The half-mile, paved walking path at Harrison Community Center (300 George St.) has a story to tell. In fact, it will tell many new stories each year.
Harrison resident and Boy Scout Elijah Dean installed a StoryWalk® project Dec. 3, 2022. The project includes 20 podiums along the path, each with a wooden display case depicting parts of an illustrated story.
Dean is part of Troop 408 and credits his Scoutmaster Joe Combs for helping him undertake the Eagle Scout Project. He presented the project at Harrison City Council in September.
“This was a project that I saw a need for,” Dean said. “This gives children and their families something to do as they walk around, as well as serve as an educational experience.”
Caitlin Snyder, Harrison Branch Library Supervisor for Youth Services, will manage the stories. The first story, now in place, was inspired by Indigenous-led movements across North America. “We Are Water Protectors” is a bold and lyrical picture book written by Carole Lindstrom and vibrantly illustrated by Michaela Goade. The story draws attention to the need to safeguard Earth’s water from harm and corruption.
Snyder hopes to install a new story each month. The library website will be updated with StoryWalk information as well as many other events for all ages.
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.
The first story installed at the Harrison StoryWalk is called, "We Are Water Protectors."
Ian West, Elijah Dean and Jimmy Dean installed the Harrison StoryWalk project Dec. 3, 2022.
Walkers can enjoy a story as they travel along the paved pathway behind the Harrison Community Center.