Literacy and Recreation Program now available to Harris County Residents
Houston, TX – The Harris County Public Library System, Fairbanks Branch Library, in collaboration with Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle and the Bane Park Recreation are proud to announce the installation of HCPL’s first StoryWalk®. The community can enjoy this new activity literacy program at Bane Park (9600 W. Little York Road, Houston, TX 77040). The StoryWalk® is located along the trail starting just before the children’s climbing rock north of the playground.
StoryWalks® are located in all fifty states in the United States and in eleven other countries. A StoryWalk® is an innovative way for communities to combine literacy skills and healthy exercise. The Fairbanks Branch StoryWalk® at Bane Park consists of signs placed along the main trail taking participants through the pages of a popular children’s book. There are 15 signs leading walkers around the pond and through the pages of “Cat’s Colors” written and Illustrated by Airlie Anderson and published by Child’s Play (International) Ltd. In addition to sharing the story, families can enjoy engaging is suggested early literacy activities as they follow along through the pages of the story. Brent Hancock, Bane Park Manager, stated, “This first-time partnership between Bane Park and Fairbanks Branch Library is now providing families with an additional activity that promotes both mental and physical exercise while enjoying nature”.
Melinda Brinkley, Assistant Branch Manager and Children’s Services Librarian for Fairbanks branch added, “StoryWalks® are a fun, interactive way for families to read together while a
lso enjoying the great outdoors. This program also works perfectly into our current need for social distancing, providing important early literacy opportunities for families in a safe environment. Libraries are changing and are no longer merely buildings filled with books. We continue to provide literacy programming in our communities and model that reading is for everyone. Libraries are places of inclusion. There is something for everyone at their library”.
The goal of StoryWalk® is to enhance health and encourage early literacy in families. It is one of many early literacy services provided by the Harris County Public Library. StoryWalk® is a free activity for all Harris County residents and visitors. It is accessible during normal park hours.
Join us for a StoryWalk®
Fairbanks Branch Library is a part of the Harris County Public Library System and is an agency of county government. The Harris County Public Library System provides support services for 26 branches offering resources, e-resources, early literacy programming as well as programming for children, teens, adults, seniors as well as citizenship and ESL language classes. For information about the wide range of library services available to all county residents, visit: www.hcpl.net or follow us on Twitter @harriscountypl Facebook at www.facebook.com/harriscountypl and Instagram www.instagram.com/harriscountypl .
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition (VBPC) and the Kellogg Hubbard Library. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.
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