Kosciusko Chamber Has Ribbon-Cutting For Pike Lake StoryWalk
Text, Photos and Video
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Visitors to Pike Lake in Warsaw may now enjoy a story while getting some exercise.
That’s due to the new StoryWalk along the Beyer Farm Trail by the Firemen’s Building at Pike Lake Campground, 1013 E. Arthur St.
The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon-cutting for it on Monday, Sept. 9.
The Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department collaborated with the Warsaw Community Public Library on the project, whereby people may read a book via stopping at 19 stations along the path.
The library’s youth department is handling selecting the books and changing them out every few months, while the parks department is maintaining the actual StoryWalk.
The first book at the StoryWalk is “Acorn Was a Little Wild” by Jen Arena. Books chosen for the StoryWalk are in both English and Spanish, with Language Matters of Warsaw translating any books which aren’t already in Spanish.
Contributing funds for the project were the Friends of the Warsaw Community Public Library, the Warsaw Noon Optimist Club and the Warsaw Kiwanis Club, with the latter doing a $1,500 check presentation after the ribbon-cutting.
Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent Larry Plummer said “it’s incredible” to work with the library on the project.
“It’s going to be a valuable part of our park and an addition to our park,” he said. “I think a lot of families will enjoy it and what a better place than the Beyer Farm Trail.”
Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department Recreation Director Stephanie Schaefer said she was “excited for the location.”
“I just think children being out in nature and being able to read a story together as a family is very incredible,” she said. “I think this is a beautiful place out here, so just another great addition to what we already have here in Warsaw.”
WCPL Director Heather Barron said the StoryWalk “blends all of my favorite things: literacy, nature and movement.”
“So I am beyond thrilled that this happened as soon as it did,” she said. “It really took a village to make this happen between all the different groups.”
Barron said people are welcome to donate to put future books at the StoryWalk by contacting the library at (574) 267-6011.
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- The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon-cutting for the new StoryWalk at Beyer Farm Trail at Pike Lake in Warsaw on Monday, Sept. 9. People may read a book by stopping at the 19 stations of the StoryWalk, which was a collaboration between the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department and Warsaw Community Public Library.
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- WCPL Shelving Clerk Cheryl Wise reads a portion of the book to people at one of the stations on Monday.
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- Shown is one of the book stations, with the book at the StoryWalk being “Acorn Was a Little Wild” by Jen Arena.
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- The Warsaw Kiwanis Club gave $1,500 for the StoryWalk on Monday. Shown in the front from left are WCPL Executive Director Heather Barron, Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department Recreation Director Stephanie Schaefer, Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent Larry Plummer, Warsaw Kiwanis Club President Danielle Wilson and Warsaw Kiwanis Club Member and Warsaw Parks and Recreation Board Member Michelle Boxell. In the back are Warsaw Kiwanis Club Assistant Secretary Bruce Andrews, Warsaw Kiwanis Club Vice President Jim Tinkey and Warsaw Kiwanis Club Member and Kosciusko Chamber President and CEO Rob Parker.