Pavement chalk - AIBU?

[HubbabubbaT]

I saw a lovely thing online about a sensory walk pavement trail for kids - hop like a bunny here, spin here, follow the dots, touch your toes, smile - that sort of thing ... Thought it would be a lovely idea to do outside our house for all the kids going for walks with their parents .. cheer the kids up a bit. Happened to mention to neighbour over the fence before I started... He said oh isn't that vandalism of the council's property??? - AIBU or would it be nice thing to do? I tried googling it but there doesn't seem to be any clear cut law against it as far as I can see..?? Just don't want to draw it all out and then have to wash it straight off if it's illegal! Just to confirm I tried the chalks on the patio and they wash straight off..

It's a great idea

Go for it, you sound lovely. Your neighbour not so much.

Probably depends on whether the first thought in your neighbourhood is 'rainbows and hopscotch' or 'my first cock and balls'

Well obviously cocks and balls are not ok on the pavement regardless of medium. I don't see genitalia in chalk raised as a widespread issue on this thread, and I'm pretty sure the 'chalking is criminal' crowd would have led with pornographic content concerns if that was the issue!

I think a shaming thread of explicit pavement chalk drawing photos would be quite amusing though if this is indeed a big issue

Vandalism causes actual damage and/or takes a while to clear up - you are putting a bit of chalk on the path which will wear off or wash off.

It's a delightful idea - go for it (and perhaps post a picture?)

Why don't you (obviously ) phone your council and ask them?

On your property or outside your home I'd say go for it. Just remember that - at this moment - staying home saves lives.

Would not do anything - at this moment - that encourages kids to linger and play, to block the pavement meaning others have to walk in the road etc.

Quite apart from the fact that your one exercise session - walk, run or cycle - does not include stopping to draw stuff.

Staying home saves lives.

Chalk? We did this for ages the other day! It washes off....plonker.

Here!

Though I might get the rainbow woman tell me off. For drawing rainbows!

Your neighbour is an idiot.

I swear some people won't be happy with any form of outside activity unless it's a strictly controlled route march. Go for it OP, the world is miserable enough already.

Chalk a block, certainly not illegal where I live.

I did it folks! Already seen 2 families hopping along it briefly... And smiling at the end...!
Now to wait for the cops to turn up and demand I scrub it off my own driveway (tbh it's likely hubby will demand that when he gets home from work anyway )

I think it’s lovely. It makes me so happy to see kids doing something so low tech and joyous.

Pretty unobtrusive

This has been done on the Main Street as you enter our estate and it's lovey and over the course of 3 days it's disappeared .. no vandalism, brings a smile to peoples face & keeps kids entertained. I don't see the issue.

We’ve drawn all over outside of our house on the pavement. It comes off with the hose... I know because we’ve changed the design a few times since lockdown.

Pavement chalk everywhere here and definitely doesn’t put a smile on my face. Makes the place look scruffy IMO. Dog agrees - he pissed all over a rainbow on the way back from the park

So, dog piss is fine but chalk is not...? 🤔

I'm in my 30s and I had a Little giggle doing one of these the other day. Is great for the kids who can't have their usual fun. It washes off. Shame about the giant male appendage someone else has drawn....

Just make sure it's chalk not crayons, seen there mistake before. Op, looks great!

Lovely @Hoggleludo

What an idiot. Chalk is temporary, it will wear away once it rains and such. It’s hardly like you’re spray painting your name all over ffs.

I think it's fine.
The people saying 'but you're supposed to be staying in'... is it really much different to doing your 'daily exercise'?
If person A goes for a 15 min walk or bike ride, person B chalks on their pavement for 15 mins... both people out for 15 mins, and stay home the rest of the time, what would be the difference?

Not being snotty - genuinely would like to hear if there's stuff I haven't considered.

It may eventually wear off but it has rained several times and I still have to look out at this mess. It bloody well lowers the tone of the whole neighbourhood.
And.....they are supposed to be in lockdown. Were their fond parents standing watching them do this?

It bloody well lowers the tone of the whole neighbourhood.

Is that you, Hyacinth?

What a little ray of sunshine you are Esspee.

It's hardly going to have a knock on effect on your property prices.