Ashburn Rocks Spread Hope As Coronavirus Enters Second Month

ASHBURN, VA — As the coronavirus crisis began to worsen in early March, residents in communities across the U.S. quickly mobilized, creating ways to help their neighbors get groceries and prescriptions. Neighbors started checking in on each other on a more regular basis to see how they were doing.

Residents of the Ashburn Farm community in Loudoun County were no exception. They came together to support their neighbors and small businesses.

But when the crisis entered its second month, frustration and stories of lost hope began to fill social media posts across the country. Amy Hylton, who lives in Ashburn Farm, noticed a trend on social media where it seemed every newsfeed consisted of nothing but depressing or sad news.

As an escape from social media and to enjoy the spring weather, Hylton and her husband would take walks while respecting social distancing recommendations. On their walks, they started noticing rocks with special designs along the walking paths in the Ashburn Farm community of Ashburn.

Hylton later learned that neighbors had created a new way to keep people in a positive frame of mind. They were painting rocks and leaving them for community members to find along walking trails. The concept is similar to people putting teddy bears and other stuffed animals in windows, on porches and in trees. Families try to spot as many as they can.

In the case of Ashburn Farm, people started coloring rocks for people to spot. "Our family looks forward to our daily walks to see what new rocks we will discover every day," she said in an email to Patch.

Hylton and her husband wanted as many people in Ashburn to share in their discoveries. So this past weekend, Hylton and her husband started a Facebook page call We Are Ashburn where they post photos of the rocks with inspirational messages. They opened the page for neighbors to post other photos of artwork, nature and special messages that bring hope and happiness.

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The colored rocks "deserved to be showcased in an effort to spread some positivity and inspire others," Hylton said.

"It's great for the morale of our community. Posting it on social media allows people who might not be able to get out daily (elderly, sick, etc.) to enjoy these little pieces of artwork from the comfort of their home," she said.

Sharon Balda, who also lives in Ashburn Farm, started noticing the colored rocks a couple of weeks ago while out walking with her children. Each day, she would see more rocks. Her kids liked the idea so much that they began coloring their own rocks to add to the collection along the walking trails.

"I think people are dealing with the coronavirus crisis as best as they can. It’s a scary time for kids and adults so I think we are all just trying to remain calm and take it one day at a time," Balda said. "My kids are keeping busy with distance learning and I think that has helped to keep some sort or normalcy in their lives."

Her children designed rocks with messages that say, "Stay Safe," "You R Brave," "Love," "Be Kind," "Stay Strong," and "Hang in There." Other rocks have pictures of hearts and rainbows.

Hylton said Ashburn Farm is a community where people know each other. "I would definitely consider Ashburn Farm to be a very tight knit community," she said. "There's a sense of belonging and pride in our area."

Throughout the year, school and community events provide opportunities for residents to interact. The neighborhood also has plenty of trails for walking and biking.

"You will always see other families walking and everyone takes the time to smile or greet each other. These friendship rocks are just another testament to that," she said.

Check in with We Are Ashsburn on a regular basis to see photos of the friendship rocks discovered by residents across Ashburn.

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