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MONTEVALLO – Many children might think a visit to the library means spending an hour or more sitting inside for story time or a craft, but Parnell Memorial Library’s newest feature will have them on their feet—and outside.

Library staff welcomed patrons to the grounds July 10 to celebrate the installation of the first permanent StoryWalk in the state.

“We had a great time at the StoryWalk grand opening,” Library Director Savannah Kitchens said. “It was a really nice day, with families coming and going at their own pace.”

Located in the library’s enrichment garden and pecan orchard, the StoryWalk comprises 20 reading stations along a path, giving adults and their young children or grandchildren a place to combine literacy skills and exercise as they walk to each station.

StoryWalk is a free activity available to residents during normal park hours.

“This event is outdoors, free and self-paced, making it the perfect family activity to enjoy while still practicing social distancing,” Kitchens said.

The first installment of StoryWalk features the book The Curious Garden, a New York Times bestseller written and illustrated by Peter Brown.

“We are extremely grateful to author Peter Brown for granting us permission to use his book The Curious Garden,” Kitchens said. “We do plan on changing out the story one day, possibly in a year.”

The StoryWalk grand opening celebration featured games, popsicles and books available for checkout in the garden, along with free face masks for the community.

Montevallo’s StoryWalk project was made possible by the Parnell Memorial Library Foundation and installed by the city’s Public Works Department.

For more information about library services, visit Parnellmemoriallibrary.org, Facebook.com/parnellmemoriallibrary or @parnellmemoriallibrary on Instagram.

The StoryWalk Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition (VBPC) and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.