HOULTON, Maine — An Aroostook County nutrition educator is spearheading an outdoor learning program aimed at getting families outside and exercising together.
Jennie Schools, a nutrition educator in Maine for the federally funded SNAP-Ed assistance program, is putting the pieces together for a story trail in Houlton’s Riverfront Park that will lead kids and families through a series of 20 storybook posts along the trail.
Each year, SNAP-Ed educators under the direction of the University of New England are required to tackle two community projects that promote health and wellness, Schools said on Tuesday.
Some choose community or school gardens, but Schools thought Houlton’s Riverfront Trail would be a beautiful site for the StoryWalk, a national program that promotes literacy, peace and family engagement, she said.
“I thought it would be attractive to families getting out and getting active,” she said, adding that when she goes to the park she does not see a lot of families on the trail.
The StoryWalk project promotes wellness and physical activity, and it partners well with boosting literacy and enjoying being outside as a family, she said.
The Houlton project is modeled after the Vermont-based StoryWalk that was created with an initial $250 donation in 2007 by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier who wanted to get parents and kids playing outside together.
Ferguson took individual pages from children’s storybooks, laminated them and attached them to poles along a park trail, creating a progressive tale. Today the national program is also in 13 other countries, including Germany, Canada, England, Bermuda, Russia, Malaysia, Pakistan and South Korea.
The town of Patten has a similar story walk on a one-third mile trail behind the Lumberman’s Museum with 16 permanent, weather-proofed stations featuring pages from Maine-themed nature books.
Last week, the Houlton Town Council approved the installation of the StoryWalk for the town’s Riverfront Trail. According to Schools, the town’s recreation director, Owen Gallop, helped her through site selection and town approvals.
“I had an opportunity to sit down with Jennie and Owen, and I look forward to supporting this project,” said Interim Town Manager Cameron Clark during the meeting.
Councilor Eileen McLaughlin, who cast the dissenting vote, questioned whether Riverfront Park was the best location and also wondered how the project would be maintained.
Councilor Jon McLaughlin, who was chairing the meeting, explained that the story posts would be secure and protected from weather and vandals.
“I think where it is going to be placed is ideal,” said Councilor Edward Lake.
Schools will select SNAP-Ed-approved books that will change seasonally.
As people on the trail experience the StoryWalk, they will have to travel from stop to stop to get the whole story, she said.
Schools is considering adding instructions such as “Do 10 jumping jacks” at some of the story stops. Or if a story is about growing and using pumpkins, there may be pumpkins at the end of the trail.
She is currently working with SW Collins to get quotes on the building materials needed to make the frames and posts, and she is preparing to choose an assembly team, hopefully from the community, she said.
“If we could turn this into another learning experience and have many community hands involved, that would be great,” Schools said.
The StoryWalk is planned for a summer completion.
