One evening Marcia Parsons was in Lititz and noticed the StoryWalk at Lititz Public Library. She had some time, so she read the story and watched as children, parents, grandparents and people of all ages did the same.
As the director of resident life experiences for healthcare, Marcia is constantly looking for ways to create intergenerational connections. Taking the StoryWalk planted the seed of an idea. “Could we do something similar at Garden Spot Village?” Marcia asked herself.
She researched the idea and discovered that StoryWalks are designed to encourage two positive activities, reading books and taking a walk; with a view to promoting literacy, parental involvement, physical movement/activity, and positive community relationships. People of all ages are encouraged to read a children’s picture book while walking along a short path, sometimes with prompts to discuss a question or do an activity at each post.
With that information in hand, she began to float the idea with others at Garden Spot and they quickly identified team members and community partners who could help make Marcia’s vision a reality.
One of the first steps was reaching out to Anna D’Agostino, the director of ELANCO Library. Because the library is located on the Garden Spot Village campus, Anna and others thought it was a perfect partnership.
Scott Ruth, director of grounds at Garden Spot, championed the opportunity and found ways to affordably install the metal stands. In early spring, his team dug the holes and installed the hardware, with a vision for storytelling in the near future.
The path selected, winds between homes along a macadam path from ELANCO Library to the entrance of Springwood and Summerfielde. This handicap-accessible path is open to anyone in the community who would like to enjoy a stroll and a story.
In mid-April the first book “Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring” by Kenard Pak, was installed on the stands.
On Tuesday, April 29 at 11am, immediately following the Library’s regularly scheduled Preschool Storytime, people of all ages celebrated the unveiling and walked the path together, enjoying the story, asking questions and learning in community.
Marcia looks forward to incorporating the StoryWalk with her weekly Preschool Hour, which is held in cooperation with New Holland Early Learning Center. The children, who interact with residents in skilled nursing and participants in DayBreak, will enjoy the interactive storytelling.
“I love the opportunity to connect people of all ages, around a meaningful, purposeful experience,” Marcia says.