New ‘StoryWalk’ display in Hartford’s Colt Park will promote English and Spanish literacy

Rebecca Lurye, Hartford Courant
·2 min read

An interactive children’s book display, known as a StoryWalk, is coming to Colt Park this fall through a partnership by Hartford Public Library, Hartford Athletic and Cigna to promote literacy in English and Spanish.

A series of 20 podiums with Plexiglas cases will each display one or two pages of a book in English and Spanish, and challenge kids to complete a physical activity while walking to the next “page.” Each quarter, the library will choose another story and set of activities.

The permanent installation will begin at the entrance of Dillon Stadium, then continue onto Masseek Street and Van Block Avenue, where a new gravel walkway will run along the east side of the youth soccer field. A grand opening is planned for mid-October.

Hartford was previously home to a number of StoryWalks, a concept developed by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vt., with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. They have been installed in every U.S. state and 12 countries.

Cigna is paying for the $25,000 project, which will be maintained by Hartford Athletic and the library. That includes a contingency fund to support the project for the next three years.

“Putting literacy and physical fitness at the forefront, this initiative provides families in the Hartford community with a fun and educational activity that is available to everyone,” the partners wrote in an Aug. 31 letter to City Councilwoman Marilyn Rossetti, chair of the public works, parks, recreation and environment committee.

In a city council resolution being introduced Monday, Council President Maly Rosado and members Rossetti and Shirley Surgeon, all Democrats, are asking the city to grant the organizations permission to install the podiums on public property.

The first podium has already been placed at Dillon Stadium. When it’s complete, participants who get to the final page will be directed to take a quiz to win prizes from the Hartford Athletic.

Rebecca Lurye can be reached at rlurye@courant.com.