Carson City to draft proposed policy on painted rocks following joint commission meeting

A joint meeting Tuesday between the Open Space Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission was held regarding an issue of whether or not to allow painted “kindness” rocks on Carson City parks and trail areas.

The issue came about after a private citizen took it upon themselves to remove hundreds of rocks along a paved or “hardscaped” section of the V&T Trail, claiming they believed them to be akin to graffiti.

Now, the commissions held a meeting with the intent of giving the community an opportunity to voice their opinions on whether or not the city should create a policy regarding painted rocks.

Across the country, Kindness Project rocks, which are painted specifically to provide inspirational messages of hope and love, have led to ordinances at local, state and national levels. Some national parks ban them entirely, and view them as graffiti. Other local and state parks have welcomed the rocks, creating specific areas for the rocks to be placed, and even providing rock art contests to residences.

Commission opinions were mostly in favor of the rocks in specific paved areas, with prohibitions against any on dirt trails or open spaces. Some commissioners stated there shouldn’t be any policy, and that the rocks that became so abundant during the pandemic were a fad that would blow over in time.

The following opinions from commission members are paraphrased for space and readability, and not necessarily direct quotes.

Open Space Opinions

Kristine Currie (KC): I’m concerned about ecological damage. I do know that the potential for plastics getting more and more into our environment is of great concern. I would support a rock garden or rock trail and public events with contests.

Mary K. Berge: The city should have the ability to pick up any rocks that are not on a designated area – wherever that may be. I like the idea of kindness, and don't want to get into such nitpicking that if someone wants to place a nice rock – I know the city has way more important things to do. But I like the idea of it being in one small spot.

Susan Martinovich: I liked the rocks. Per ordinances, political signs and commercial ads cannot go on public right of way, so there could be some policy regarding that. I would support the rocks along the areas where it’s already paved – definitely not on open space.

Robert Ghiglieri: When I’m out on these trails and if it's a paved path, I have no issue with them. I don’t want to see them on dirt trails. With that said, if we do designate certain areas for the rocks, the city should include in the rules that they have the right to pick up any rock for any reason and shouldn’t have a justification. Whether there are too many, they’re political, etc.

Donna Inveresin: The purpose of open space reads preservation and protection of the natural environment. Painted rocks are not natural. I’m totally opposed to any painted rocks within open space, paved or not. I’m okay with finding a park to put painted rocks in.

Mark Kimbrough: I’m not having the trouble with art on hardscaped areas of trails. For national parks, I understand their stance — theirs is total protection of the environment. Cities have a responsibility to split that a little. Sometimes you have to govern more toward people, like with hardscaping.

Parks Commission Opinions

Lea Case: I would love to see more painted rocks on hardscaping, like multi-use paths.

Janice Caldwell: This feels like a big todo about nothing. It’s a fad, it’s going to pass. I think we should let it be.

Lisa Schuette: I love the idea of a kindness project. I think the world can benefit from more kindness. In areas where there has already been an impact, it makes sense for the rocks. I am not for the painted rocks on dirt trails. As cities, we do balance; we balance community with natural environments. This is also a good opportunity to talk about why some paints are okay and why others aren’t.

Dave Whitefield: I don’t see the harm that would occur in that specific area of the V&T Trail. I think it’s a very nice activity to support the well-being of the community in any place that makes sense in terms of hardscaping.

Lee-Ann Keever: I’m neutral; if someone wants to paint rocks, that's great; they don’t, that’s great. If we do go forward with this, there should be some sort of prohibition against advertising or politics. Just feel good messages. We could designate an area in a not-so-popular trail to be promotional and encourage its use.

Stacie Wilke: If there’s asphalt it's fine. There will never be enough kindness. We could designate areas in parks in which we’re taking out playground equipment, and put rock gardens in where there is no longer that equipment to encourage the park’s use.

Kurt L. Meyer: I enjoy the rocks in hardscaped areas. I definitely do not want to see them in natural areas and dirt trails.

Alan Welch: I agree with the idea of the kindness project; if it’s in hardscaped areas, I think we should allow it. The department should be given considerable leeway on where rocks are appropriate or not as a policy decision. I think the rocks are positive.

Following the discussions, staff was directed to create a policy to bring before the commission at a later date to vote upon it.