Two outdoor story walks coming to Friday Harbor

The library shares an update about outdoor programming coming to two Friday Harbor parks this spring and summer.

The San Juan Island Library, in partnership with Island Rec, is offering two story walks that will be open to the public Memorial Day through Labor Day.

A story walk is a creative way for people to enjoy literacy and the outdoors at the same time. Laminated pages from picture books are attached to signs that are placed along popular walking paths for children and adults to see and interact with as they explore the outdoor spaces. Suggested activities that go along with the story are featured on each sign to promote healthy movement and exercise.

The StoryWalk Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Story walks have been installed in 50 states and more than 13 countries, including Canada, Malaysia, England, and South Korea. San Juan Island Library’s first community story walk installation was in partnership with the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank in October 2021.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Island Rec this year to bring our second story walk project to Friday Harbor,” said Melina Lagios, San Juan Island Library Youth Services Manager. “Linde Park and the Family Park at the Fairgrounds are popular destinations for our local families. Children of all ages, especially preschoolers, love following along with the stories and finding the next sign and activity, which is a fantastic way to help build their early literacy skills while being on the move and physically active.”

At John O. Linde Community Park, enjoy the story of Galápagos Girl/Galapagueña and learn how Valentina helps protect her fragile island’s wildlife and natural beauty. The story is inspired by the real-life childhood of Valentina Cruz and is both educational and inspirational for all ages. The text is presented in English and Spanish.

Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea is the book selection for the story walk at the Family Park at the Fairgrounds. This sing-song rhyming story features different ocean animals and is wonderful for families with toddlers and preschoolers.

Both story walks were made possible through grant funding from the Women’s Fund of the San Juan Island Community Foundation.

You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.