Brook Olsen, Youth Services Programming Coordinator, poses next to the intro sign for the upcoming StoryWalkTM.
By Erin Baber
The Garland County Library (GCL) and Hot Springs Parks & Trails present their first StoryWalk™ starting October 1, on the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail beginning at the intersection of Seneca and Adams Streets.
What is a StoryWalk™? A StoryWalk™ is a fun way to combine reading and the outdoors! From the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, co-creators of this project, “The StoryWalk™ Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.”
Ferguson was inspired to encourage parents or guardians, to become more involved in their child’s reading progress while also encouraging physical activity by getting people out to popular parks and walking paths. The books were strategically chosen for children under seven years old so someone would have to accompany them as they read/walked from page to page.
With the help of Rachel Senechal, formerly of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, and many others this innovative reading program was brought to reality. Now, over 12 foreign countries and all 50 states have participated since 2007, when the StoryWalk™ project was first created.
The GCL is proud to present this StoryWalk™in hopes to continue with the project’s mission to promote early literacy, physical activity, and quality time in nature with family. Please enjoy Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert and along the way collect leaves, twigs, acorns, and anything that catches your eye to create your own leaf man. Then share your experience and creation with us on the Garland County Community Facebook page.
Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. For more information about StoryWalk™ visit www.kellogghubbard.org/storywalk.
Learn more about the Garland County Library and all its services and offerings at www.gclibrary.com, 501-623-4161, or in person at 1427 Malvern Avenue in Hot Springs.
Erin Baber is Public Relations Coordinator at the Garland County Library.
