A campaign launched this spring in Wallaceburg has brought children, families, lots of smiles and some beautiful mobile art work to the downtown core.
Sherri DeWolf, coordinator for the Wallaceburg BIA, told the Sydenham Current she got the idea for the “Downtown Wallaceburg Rocks” initiative while visiting Key West, Florida.
“These type of kindness rock projects take place internationally,” DeWolf said.
“As a traveller, myself, I came across my first community rocks group on an extended stay in Key West, Florida during the winter of 2017. Beautifully painted rocks and encouraging messages were being placed all over the island and the group was highly interactive for residents and visitors alike.”
DeWolf said when she began her position with the BIA in April of this year, she felt as though a similar project focused on the downtown core would be a great addition to the Wallaceburg community.
“Along with a fantastic tie-in to our initiatives for revitalization of the downtown,” she said.
“A great feel good project to get more people enjoying our downtown again. A shift that our community was in need of.”
DeWolf said the campaign began mid-May and is meant to be a long-standing project.
“So long as people are participating and contributing, it will live on,” she said.
“It is not a seasonal project and we fully expect it to continue on as the seasons change… although it may slow down in the winter months due to the cold weather and snow.”
DeWolf said the campaign is geared to all ages.
“Kids and families love it, but we have seen just as many adults taking part in sharing photos and contributing rocks to be found. It can’t help but put a smile on your face, no matter what your age, as it brings out the kid in all of us.”
DeWolf added: “We would love for our downtown to become a well known area in town for finding a positive message, creating a smile and having some fun. In conjunction with revitalization initiatives for the BIA District, we also aim to bring more foot traffic downtown exploring the streets and riverfront to create an awareness and support for all of the existing businesses and unique features that our downtown has to offer.”
DeWolf said Wallaceburg residents are fortunate to have such a unique downtown.
“It’s a beautiful area to shop, dine and play in,” she said.
“We feel it’s important to create a sense of community and togetherness and to open minds to seeing our downtown in a positive light full of potential and possibility.”
The new tagline for the Downtown Wallaceburg BIA is ‘Open Hearts – Open Minds – Open Businesses’.
“We feel as though if we foster and strengthen our sense of community (Open Hearts) and can create a mindset shift for the Downtown (Open Minds), existing businesses will thrive and we will attract more opportunities for people to want to set up shop in Downtown Wallaceburg (Open Businesses).”
DeWolf wants those who participate to mark the backs of the rocks accordingly, which is outlined, along with the protocol for the campaign, on the Downtown Wallaceburg Rocks Facebook group page.
“So they continue to be re-hid in the downtown core,” she said.
“Also, to keep the rocks in places where they can be readily found… benches, window sills, entrances to businesses, edges of planters, etc. It’s not meant to be a difficult task to come upon one of our rocks, but rather placed in such a manner that its a nice surprise so people can find a little something to brighten their day. We would like visitors from out of town, or those who haven’t come across the group page yet, to know what to do when they find one, as well as keep them in the Downtown BIA District to support our efforts in continuing to bring people downtown.”
DeWolf added: “It has warmed our hearts to have the response that we have had. From the happy faces in the photo finds that make their way to the page, to seeing families at home spending time together painting their own rocks to contribute, it really puts a smile on our face. There has definitely been more foot traffic downtown and a real appreciation for the features of our downtown, so we thank everyone for participating.”
You can find the group online by clicking, here.
WALLACEBURG ROCKS!!