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Winchester Community StoryWalks®

storywalk banner

 

A Perfect Time for a StoryWalk®

StoryWalk® is an innovative and delightful way for children — and adults! — to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Read a children's book as you stroll down a path or trail. The whole family can get fresh air, a little exercise, and read an interactive story together. Promoting movement literacy and outdoor exploration in the Winchester community, StoryWalks® allow for families to build literacy skills and further sensory engagement.

StoryWalk® was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont in 2007 with a grant for $250 and a brilliant idea. Since then, StoryWalks® have been installed in 50 states and 13 countries including, Germany, Canada, England, Bermuda, Russia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and South Korea.

 

In our community, we have five StoryWalk® locations where stories change every three months. 

  1. The first location at The Handley Library allows you to walk around the small, paved Mike Foreman Rotary Reading Garden, while enjoying various seating with room for strollers and wheelchairs. Sponsored by Winchester Campaign for Grade Level Reading.
  2. The second location at The Bowman Library. It is set along the Bowman Lake Trail, which is a path designed for pedestrians that is 6 feet wide. The trail is a loop that starts and ends at the library and borders a local community. There are often ducks and other wildlife found on the trail that is ½ mile in length and good for strollers and wheelchairs. Sponsored by Frederick County Parks and Recreation
  3. The third location at the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum on Cork Street in Winchester can enjoy a StoryWalk® on the open-air 4th floor, as well as get an amazing bird’s eye view of downtown Winchester. This is the only location where the entrance to the StoryWalk® requires admission.
  4. LOCATION CURRENTLY UNDER REPAIR. The fourth location at Rose Hill Park on Jones Road in Winchester is set along part of a 1.2-mile interpretive hiking trail. There are also bathrooms, a picnic shelter, and a small playground for public use, not to mention ample parking. Sponsored by Frederick County Parks and Recreation and Museum of the Shenandoah Valley.
  5. The fifth location at Blandy Experimental Farm follows a walking route at the Native Plant Trail meadow. The new StoryWalk®  route starts where the Native Plant Trail meadow meets the woodland. Look for a marquee sign, then follow the gravel path to the right towards a stacked stone wall. You'll wind through a warm season grass meadow, cross a wetland boardwalk, and pass under a grove of mysterious trees as the path leads on towards the Hewlett Lewis Overlook Pavilion. The route is ~0.3 miles long and follows the gravel Native Plant Trail across gently rolling terrain. Once you've finished the book, continue on to complete the 0.6 mile Native Plant Trail Loop or retrace your steps and read the book in reverse!

Each location is a slightly different experience, and you can make a day out of visiting a StoryWalk® at any of our locations by bringing a picnic lunch, meeting up with friends, and visiting other area attractions at the same time. Enjoy the educational prompts paired with our stories that encourage developmental skill-building and family engagement, too. More locations will be coming soon!

The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.

Pictures from our StoryWalks®

StoryWalk Pictures

 

StoryWalk® Location Map

Handley Library

Mike Foreman Rotary Reading Garden

100 West Piccadilly Street

Winchester, VA 22601

 

Current Story

 The Feelings Book / El Libro de los Sentimientos by Todd Parr

A bilingual picture book that celebrates the range of moods and feelings we have.

The Feelings Book by Todd Parr Book Cover

Coming Soon: Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz

 

Bowman Library

871 Tasker Road

Stephens City, VA 22655

 

 

Current Story

Miguel's Community Garden by JaNay Brown-Wood

Miguel is having a party and he needs the sunflowers from his garden to share with his friends. Can you help him find them? After your Story Walk visit, come to the Bowman Library Children’s Room and pick up an activity kit and grow your own sunflowers.

Miguel's Community Garden by JaNay Brown-Wood Book Cover

Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum

19 West Cork Street

Winchester, VA 22601

Current Story

Days and Days / Dias y Dias by Ginger Foglesong Guy

A bilingual picture book that introduces readers to basic seasonal concepts and vocabulary.

Days and Days Dias y dias by Ginger Foglesong Guy Book Cover

Coming Soon: I Wish You Happiness by Michael Wong 

Rose Hill Park

LOCATION CURRENTLY UNDER REPAIR FOR NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS.

1871 Jones Road

Winchester, VA 22602

 

 

Current Story

Coming Soon: Book TBA

 

Blandy Experimental Farm

400 Blandy Farm Lane

Boyce, VA 22620

Current Story

Forest: ¡Salvemos Los Bosques! by Brendan Kearney

This bilingual children's book tells the story of the rainforest adventures of Finn and his dog Skip.

Forest by Brendan Kearney Book Cover

 

Coming Soon: Book TBA