Going for a walk is about to get more fun for the entire family with an initiative by the Ponoka Jubilee Library.
Inspired by a plan called the StoryWalk Project in the United States, library manager David Tremblay says they are hoping to add a fun feature at the Diamond Willow Trail, starting at the Scout Hall that is intended to inspire reading in children.
Working closely with Wes Amendt, director of community services for the town, Tremblay asked for permission to put 32 stakes along the trail that will eventually hold pages from children’s books.
“He (Wes) thought it would be a great addition that would add value to the path,” said Tremblay.
In the near future Tremblay will use industrial Velcro to secure laminated pages from a children’s book to these stakes. Each stake will have one or two pages from the book and as families walk down the path, they will be able to follow the story from start to finish.
“I thought it would be a beautiful fit because we have a beautiful pathway here,” he explained.
Some of the stakes have been ripped out recently and Tremblay wanted to inform residents about the project so that if they did see the stakes, to leave them there until the pages are ready.
He feels this will be a great way to get people walking and reading and hopes to have the first book ready for display before it snows. The project is relatively inexpensive; the cost involves stakes, books and the lamination. A community volunteer built the stakes.
Tremblay says the first stake will have the first page of a book and an explanation on the StoryWalk Project and the last stake will have a feedback questionnaire for families.