Northside, KLT team up on StoryWalk site
(Courtesy photo) A trio of Northside Elementary students pose by a page of a book added to a new StoryWalk site at the school.
(Courtesy photo) Volunteers measure one of the storyboards for the new StoryWalk added at Northside Elementary.
(Courtesy photo) Northside Elementary students and volunteers gather as they prepare to install the new StoryWalk at the school.
Kaniksu Land Trust teamed up with Northside School to create a permanent StoryWalk location at the Northside’s playground on Colburn Culver Road.
KLT and the East Bonner County Library District have been piloting temporary StoryWalk projects around the greater Sandpoint region over the past two years with the intent to provide young readers and their families an opportunity to read a children’s book as they walk from page to page, gaining health benefits while having a great time. The response from the community was so positive that KLT pursued a grant from the Land Trust Alliance to build three sets of kiosks to house permanent story walks at their most popular locations. The kiosks were designed for longevity by a Sandpoint area craftsman, constructed from locally-sourced cedar, and carefully installed by community volunteers.
Library Director Ann Nichols shared her enthusiasm for the project in a recent statement.
“Introducing people to reading as they explore the outdoors allows a deeper understanding of nature and the written word,” she said in the statement. “Many people benefit by reading and discussing the same book with others who have walked the same trail. Not only does this program allow people to read, it also gets them physically active and engaged with their natural surroundings.”
Northside School’s Story Walk will host rotating stories throughout the year, thanks to energetic librarian Jamie Parnell. Jamie worked tirelessly with Regan Plumb: Land Protection Specialist for Kaniksu Land Trust to bring this incredible resource to Northside Elementary. On Friday, December 1st, Kevin Davis, Monica McKibben, Lon Parnell, Jamie, Perky Smith-Hagadone and Regan worked collaboratively to install 16 kiosks around the perimeter of the playground. Students helped by setting up the 4 x 4 posts and other components by each hole. The entire installation only took a few hours due to Jamie’s coordination efforts.
On Monday, students were happily running from page to page to read the first story Jamie had already installed. The staff of Northside Elementary hopes to use these kiosks to promote books, as well as, student writing, art, science, and PE activities. Jamie sees this donation as a gift to Northside Elementary but also a treasure for the surrounding community. All are welcome to enjoy the content supported by these kiosks.
Additional Story Walks can be found at Dover City Park and at McNearney Park in Ponderay. These stories are continually updated through a partnership between East Bonner County Library’s Children’s Services and Kaniksu Land Trust. Individuals, families and groups are invited and encouraged to take advantage of all these permanent Story Walks all year long.
Information: Suzanne Tugman, Kaniksu Land Trust, 208-263-9471