Dozens of residents and visitors gathered at Dover City Park recently for the dedication of StoryWalk®, the newest addition to the park made possible through a partnership between the city and the Dover Public Library. The library's children's librarian, Dani Gustavich, coordinated the effort.
The Dover Rotary Club provided complimentary doughnuts and apple cider for all.
Laminated pages from a children's book are attached to 17 permanent signposts, which were installed along the outdoor path around the pond at the northeast end of the park. As participants walk down the trail, they are directed to the next pages in the story. A local business, organization, family or individual sponsored each signpost made by Wooster company, Envirosigns.
Intended for young readers from infants to school age, StoryWalk® utilizes 32-page books that can be changed every week, every month or as often as the library chooses to keep the trail a constant destination for residents and visitors who want to enjoy the beauty of the park, a good story and quality time spent together.
Developed by Montpelier, Vermont resident Anne Ferguson with help from Rachel Senechal, program and development coordinator at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, StoryWalk® trails are in all 50 states as well as 11 other countries including Bermuda, Canada, England, Germany, Malaysia, Pakistan and Russia.
The inaugural book chosen for Dover's StoryWalk® was “Sneeze, Big Bear, Sneeze!” by Maureen Wright and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand, an Ohio native who resides in suburban Cincinnati.
Hillenbrand was on hand for the ribbon cutting. He demonstrated how a book character is developed over time and shared early sketches of Big Bear. He lingered after the ribbon cutting to sign books and talk with young readers and their families.
“We are so blessed to live in a community that supports initiatives like StoryWalk®,” library director Jim Gill said. “This idea came on the radar around the first of the year. Dani has brought a lot of passion and new ideas to the children's department.”
Gustavich said, “This book is one of my favorite books to read in the fall during story time. It was the perfect book to feature for StoryWalk®.”
Sponsors include in no particular order: Friends of the Dover Public Library; Union Hospital; Dover Rotary Club; Dover Kiwanis Club, Canal Dover Association; Envirosigns; Rober, Connie and Dani Gustavich in honor of Aiden, Carri Overcasher and Connie Finton; Dover Public Library staff; Dan and Julie Warther in honor of Cogan, Noelle and Sydney; Richard and Carol Harman in memory of Dr. Frank Harman and Dorothy Mae Harman; Doug and Linda Davis in honor of their children Krista and Kurt and their grandchildren; McKeever Decorating Company in honor of Marie McKeever and her love of reading; Baba and Dedo Kochan in honor of Simon Schlafer; Karen Miller, Tom Dillie, Amy, Trevor and Josh Howenstine, Dean and JoAnn Miller, and Beth and Megan Barker; and the Roger Gill family in memory of Rev. Jennifer M. Gill.
Credits:
A GREAT DAY IN DOVER, OHIO