Pedestrians are always welcome to hit the Salt Creek Trail between the Brown County YMCA and CVS Pharmacy, enjoying the paved path, the flowing waters of the creek, the playground and picnic tables along the way.
An addition to the trail now brings new activities and educational value to the walkway.
The Brown County Public Library partnered with Brown County Parks and Recreation to bring a Story Walk to life on the trail, which celebrated its grand opening on April 2.
The Story Walk features 18 panels on posts along the trail with early literacy elements built into each page for families who are outside doing movement activities.
There will be a total of three books featured on the trail this year. The spring choice is “After the Fall” by Dan Santat, which features the familiar character Humpty Dumpty, but with a much different ending than the classic nursery rhyme.
In this version, Mr. Dumpty faces his fear of falling off the wall by climbing up once more — then transforming to a bird and taking to the skies.
BCPL Executive Director Stori Snyder said this particular book is timely after the difficult times many have faced in light of the pandemic.
She hopes the story will help children process their feelings of fear and uncertainty they may have had and find resiliency and courage.
The panels focus on different parts of a book, the first panel on the trail introduces the story and objectives.
Every so many feet there is an interactive movement and story to read on the next panel.
Once children and families reach the end, there are more objectives to complete at home to continue the fun.
The idea was presented to Brown County Commissioners in October, Commissioner Diana Biddle saying she thought it was a “great idea” and that the commissioners were “100 percent supportive.”
A memorandum of understanding between parks and rec, the library and the commissioners for the Story Walk was approved at a commissioners meeting last December.
The signs are along the existing portion of the Salt Creek Trail, from CVS pharmacy, 292 S. Van Buren St., to the Brown County YMCA.
The self-guided Story Walks are placed along trails to “inspire parents, teachers, and caregivers to take young children outside for physical activity and learning at the same time,” the MOU states.
Providing opportunities for families and community members to practice literacy skills and continue to develop those skills is a goal for the library, the MOU continues.
Parks and recreation Director Mark Shields said that Snyder approached him about the idea in June last year.
Shields said in January that he thought it was a nice addition to the trail that will hopefully get kids more interested in reading.
This project is funded by a grant to the Brown County Public Library as well as Friends of BCPL, who paid for installation.
Whether it’s on a bike, scooter or on foot, pedestrians of all ages and reading levels are welcome to join in the fun on the trail and experience the magic of literature in the great outdoors.
