BURRILLVILLE – Amid news last week of a new, painted rock snake along a sidewalk in Warwick, Burrillville’s popular rock painting group is teaming up with the Parks & Recreation Department with a plan of their own.
Rock painters have started Bronco the Boa, a rock snake that will run along a walkway in Remington Park, adding color and fun to the area.
But unlike Warwick’s Jake the Snake, Bronco has another job: to help promote both the park, opened in 2020, and the local rocks group.
“The group reached out to me to ask if it was okay to do something similar to Jake the Snake in one our parks,” explained Burrillville Parks and Recreation Director Andrea Hall. “Remington has a nice paved walkway to the water through the woods, away from areas that need to be mowed.”
Residents are invited to contribute to the project and help Bronco grow by adding their own painted rocks in Bronco colors. A crate filled with rocks ready to decorate has been place at the community rock garden by the home of Roger Bourbonierre, organizer of the group, at 1183 Victory Highway.
It’s the latest trend in the Kindness Rocks movement, a hobby that’s grown internationally with an active local following. Rocks are painted in many fashions, from detailed, artistic scenes to simple, positive messages and hidden, with hopes to brighten the day of an unsuspecting passer-by.
Bourbonierre takes the message a step further with a variety of kindnesses, from Easter baskets, to small gifts and school supplies handed out to local children throughout the year.
“The idea is that a message can change someone’s day,” notes a message left with the hidden rocks. “It’s a simple thing that can mean the world to someone and just bring on a smile.”
Resident Caroline Hodson started off the new, “snake,” by painting the head, which was placed by a walking path at the Oakland park.
“Bronco the Boa could start at the entrance, go all the way to the water and loop back around,” said Hall, noting that the cute feature may bring more foot traffic to the town park.”Remington is a great park offering a pickle ball court, walking path to the water, canoe/kayak launch, sitting area at the water and in the park, and a street hockey rink. It is quite popular for hockey and pickle ball however it is a newer park and I thought it would be a good way to get folks to visit.”
To help Bronco grow, locals can add their own creation, or follow his progress on social media by joining Burrillville Rocks.
