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First Lady Fran DeWine and others stand
at the entrance of the new Storybook Trail in Deer Creek State Park
after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
(Mt. Sterling, Ohio)—Through a partnership with the Ohio Governor’s
Imagination Library, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and the
Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), First Lady Fran DeWine
opened a new Storybook Trail in Deer Creek State Park today. After
an official?ribbon-cutting ceremony, children and families walked
with the First Lady on the new trail to mark the celebration.
“Experiencing a Storybook Trail gives children and their families
the opportunity to take an adventure inside a great book while
experiencing an outside adventure at one of our great State parks!”
said First Lady DeWine. “I hope this new trail gives Ohio families –
and visitors – new memories that will last a lifetime.”
Within driving distance of Columbus, Deer Creek State Park is set
in rich farming country. The park’s resort, marina, large
campground, and 18-hole golf course facilities blend perfectly with
outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, camping, and hiking.
The story featured on the park’s new Storybook Trail is “Drop” by
Emily Kate Moon. On the child-height panels lining this trail,
children can follow the story of the cutest drop of water as she
takes readers on an adventure through the water cycle.
“Storybook Trails offer families another place to enjoy quality
time with their friends and family, while encouraging the little
ones to read and learn about nature,” said Director Mertz. “We are
excited to provide more opportunities to link literacy with healthy
living through our Storybook Trails. There really is no better place
than an Ohio State Park to explore, learn, and really appreciate
everything the great outdoors has to offer.”
First Lady DeWine encourages all Ohioans to explore the Storybook
Trails at state parks and enroll children under the age of five in
the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library.
There are currently 324,887 Ohio children enrolled in the Ohio
Governor’s Imagination Library, which provides one free book every
month to children enrolled in the program from birth to age five.
Any Ohio child in this age group is eligible to receive the books,
which are paid for by the state and local county partners. If a
parent or grandparent enrolls a child at birth, that child could
receive all 60 books in the program. To learn more about the Ohio
Governor's Imagination Library and how to participate, visit
OhioImaginationLibrary.org.
ODNR will be installing more Storybook Trails this summer and fall.
To find a local story trail near you, use this interactive map. |
