The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to announce the launch of a new “Story Trails” initiative through the Union County Open Space, Recreation & Historic Preservation Trust Fund. The County cut the ribbon this morning on the first Story Trail at Nomahegan Park in Cranford, with three additional installations to open in the coming weeks at Warinanco Park in Roselle, Mattano Park in Elizabeth, and The Loop in Watchung Reservation – all in time for families to enjoy before Thanksgiving.
- These consist of 16 panels, each with a page of a children’s story.
- Each story is in both English and Spanish.
- The story inserts are interchangeable, so the actual stories can be swapped from park to park.
- This project combines reading, physical activity, and nature exploration for families.
- As families stroll along the trail, they read the story page-by-page, advancing the narrative as they go.
- Stories vary for children of ages 3 -12 years old.
Four (4) Story Trails were purchased through Open Space, and installation was done in-house through our Park Maintenance division.
They are installed in:
- Nomahegan Park in Cranford (by the playground)
- Warinanco Park in Roselle (starting at the fishing dock)
- Mattano Park in Elizabeth (by the playground)
- The Loop within the Watchung Reservation (by the playground)
All books and displays were purchased through the Vendor Syncretic Press.
Habitat (located at the Loop) – “Habitat” is a heartwarming and educational journey about a group of animals searching for the perfect place to call home. From salty seas to bustling cities, Beaver, Skunk, and their friends explore diverse ecosystems and discover what it truly takes to thrive: food, water, shelter, and space. Along the way, they learn the importance of community and interconnectedness in creating a balanced habitat.”
A Hug From Otto (located at Mattano) – “It is Otto’s birthday and he wants to celebrate it with all his friends. He sends out the invitations; promising a big hug when they come over. But how do his friends feel about his promised “big hug”? One by one they all start sharing their thoughts and fears. Leaning on each other, they discover that trusting friends goes a long way, even in the deep ocean!”
Lupita and the squash (located at Nomahegan) – “This is the story of a girl and her love for squash in its many varieties. Her excitement takes the reader on a journey where they learn about the different names and uses of squash across various cultures. Lupita also shares secrets about how squash grows, from a tiny seed to a beautiful and versatile plant. Gastronomy, botany, and ecology blend in this story to bring kids closer to the natural world around them.”
Mateo and the Red Cat (located at Warinanco) – “Mateo received a present: a notebook with smooth white pages that called out to him to draw. So Mateo drew. He drew a happy red cat. As the days went by the cat lost his smile. Mateo worried and decided to add more drawings so his cat would be happy again. He did this again and again until he realized that this was not the solution. Then he started to think about what he could do to make his cat happy again. Finally, he discovered the secret…”