Literacy in the Wild – 10 Story Trails in Central Ohio
Story Trails have been popping up in local parks all over Columbus and we are here for it. These Story Trails are an educational activity that places pages of a children’s story along a popular walking route in your community in order to create a fun and engaging way to experience literacy in the wild.
Alum Creek State Park – The Storybook Trail
The Storybook Trail at Alum Creek State Park is a half-mile, interactive loop that combines the fun of reading with outdoor exploration. The trail is lined with pages from “In the Trees, Honeybees,” and early literacy questions have been included on the pages to get you and your little one thinking and expanding on what you read. After you walk the trail you could easily walk over and spend some time on one of the two playgrounds that over look Alum Creek Lake or spend some time dipping your toes in the water.
Located near the north end of the park beach.
Friendship Park, Gahanna – The Story Trail
The Story Trail at Friendship Park is presented by Gahanna Parks & Recreation, Columbus Metropolitan Library Gahanna Branch, and Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools. Each year the Story Trail features a different piece of work written and illustrated by Gahanna students and serves as an interactive nature walk, combining nature exploration and early literacy interaction. In addition to the Story Trail, the park also offers a fun little place to go creeking and an opportunity to play on the playground.
Located at 150 Oklahoma Ave. Walk past the playground and head towards the pencil bench. The bench is situated at the beginning of the Story Trail.
Hannah Park, Gahanna – The Story Trail
Hannah Park is another lovely park in Gahanna that features a Story Trail, a fun playground, a pond stocked with fish, walking trails, and ball fields. The Story Trail is located across from the playground on a path that winds around the pond.
Located at 6547 Clark State Rd. Look for the pond.
C. Ray Buck Park, Grandview -The Grandview Heights Public Library’s StoryWalk®
The Grandview Heights Public Library and Grandview Heights Parks & Recreation collaborated to present the StoryWalk located at C. Ray Buck Park. Take a stroll on the StoryWalk and stop at each panel that is spaced out on a loop that begins and ends at a little playground.
Located at 1280 Goodale Blvd.
Wyman Woods, Grandview –The Grandview Heights Public Library’s StoryWalk®
The Grandview Heights Public Library and Grandview Heights Parks & Recreation collaborated to install a second StoryWalk at Wyman Woods. The stories change periodically, so check back in every so often to see if a new story has been placed. While you are there, spend sometime on the playground, swings, or in the fields.
Located at 1520 Goodale Blvd.
Fancyburg Park, Upper Arlington – The StoryWalk
Visit the playground at Fancyburg Park to read the latest StoryWalk Story, “Lola Plants a Garden,” by Anna McQuinn. Each StoryWalk panel is spaced out on a loop around the playground and has extension questions to build your child’s early literacy skills.
Located at 3375 Kioka Ave. Park in the parking lot and head for the playground.
Johnston-McVay Park, Westerville – The Storybook Trail
Westerville Parks and Recreation collaborated with the Westerville Public Library to bring a Storybook Trail to the new Johnston-McVay Park. The book that is featured from May to July 2021 is “How to Find a Fox” by Nilah Margruder. The book changes two more times this year, so be sure to stop back every so often to check out the new book. While you are there, carve out some time to spend on the playground and in the natural play area.
Located at 480 S. Hempstead Rd.
Columbus Metro Park – Story Trails
Story Trails are popping up in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks and the best place to check for updates is on the parks specific Facebook page. So far there are Story Trails located at Blendon Woods, Sharon Woods, and Highbanks Metro Parks.
There are also quite a few temporary Story Walks that we stumble upon when we are out exploring new parks, so always keep your eyes peeled for an unexpected way to experience literacy in the wild.
Have the best time exploring literacy in the wild!