Permanent StoryWalk opens in Aspinwall

Strolling through Aspinwall Fireman’s Memorial Park just got a bit more picturesque.

Cooper-Siegel Community Library opened its permanent StoryWalk, a display of colorful, oversized children’s book pages that line the path at the park in upper Aspinwall.

It is the first permanent display in Allegheny County, Jill McConnell, library executive director, said.

The project was paid for by a $10,000 grant from the Rotary Club of Fox Chapel Area.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was hosted April 30 with about 35 people, including those from the library, borough, Rotary and the wider community.

“Many people thanked us for installing the StoryWalk in the well-used park,” McConnell said. “We were very pleased with the turnout for the opening event.”

StoryWalks were created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vt., in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.

They are meant to combine movement and literacy and are aimed at people of all ages.

Cooper-Siegel youth services librarians selected picture books for the path that appeal to children ages 3-8. The pages of the books will be displayed at stations, with the final stop to include suggestions for related activities.

O’Hara resident Teresa Gaspard and her son, Laken, 11, walked along the park’s path and stopped at a station to read a page from the initial installment “Rah, Rah, Radishes!: A Vegetable Chant” by April Sayre.

Pages are secured in displays at “kid-height” so families can read the story together, Megan Fogt, library youth services department head, said.

“Rah, Rah, Radishes!” uses photos of popular vegetables along with those less common, accompanied by Sayre’s cheerful chant that celebrates their goodness.

Elsewhere in the region, Storywalks are gaining popularity with temporary installations.

Families near Sewickley have five StoryWalk sites where they can take a self-guided walk to read.

Different spring-themed picture book stories are featured at each site. The program runs through May 23. For more information, visit sewickleylibrary.org/kids.

Earlier this year, Cooper-Siegel and its branch, Sharpsburg Community Library, announced it would run temporary Storywalks through November at both sites.

Sharpsburg Library Manager Sara Mariacher said it is a “wonderful way to connect literacy to our outdoor spaces and to reach people where they are.”

Sharpsburg’s inaugural walk showcased “All Are Welcome” by Alexandra Penfold. The book follows a group of diverse children on an ordinary school day.

Other books to be featured this year include “Pizza Day” by Melissa Iwai and “Maybe Something Beautiful” by Isabel F. Campoy.