Families can now take story time on the go with StoryWalk, a new rotating installation unveiled last month along the Emerald Trail’s LaVilla link.
StoryWalk was made possible by Baptist Health, with support from the Library Foundation of Jacksonville and Groundwork Jacksonville to promote family time, physical activity and early literacy. It features 20 mounted displays along the Emerald Trail, each featuring the sequential pages of a children’s book, which will be changed every three months for the next two years.
“Health and education are both lifelong journeys that are not confined to clinics and classrooms,” said Baptist Health President and CEO Dr. Michael A. Mayo. “Our goal from the beginning in supporting the LaVilla Link has been for the trail to be a place where people can move more, connect more, learn more and enjoy more. This helps foster greater community health and well-being.”
The Jacksonville Public Library will selected the titles, the first of which is “Flower Garden,” written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt. Each display also includes prompts intended to inspire conversation and movement as families continue on, both along the trail and in the story.
“The Library’s mission is to enrich lives, build community and foster success by bringing, people, information and ideas together,” said Jacksonville Public Library Chief Librarian and Library Director Tim Rogers. “And that mission is brought to life with this gift from
Baptist Health to launch a new StoryWalk site on Jacksonville’s Emerald Trail. Children and families will enjoy reading and experiencing the ever-changing, interactive book exhibit in this beautiful outdoor environment for years to come.”
This is the city’s second active StoryWalk installation; the first is in the Historic Eastside neighborhood at A. Philip Randolph Heritage Park.
