Fourth StoryWalk project installed at Heritage Lake

HERITAGE LAKE — A new StoryWalk installation is coming to Putnam County. Soon families and children will be able to jointly enjoy a story and the great outdoors, this time at Heritage Lake.

The Heritage Lake Community StoryWalk will open April 8. The installation is located at the playground near the Heritage Lake Marina and Sahm’s Haven restaurant.

StoryWalks are an innovative way for children — and adults — to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Laminated pages from a children’s book are placed in metal displays, which are installed along an outdoor path.

As walkers stroll down the trail, they are directed to the next page in the story.

StoryWalk was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vt., and developed with the help of Rachel Senechal, formerly of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

In late 2020, the Putnam County StoryWalk Project was created as a coalition of local organizations interested in seeing StoryWalks placed throughout Putnam County. The PCSP comprises many partners, including the Putnam County Public Library, Purdue Extension-Putnam County, Putnam County Community Foundation and many more.

The Heritage Lake Community StoryWalk was funded through a grant from the Putnam County Community Foundation and additional support from Property Manager Ken Rozelle and the Heritage Lake Property Owners Association. The PCCF additionally funded the Reelsville and Roachdale Community StoryWalks.

“We are incredibly grateful to the PCCF for helping us make this dream a reality,” Youth Services Manager Krista Mullinnix said. “StoryWalks bring the books that children love into their communities. We are so excited to hear from families who have visited these locations and enjoyed the stories.”

Combining play with learning, StoryWalks are an important early literacy tool for Putnam County children. The Putnam County Public Library will trade out books seasonally, so there are new stories to enjoy throughout the year. StoryWalks are also a way for families, children and adults to enjoy the outdoors while also enjoying a story.

“Now that spring is here, We are really excited to open our fourth StoryWalk installation for children across Putnam County to enjoy,” Library Director Matt McClelland said. “However, the work is only beginning. The library and our community partners would like to extend an open request for donations of either time or funding to ensure this project can continue for many years to come.”

To get involved with the Putnam County StoryWalk project, contact the library at director@pcpl21.org.

To enjoy even more stories and parks, visit the Edgar and Betty Bayliff StoryWalk at the Cloverdale Community Park, the Reelsville Community StoryWalk at the Reelsville Community Center and Ball Diamonds and the Roachdale Community StoryWalk at Roachdale Elementary.