Kiwanis Recreation Park StoryWalk opens Aug. 30

Chad Felton, The News-Herald, Willoughby, Ohio
·2 min read

Aug. 27—Morley Library, the Lake County General Health District, the city of Painesville, Friends of Morley Library and Boy Scout Troop 62 are collaborating to celebrate the grand opening of the Kiwanis Recreation Park StoryWalk on Aug. 30.

The free, family-friendly event kicks off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. followed by "Story Time" with the Painesville Fire Department at 6.

According to the 2023-2025 Lake County Community Health Improvement Plan, the initiative was identified as a strategy to impact both early childhood literacy and the need for improved physical activity.

In April, Morley Library received an Ohio Library Services and Technology Act Open Grant totaling $4,999 for equipment, and Health District staff pursued local funding to ensure completion of the $5,800 project.

Friends of Morley Library provided additional funding support, and the Painesville Parks and Recreation Department and Troop 62 assisted in the installation of StoryWalk.

Posts along StoryWalk will have two pages from "Hiking Day" by Anne Rockwell in each frame, officials noted, and the entire book will be framed on the trail along with information about opportunities for learning activities and early literacy development.

The title was chosen by Morley's Children's Department Manager Baladine Culver who additionally prepared sheets for display.

Each quarter, library staff will change the book on the trail to coincide with the seasons, and to reflect local history or the different cultures and languages in the county.

Staff will also hold several events each year to help raise awareness about the trail and to encourage Lake County residents of all ages to use StoryWalk and to stay active in Painesville.

The first StoryWalk was created in 2007 by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, who wished to see a boost in community fitness and reading with the aid of visually engaging and ever-changing posts.

To date, StoryWalk sites are installed in all 50 states and 12 countries.

Kiwanis Recreation Park is located at 301 Latimore Drive.

For more information, call 440-352-3383 or visit www.morleylibrary.org. To learn more about StoryWalk, visit www.lcghd.org/storywalk/.