Kristin Windell says if her sons, Grayson and Sawyer, weren’t at Chalk the Block on Wednesday evening, they’d be at home, either on their tablets or playing Xbox.
Instead, the Pottsville family, along with nearly 200 other people, were in the parking lot of Alvernia University downtown drawing and coloring in parking spots outside the school.
Chalk the Block was spearheaded by Pottsville City Councilman Scott Price. Fifty parking spots in the lot were marked off and reserved for children and their families to draw and color in, guided by prompts like their favorite part of summer or what makes their hometown special.
Each child that participated was given a bucket of chalk to fill in their parking space. Judges paced around the lot and determined the winners, who received cash prizes for their hard work.
The Windells were busy adding details to their designated parking space. Grayson was coloring in fireworks bursting and helping his mom with the drawing she added to the spot.
Meanwhile, Sawyer was hard at work adding more to the family’s overall design.
“I think it’s great that they’re not on their tablets,” Kristin said.
Price, as Director of Parks and Recreation on City Council, said he was motivated to create Chalk the Block – an event he plans to bring back next year due to the success of it this year – as a means of getting families out of their houses and together.
“The kids were starving for activities. They were starving for something to do during the summer,” Price said. “I think the parents deserved a nice night out like this with their children.”
Incoming sixth grader Abigail Jones, of Orwigsburg and formerly of Pottsville, said her artwork was inspired by her own backyard and the beach. She included elements of each as she filled in the entire spot she claimed with color.
Jones said she chose her design because she enjoys the beach but there are none here.
And for Rhys Zvorsky, of Pottsville, it was the city’s public swimming pool that inspired his artwork. He said if he weren’t at Chalk the Block on Wednesday evening, he’d be at JFK.
Price said he’s planning other rec events for later this year – like possibly a basketball tournament – and next, including sports camps for kids. The councilman thanked the 20 or so sponsors that helped organize Wednesday’s event, brought it together so quickly, and provided the supplies.
Participating children each received a free slice of pizza and drink as well as other fun items to take home with them.
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