision and other parts of the east end, have been decorating the sidewalk with positive messages, in hopes of raising people’s spirits in these uncertain times.

Leslee Uddenberg and her kids came up with the idea, after being stuck in the house for about a week.

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Ruby (10) and Georgia (10) go through some of the sidewalk chalk that was given to them by a generous neighbour. (Photo: Submitted / Leslee Uddenberg)

She says, while the project started as a way for some of the young kids to keep in touch with each other it has turned into a nice creative outlet and a bit of a distraction to what’s going on.

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The messages have drawn plenty of positive feedback from around the neighbourhood and beyond, with some of the artwork even being shared with Quebec and Nova Scotia.

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While the wet snow today will likely wash out some of the work that’s been done, Uddenberg says the kids are looking forward to getting back outside once the weather improves.

Avery (7) and Preston (5) proudly show off some of their sidewalk art, in east end Belleville, as they try to spread some good cheer during the COVID-19 outbreak. (Photo: Submitted / Ali Hainse)

Uddenberg also gave a shout out to some of the other neighbourhood families involved including the Hainse, Crawford and Zegouras families and is encouraging others to decorate the sidewalks in their part of the city and share those photos on social media.

A video from Aaron Bell (Lot 48 Film Company) and some photos submitted by the families can be seen below.

Thanks to the kids in our neighbourhood for brightening things up around here this afternoon!

Posted by Aaron Bell on Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Sidewalk drawings done by families in east end Belleville to try and spread positive messages during the COVID-19 outbreak. (Submitted / Leslee Uddenberg)

Sidewalk drawings done by families in east end Belleville to try and spread positive messages during the COVID-19 outbreak. (Submitted / Leslee Uddenberg)

Sidewalk drawings done by families in east end Belleville to try and spread positive messages during the COVID-19 outbreak. (Submitted / Leslee Uddenberg)

Sidewalk drawings done by families in east end Belleville to try and spread positive messages during the COVID-19 outbreak. (Submitted / Leslee Uddenberg)