Storybook Trail Blends Reading and Nature at East Harbor State Park

LAKESIDE-MARBLEHEAD, Ohio — A new trail at East Harbor State Park invites children to read, move, and explore the outdoors all at once. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine, and Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz celebrated the opening of the park's new Storybook Trail this week. The half mile trail is the latest addition to a program now featured at 23 Ohio State Parks. Child sized panels along the path display pages from a children's book, and interactive prompts encourage kids to hop, stretch, and act out scenes as they walk. A Program Rooted in Literacy "We wanted to capture the joy of reading and the fun of the great outdoors, which is why we started creating these Storybook Trails in 2019," said Governor DeWine. "Kids can read, move around, experience nature, and have fun with the different passages on each panel." The trails draw their books from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio, a program First Lady DeWine has championed since 2019. She has worked to expand it to reach every Ohio child from birth through age five. "Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio is helping inspire a love of reading in children across the state, and Storybook Trails are a wonderful way to bring that love of reading to the outdoors," First Lady DeWine said. "I'm excited to see this new Storybook Trail at East Harbor State Park, which offers another opportunity for families to make lasting memories." Guests at the opening honored Parton's influence on literacy by planting a tree in her memory. What Families Will Find on the Trail The East Harbor trail features the book "Blue Sky White Stars," a patriotic story centered on the symbols of the American flag. Visitors can also stop at a book exchange box near the trailhead, where they are welcome to borrow, share, or leave books during their visit. Director Mertz said the trail gives visitors a way to combine two of the park's strengths. "Storybook Trails are a wonderful way to connect children with both nature and reading," she said. "This new trail at East Harbor State Park offers families a unique opportunity to explore the park together, be active, and immerse themselves in the magic of storytelling." Funded by a Longtime Supporter The trail was made possible through a gift from Ohio State Parks Foundation trustee Dr. Theresa Popp Braun and her husband, Raymond W. Braun. "Ray and I are thrilled to help spark a love of reading and nature by funding the East Harbor Storybook Trail," Dr. Popp Braun said. "The trail celebrates and honors Governor DeWine and First Lady DeWine for their incredible leadership in expanding Storybook Trails and advancing childhood literacy in our great State of Ohio. We hope countless families will explore the trail together and be inspired by the wonderfully heartwarming, patriotic message of Blue Sky White Stars." Ohio State Parks Foundation chair Dr. Marcia Latta said the trail reflects the foundation's broader mission. "The Ohio State Parks Foundation is so pleased to be part of the Storybook Trail program, which gives donors a way to encourage families to learn, move, and make memories together," she said. "This newest trail at East Harbor reflects our commitment to providing creative, friendly spaces for families that deepen connection and encourage reading." The East Harbor Storybook Trail is now open. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio currently mails free books each month to more than 432,000 Ohio children. Parents can sign up their children at OhioImaginationLibrary.org.