Story Trails

Enjoy the fresh air, a stroll...and a story! These literacy adventures build reading skills and create memories, from start to finish. For all ages.

Visit again and again; you may find a different story waiting for you!

How It Works

Each suggested activity along the trail is a way to build early literacy skills. (Early literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they learn to read or write.)

  1. Stop at each station.
  2. Look at the picture.
  3. Read the story together.
  4. Complete the activity.
  5. Move on to the next page!

Locations

Johnston-McVay Park

A mom and child enjoying the story trail at Johnston-McVay Park in November 2020

This trail is a windy 1/4-mile paved loop featuring unique playground equipment. Learn more about this park.

Presented in partnership with Westerville Parks & Recreation. Thanks to funding from the Westerville Library Foundation.

Hilmar Park

Picture of cover page of book in metal post along a trail lined with prairie wildflowers

This sunny and flat trail is a 1/4 mile paved loop around a grass field featuring prairie wildflowers. Learn more about this park.

Presented in partnership with Genoa Township. Thanks to funding from Genoa Township and the Westerville Library Foundation.

Ridgewood Park

Photo of page spread from a book (I Got the Rhythm) in a metal post next to a wood boardwalk in the forest

This wooded trail is a 1-mile (round trip) mulch path with walking bridges along a creek. Stroller friendly. Parking lot located on Buenos Aires Blvd between Harbin Dr and Madrid Dr. Learn more about this park.

Presented in partnership with Blendon Township. Thanks to funding from the Westerville Library Foundation.

Featured Stories

Story Trails

2026 Story Trails

These books will be at a story trail near you!

Story Trails: Featured Books in 2025

Check out what titles are coming to a story trail near you, or reread a past favorite.

Story Trails: Featured Books in 2024

Check out what titles are coming to the Johnston-McVay Park story trail, or reread a past favorite.

Story Trail at Johnston-McVay Park 2023

Check out what titles are coming to the Johnston-McVay Park story trail, or reread a past favorite.

Thanks to Our Sponsor

The Westerville Library Foundation's fundraising efforts helped make this project possible.

Let's Have a Story with Lyn Ford

Feb 21st | 10:00am - 10:30am
Become immersed in the "trickster critters" stories of Affrilachian oral tradition shared with humor, history, and audience participation!

Urban Strings Columbus: Youth Orchestra

Feb 7th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Listen to music from popular African American composers and arrangers, performed by Youth String Ensembles!

Glow-in-the-Dark Family Yoga (Ages 4-11)

Feb 1st | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Stretch, meditate, and find a hobby for your mind and body with glow sticks! Presented by Balanced Child. Ages 4-7 must have supervision!

Straw Rockets: Black History in Space

Feb 1st - Feb 28th | All day
Learn about Black pioneers of space history and make a straw rocket. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 & BLAST OFF!

Kristen C.

When she’s not working with kids here at the library, you might find her on the bike trail or baking up a sweet treat.

Ashleigh M.

Ashleigh loves to see people grow and become their best selves here at the library.

Annamarie C

Annamarie loves all things Disney! When she's not planning her next storytime, she's likely traveling or volunteering at the Columbus Zoo.

Katie R.

Katie knows all of the tricks to start your baby on the path to lifelong reading.
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