11 Free Storybook Trails
Storybook Trails have been a great way for us to stay active and get outdoors over the last few weeks. Many people from our awesome little community have shared their favorites with us. Thanks to everyone who has sent them over--keep them coming!
Where Did Storybook Trails Come From?
Anne Ferguson from Montpelier, Vermont, is a specialist in chronic disease prevention. Back in 2007, she was trying to figure out a fun way to get families outside and moving. She had the idea to separate pages out of children's books and post them along a local nature trail. The idea eventually caught on in her community and then she started loaning out books through Montpelier’s Kellogg-Hubbard Library .
Since then, StoryWalk trails have been installed in parks, on library campuses, and along nature trails in all 50 states and 12 countries. (Thanks to nar.realtor for this helpful history of Storybook Trails!)
We LOVE Storybook Trails because they provide a fun way to get outside to enjoy nature, get a bit of exercise, and to read. Some take you deep into forests while others lead you around peaceful lakes and fields.
Storybook Trails can be hard to find, so I've made a listing to try to help other parents out. Each listing below should have a Google Map link attached to the name.
1. Kopf Family Reservation Park. - Storybook Trails in Avon
This Storybook Trail starts right at the path connected to the Avon Lake Public Libary. We've known about this trail for a while now. When we visited it was the Fall and the autumn leaves made it look like it was straight out of a storybook!
To see this trail on our Instagram, click here
2. South Central Park - Storybook Trails in North Ridgeville
This Storybook Trail is 0.7 miles long and takes you around a beautiful lake and then into the woods. What we loved most about this trail was that the frames were low enough for my 2-year-old to be able to see each page.
To see this trail on our Instagram, click here
3. Every Child’s Playground -Storybook Trails in Avon (Next to the Pool)
This Storybook trail starts in the woods right behind the playground. It's a shorter trail, BUT there's another fun adventure trail right next to it called the Avon History Trails. Visiting both of these trails together makes for a fun trip!
To see this trail on our Instagram, click here
4. Coe Lake - Storybook Trails in Berea
This Storybook Trail is right in front of the library. The best part is after you finish the story there’s an awesome playground right there, and you can walk the beautiful trails at Coe Lake!
5.Carolyn Ludwig Park - Storybook Trails in Medina
This Storybook Trail in Medina is one of the oldest on the list. They started hosting it five years ago and have done a PHENOMENAL job keeping it beautiful and fun. There's a great little side nature trail to explore once you finish the Storybook trail. There's also a great little lake that seems to be great for fishing.
The Carlisle visitor center in grafton.There’s a trail called the children’s nature discover trail located in front of the visitors center. It’s a beautiful trail that not only has a storybook along it but also has four little cabins with different nature themes that the kids can go in side of and explore.
7. Lagrange Community Park - Storybook Trails in Lagrange
This storybook trail follows along a quiet little lake with a playground nearby. It's perfectly serene and makes for a great adventure.
This storybook trail is at the Westlake Rec Center start by the playground and end by the big hill (which my kids LOVE running up and down a milllllion times).About once a month, the storybook is swapped out for a new one. You can see which book is on display each month by visiting their website.
9. Lake Erie Nature & Science Center - Storybook Trails in Bay Village
This Storybook trail is at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, which my kids absolutely LOVE! They have the coolest little aquarium inside. (They aren't open yet. Keep checking their website to see when they do open.)Outside is where you'll find the storybook trail (it's a short one). It's located on the bunny trail, which is right next to the nature center building.
10. Rocky River Library - Storybook Trails in Rocky River
This Storybook trail is right by the library. It's short, but the cool part is there's a new book inserted EVERY week! Plus when libraries open back up, you can walk right inside after your little hike and check out some more books for your littles to read. How cool is that?
Storybook Trails We Haven't Been To (Yet!)
There are three other Storybook Trails I know of that we haven't made it to as of yet. I've listed them below.
The Storybook Trail at Carter/Pedigo in Richfield, Ohio.
The Storybook Trail at Solon Rec (starts near the Senior Center Parking Lot and continues to the Community Center)
The Storybook Trail at Bath Community Park
If you go check them out, let us know how they are. 😃
Alright. That's all we have for now!
If you know of a Storybook Trail that we should add to the list you can reach us by doing any of the following:
1. Send us a DM on Instagram2. Email us at clewithkids@gmail.com3. Comment on this post
We'd love to add your favorite Storybook Trails to this list.
And don't forget! If you'd like to stay up to date with new CLE With Kids Adventures, be sure to subscribe by using the subscription box.
Thanks to all of our friends who sent us these trails! We couldn't have found them without you.
P.S. We'd love to share a few of our favorite playgrounds with you! And if you're looking for a way to cool off from the walk? Be sure to head over and check out our favorite ice cream shops!