HRPDC Chair, Ella Ward (Chesapeake) and Executive Director Bob Crum, watch as Vice-Chair Michael Hipple (James City) reveals a message during the “Write as Rain” campaign press conference. Using stencils and an eco-friendly rain-resistant spray, askHRgreen.org has blanketed the region’s  sidewalks, streetscapes and thoroughfares with motivational messages that will appear when the surfaces are wet.

April showers bring May flowers and a sprinkling of magically appearing outdoor messages, thanks to the region-wide “Write as Rain” sidewalk campaign from askHRgreen.org. Launched in April on sidewalks, streetscapes and thoroughfares throughout Hampton Roads, the motivational campaign will reveal a bevy of good-to-know “green” messages that only become visible when wet. 

With the approval of local municipalities, askHRgreen.org committee members blanketed the region using custom-made stencils and an eco-friendly rain-resistant spray to adhere their messages to sidewalks in locations where residents gather. When it becomes wet, the surface around the message darkens while the stenciled area stays dry and light. The messages carry such sayings as: Only Rain Down the Storm Drain; No Wipes in Our Pipes; Your Morning Shower Starts with Tap Water; and Cigarette Butts are Litter, Too.

The goal of the campaign is to inspire people to think about our Hampton Roads environment in ways they haven’t before. What’s more unexpected than a magically appearing message written with rain? Grab your umbrella and head outside to enjoy the next rainy day in Hampton Roads and look for messages in Chesapeake, Hampton, Isle of Wight, James City County, Newport News, Portsmouth, Smithfield, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, York County, and more locations.

Find a message near you using our interactive map at www.askHRgreen.org/rainyday.