Douglas County Library installs Story Walk

Lampe Park visitors can now read, walk, and play thanks to the installation of a Story Walk provided by the Douglas County Library.

Featuring its first book, “Hold This” written by Carolyn Cory Scoppettone and illustrated by Priscilla Alpaugh, a ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for  11 a.m. Tuesday at the park near the playground.

“Story Walks are becoming a national program to promote literacy, reading, health, and exercise in communities,” said Douglas County Library Director Timothy Deghelder.

According to Let’s Move in Libraries, more than 300 public libraries have offered an outdoor story walk program since 2017.

Deghelder first heard about the program while he lived in Missouri.

“I want to duplicate it here because it’s a great way to get the public out and enjoy something together and we have such beautiful parks here,” he said.

Story Walks can vary, but typically pages from a children’s book are installed in a viewing kiosk along a path such as a park or trail.

As families or individuals stroll the path, the reader is directed to the next page of the story. Pages are often accompanied with additional activities or information.

Deghelder said the Story Walk at Lampe Park was made possible by donations made during the Library’s 2023 Gala and the help of Douglas County Parks and Recreation.

“We are grateful for all the donations we received during the Gala it has helped fund the project, and the Douglas County Parks and Recreation have helped us build the display and will help with maintaining it,” said Deghelder.

Deghelder said sponsors for future books are welcome and the public can request stories by contacting the Douglas County Library.

“The goal is to change the story every 30-45 days and to accommodate holidays, special events, things like that,” he said. “The thing with children’s books is the imagination is endless, so we can do almost anything.”

Deghelder said sponsors will have a special page on the display thanking them for their support.