I was walking home from a long day at work wanting to just lay on the couch, in no mood to slow down and look around at my surroundings but in my peripheral vision what do I spy but some chalk work. So naturally I had to turn around and see what it said. The first picture was definitely worth the smirk I had on my face for the next few blocks!
Poor dinosaur … “All my friends are dead.”
Poor dinosaurs!
I suddenly was walking slower looking for the next creative use of public space using one of the most simplistic tools for tactical urbanism…chalk! For at least 5 blocks there were numerous up-lifting, funny, “punny” and thought-provoking images on the ground.
A creative and hilarious way to brighten up man-holes.
It was then that I realized that the citizens in this neighbourhood wanted their residents to enjoy and use the sidewalk as a public space to foster community (and make people look funny while walking down the street laughing at what seems to be nothing!).
On my magic carpet ride!
My day was instantly made better by these images. So thank you to the Fernwood community for bringing out my inner child and realizing Placemaking can be as simple as bringing out my inner 5 year old child and drawing on the ground.
Excuse me while I buy some chalk and (figuratively) paint the town!
Guest Author Bio
Kelsea Fielden
I am a recent Uvic graduate majoring in Political Science minoring in Public Administration. My interests lie in community building within the municipality and believe public spaces should serve the public’s needs! Currently I work in non-profit helping students who have low literacy and numeracy skills. A random fact about me, I am a dance fitness instructor at the YMCA!
