Library Story Trail

With the arrival of the warmer season and the buzz of summer, Westerville’s parks are alive with activity. Among the City’s many unique offerings is the Library Story Trail, a collaborative initiative between the Westerville Public Library and the City of Westerville.

One of the three Library Story Trails can be found at Johnston-McVay Park, 480 S. Hampstead Rd. This captivating experience allows children to explore designated parks while immersing themselves in a thoughtfully selected book curated by the Westerville Public Library team.

“I love how each story and reading experience is unique. It may be cold and rainy one day, with the sun shining and birds chirping the next. Each page and prompt engages all five senses and encourages you to be mindful of the world around you,” said Tamara Murray, Westerville Public Library Marketing Manager. “You might be asked to describe what you smell or what you hear. You may spend time looking for a specific pattern or texture, or you may go on a hunt for hidden creatures. Each visit is a grand adventure waiting to unfold.”

Every suggested activity along the trail serves as an opportunity to cultivate early literacy skills, which encompass children’s knowledge about reading and writing before they formally learn to read or write.

This adventure includes an informal structure, with the following steps:

1. Stop at each station.

2. Look at the picture.

3. Read the story together.

4. Complete the activity.

5. Move on to the next page!

For more information and to visit one of the three local Library Story Trails, visit westervillelibrary.org/story-trail.