New StoryWalk celebrates grand opening

Those who are enjoying a walk along the Greenbelt now have the opportunity to also enjoy a book at the same time.

The Sweetwater County Library System recently partnered with the Sweetwater County Library Foundation, the City of Green River, and the Green River Greenbelt Task Force to open a permanent StoryWalk in Green River. A ribbon cutting event for the grand opening of the StoryWalk was hosted on Tuesday.

A StoryWalk is a year-round display that allows readers to go through a book page-by-page while enjoying the outdoors. The Green River StoryWalk will feature a full picture book that will be switched out every few weeks, weather permitting.

Becky Iwen, Sweetwater County Library Youth Services Manager, approached the Library Foundation, Green River Parks and Recreation Director Katie Duncombe, and the Greenbelt Task Force with the idea of the StoryWalk and worked with all of them to get the project underway.

The project was paid for by the Library Foundation, an organization that supports library programs beyond what county tax dollars can fund. The City of Green River provided the concrete and installation.

"I love the mission of a StoryWalk – to combine reading and the great outdoors," Iwen said. "Providing literacy opportunities to families, children, and our whole community is one of the things I enjoy most."

Iwen said that each story will be in "picture book" format and that she has already obtained an impressive collection of titles, including seasonal books as well as classics.

"Many of the books we've obtained are award-winning books, and that include classics and new titles," she explained.

Recreation Director Katie Duncombe expressed the importance of multiple groups working together to make projects like the StoryWalk happen.

"I am excited more entities want to work together to accomplish projects within the community that benefit the community," she said. "Funding options increase when we can partner with other organizations for these kinds of projects, and it becomes easier regarding maintenance when multiple entities are sharing the responsibility."

The Sweetwater County Library and the City of Green River will work together to maintain the StoryWalk.

"We are thrilled to have so many great community partners contributing to the enhancement and improvement of our city," Duncombe said. "The unique addition of the StoryWalk enriches the Greenbelt Pathway by fostering education, physical health, and well-being, while strengthening our community's connection to the Greenbelt and its recreational opportunities."

Also on hand at the ribbon cutting event was Recreation Center Supervisor Katie Blood. Blood said she is looking forward to seeing the Recreation Center patrons enjoy a new exhibit while visiting the facility.

"With the StoryWalk being located along the Barbra Carrol Memorial Pathway, the recreation center patrons will have an added experience while visiting the facility," Blood said.

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