Above: There are six locations in town that encourage combining reading with outdoor activity. Most are for families with young kids. But one is appropriate for tweens through adults. (photos clockwise by Beth Melo, Southborough Trails Committee, Lori Winer, and the Trustees)
Today’s weather warnings are all over the place. Southborough is under a severe thunderstorm watch, with a flood warning, yet overlapping with a heat advisory that lasts through Saturday.
But, tomorrow and Saturday morning start off at reasonable temps. And we are in for much milder weather starting Sunday. So, for those of you who will be looking to get you/your family outside and off screens, I’m posting a reminder about some great options.
[Note: for those who are looking for something to in the area that gets you out of the house but also keeps you out of the rain/heat, check out my post from earlier this summer.]
Five properties in town have StoryWalk® displays available for young kids. A sixth outdoor reading display is geared to older members of the public.
For those unfamiliar with StoryWalks, these are outdoor displays which take children’s picture books and split the pages across a path or trail. The purpose is to encourage literacy and outdoor physical activity.
Below are more details on the literary displays.
Southborough Library
(On the lawn behind the parking lot at 25 Main St)
With financing by the Southborough Community fund and assistance from the Department of Public Works, the Library installed a series of StoryWalk displays the summer of 2021.
This summer’s selection is “Too Many Carrots by” by Katy Hudson.
If you really enjoy reading outdoors, you can also check some books out and read them from the Library’s outdoor seating areas.
Chestnut Hill Farm
(On the trails off of 5 Chestnut Hill Farm Road)
The Trustees installed a StoryWalk at the farm in 2019. At that time, they shared the following text and photo:
StoryWalk is an innovative and delightful way for children — and adults! — to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Conceived as a way to inspire parents, teachers, and caregivers to take young children outside for physical activity and to learn, StoryWalk helps build children’s interest in reading while encouraging healthy activity for everyone.
Laminated pages from a children’s book are attached to wooden stakes, which are installed along one of our farm’s trails. As you stroll down the trail, you’re directed to the next page in the story. What a lovely way to enjoy the farm!
In late May, the Trustees posted that they had updated the selection on display with Drawn Together, written by Minh Lê and illustrated by Dan Santat.
Before you go, check out the Chestnut Hill Farm trails map.
Mary E. Finn Elementary School
(60 Richards Road)
The school for PreK-1st graders was the first Southborough location to feature a temporary StoryWalk display in 2016.
In 2019, permanent display cases were installed as part of an Eagle Scout Project and in collaboration with the Southborough Education Foundation (SEF). The first displayed story, All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfolds and Suzanne Kaufman, was dedicated to former Principal James Randell. (The image right was contributed by SEF.)
The StoryWalk is open to the general public when school isn’t in session.
Albert S. Woodward Memorial School
(28 Cordaville Road)
The school for 2nd-3rd graders was the first Southborough school also began featuring temporary StoryWalk displays in 2016. A permanent display (also dedicated to former Principal Randell) was installed in September 2018. (The image right was contributed by SEF.)
The StoryWalk is open to the general public when school and camp isn’t in session. (Camp is 8:30 – 4:00 pm on weekdays through August 18th. School resumes on August 31st.)
For older readers – Sudbury Reservoir Trail
(On the southern border of the reservoir behind 84 Main Street, between Parkerville and Deerfoot Roads)
This one is to educate the public on Southborough’s history. (You could consider it a walk through a chapter in the story of Southborough.)
In 2018, a section of the SRT was cleaned up for walking along the reservoir behind the Burnett House. To help walkers appreciate the view, historical background was posted along the trail. Three signs were installed to educate walkers about the historic estate and Southborough. Each included QR codes linking to the Historical Society’s website.
You can view the trail map here. The signs are along the section immediately west of Parkerville Road.
