Story Walk encourages literacy and togetherness

A walk with a loved one, exploring the outdoors, and finding treasures is not only the plot of the first story installed at Lampe Park, but it’s the message driving the Douglas County Library’s Story Walk project.

“Story Walks are becoming a national program and encourages people to get outside together while promoting reading,” said Douglas County Library Director Timothy Deghelder.

The grand opening for the Story Walk was Tuesday with the Douglas County Community Center’s Sagebrush Sprouts Preschool being the first children to walk the path and read “Hold This” written by Carolyn Cory Scoppettone and illustrated by Priscilla Alpaugh.

Led by former Douglas County Library board member and member of the Library Gala committee, Starla Doughty, the children followed the path, counting each page and eager to find out what happened next, while stomping in the leaves just like in the story.

In “Hold This,” a girl and her father go for a walk and they experience all the sights, sounds, and feels of the woods. Along the way the girl finds treasures and asks her father for help, but he encourages her to carry what she can. The girls stumbles, but finds the many treasures of nature, her ability to pick herself up, and the true treasure of a hand to hold.

“It was a perfect first story and so fitting for the change of the season,” said Douglas County Library Board Vice Chairwoman Jimayne Merkow. “It will be fun to see what stories are enjoyed next.”

The Story Walk was spearheaded by Deghelder after he first heard about the idea in Missouri and thanks to donations made during the Library’s 2023 Gala and the help of Douglas County Parks and Recreation was made possible locally.

“It was a great first turn out and we think it’s going to be a great addition to our already beautiful park,” said Deghelder.

Deghelder plans to change the story every 30-45 days with a variety of themes, including holidays and other special events.

Gardnerville resident and Friends of Douglas County Library member Marynell Hartnett said she enjoyed the Story Walk.

 “The type and placement of the boards are easy to read and follow for all ages and it’s a great little walk,” she said.

Hartnett said the Story Walk is not the only way the library encourages the public to come together, but the library itself is a great place to gather.

“We have such a great new director,” said Hartnett. “He has made the library not a ‘shhh, be quiet place,’ but has made it a community gathering place.”

Hartnett said there are many happenings offered at the library, a teen room and teen council, movie Saturday, and different interest classes, such as crafts.

Deghelder said he has other projects in the works and plans to extend the Story Walk to other parks within the community with his eyes set on Aspen Park next.

In the meantime, Deghelder said sponsors are welcome and the public can request stories by contacting the Douglas County Library.

“We want to thank the donations provided during the Gala that made this possible, the Douglas County Parks and Recreation for installing the displays and their help in the upkeep from here on out, everyone at the library and Friends of the Douglas County Library, and everyone who came out and plans to come out to participate in the walk,” said Deghelder. “We are looking forward to this and hope it’s enjoyed.”

Deghelder said he plans to feature a Christmas book next about a train and its trip to the North Pole.