Uplifting colorful words offer encouragement on Middlesex Greenway during pandemic

Uplifting colorful words offering encouragement – “Live, Laugh, Love,” “Stay Strong,” “Be Kind,” “You can do it,” “Keep Going” and “Smile” – were written in chalk on The Middlesex Greenway in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The Middlesex Greenway provides a 10-foot wide, paved trail suitable for walking, biking and jogging, which is allowed during the state’s Stay at Home order issued on March 21 by the governor in an effort to flatten the curve of COVID-19.

The words were written as local municipalities encouraged the “Chalk Your Walk” community initiative, which was done nationwide, to draw inspiring art or write encouraging messages on driveways or sidewalks with chalk.

The Middlesex Greenway is a picturesque open space resource within the communities of Metuchen, Edison and Woodbridge, according to the county website.

Situated on a historic portion of the Lehigh Valley rail corridor, this 3.5-mile long, 42-acre corridor was purchased by the County of Middlesex in 2002 as a rails-to-trails project for recreational use. It is also part of the East Coast Greenway, a developing trail system spanning nearly 3,000 miles between Canada and Key West, according to the website.