Shirley Mars #36486/1333 Tallmadge Road, Brimfield said, “I first learned about the LFL while visiting our daughter’s family in Boston. Many of the parks had LFLs that were constantly being visited, and I was intrigued by them. I thought that if they could work in Boston, why not in Brimfield and Suffield?” Located in the northeast square of 43 & 18 (Tallmadge Road), it has an easy, spacious parking area and shaded seating to peruse selections.
#17708 591 Palisades Drive in Akron
Diane Chambers & Don Parsisson #17708/591 Palisades Drive, Akron told me, “I think it was a story on NPR, just as LFLs were becoming popular. Both Don and I are readers, and we thought it would be something fun to do for the neighborhood. It took us over a year to finally get it up and running, but that was because Don designed and built it over time.” Another of the hand-made LFL’s and the first one I ever visited. Theirs gave me the impetus to get mine done!
I then asked what enticed them to become a steward and when their grand opening was. Jenny Stevenson #41456/165 South Hayden Parkway, Hudson answered, “Our son had a bumpy start to reading in Kindergarten. He became quickly discouraged and had a difficult time focusing and sitting for long periods at his desk in school. He loved visiting the LFL in our old neighborhood and was excited to pick out books. He had no problem focusing on a book while he stretched out in the grass outside. We started taking books outside and reading at the park, in our tree house and around camp fires. This seemed to really motivate our son to read more. This experience for our inspiration for becoming stewards. Our grand opening was June, 2016.”
Cheryl Hoover NUMC Preschool #26381/852 West Bath Road, Cuyahoga Falls “I opened a LFL last year on the play garden of Northampton Christian Preschool where I am the Director. It’s been a great way to incorporate literacy into our outdoor play space.” Set in a fenced in play area adjacent to and up the hill from the Northampton United Methodist Church. It has a bench to decide on and used to have the Root Café just below it in the church, but I have
#2719 Woodside Drive in Akron
Carter and Lily pull up some grass and dive in. Shirley Mars “I gave a list of possible projects to the Field High School Health Professions Affinity Club (HPAC) and the LFL was one of the suggestions. They were looking for a project that would promote a healthy lifestyle, advocate literacy and build a sense of community. They readily chose the LFL project and I was excited to support them in any way I could, so when they asked if I would be the steward for the Brimfield LFL, I eagerly accepted. The grand
#41456 165 South Hayden Parkway in Hudson
#26381 852 West Bath Road in Cuyahoga Falls
opening/ribbon cutting ceremony for both the Brimfield and Suffield LFLs was on May 9, 2016.”
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read that it closed in February. Sad to hear, I attended several quite enjoyable poetry readings there. Primarily children’s books with some young teen, as well. Peter Wilson #2719/Woodside Drive in Riverwoods, Akron told me “We created our own. I involved a neighbor in designing and constructing ours. We first built a model out of corrugated cardboard, made modifications, and then built the finished product out of plywood.” This gorgeous LFL is set near a walking path in a park setting. Eclectic reads with ample space. Set your GPS for 1227 Woodsview for the best navigation. Abby Greer & Amanda Edwards Kent Time Bank #10376/Dan Smith Memorial Park, by Bricco’s in downtown Kent ”Amanda found a generous donor for the materials and the Kent Community TimeBank paid time credits to a member to build it.” Continued on page 31
volume 12 | 2016 • www.aroundkent.net