BOONE, Iowa—It was a chilly ribbon cutting ceremony Monday morning for the new Story Walk® at McHose Park. Students from Trinity Lutheran School were on had, along with a handful of parents and children, ready to take that first walk to the story “Hello Autumn”. The walk begins on the paved path next to the Boone Municipal Swimming Pool and goes north toward the North Entrance to McHose Park. Jamie Williams, Director for the Ericson Public Library says “Hello Autumn” is a shorter story so not all the story stands are being used, but other stories will contain more pages. Williams and Zach Stier, Children’s Librarian at the Ericson Public Library, were joined by Chamber representatives. Michael Carr had a duel roll as a Chamber Red Coat, but is currently the President of the Library Board of Trustees. There were other Library Trustees on hand as well as some members of the Boone Parks Commission.

Story Walk® was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont as a way for children and adults to participate and reading and being outdoors. The Ericson Public Library began on working to bring the program to Boone over a year ago, working with the Boone Park Commission and staff on selecting the site. That was followed by fund raising. The project was supported by the United Way of Boone County, the Boone Force Board, and Friends of the Ericson Public Library. Installation was recently completed with help from Anthony Calek and members of the Boone Rotary Club, Boone Daybreaker Kiwanis and the Boone Lion’s Club.

Left to Right, Penny Vossler, Andrew Schroeder, Zach Stier, Mike Hammond, Jamie Williams, Erin Robey and Michael Carr.

Trinity Lutheran School students attending the ribbon cutting ceremony Monday

Trinity Lutheran School students begin the Story Walk®

“Hello Autumn” the first story on Story Walk® at McHose Park

QR Codes promoting other program opportunities at the Ericson Public Library