Book Walk at Tallgrass Trail Opens With a Visit from First Lady Fran DeWine

A celebration ribbon cutting for Let’s Read 20’s permanent Book Walk took place September 19 at 4 pm at Marion Tallgrass Trail, 2093 Holland Road West. This LR20 Book Walk has come to fruition through a grant from Marion Community Foundation, awarded in the 2021-2022 grant cycle.

The book walk combines nurturing healthy bodies as well as health minds for families wishing to initiate their 20 minutes of reading in a fun and very engaging way.

The LR20 book walk will supply families with an additional community resource marrying nature, reading and fitness. The 20-stanchion book walk starts at the first informational sign near the Trailhead building and is contained within the first mile of the paved trail but does not cross Herr Road. All stanchions are placed on the north side of the trail.

Though the stanchions are permanent, the book can change periodically. Look for the book to be changed out 2 to 3 times a year in an effort to bring families back to enjoy the trail and a new story multiple times over a year.

Let's Read 20's core message is to get AT LEAST 20 MINUTES OF READING accomplished each day starting from birth through elementary school. This effort builds a foundation of literacy. We know that children who are read to and have access to books are more likely to succeed in school and in life.

Let’s Read 20 is under the umbrella of Marion Public Library and partners with all of the city and county schools, United Way of North Central Ohio, Marion County Board of DD and OHCAC/Head Start. LR20 is committed to building a community of readers by encouraging everyone to read to a child at least 20 minutes each day from birth through elementary school.

For additional information please contact Diane Watson, Let's Read 20 coordinator.

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Ohio's First Lady Fran DeWine chats with visitors to Marion's Tallgrass Trail for the opening of our Book Walk
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Mrs. DeWine autographs a Dolly Parton Imagination Library book for an infant
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Diane Watson from the Marion Public Library tells the group about how the permanent book walk came about.
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Whittney Mahle from The Marion Public Library touts the affects of reading 20 Minutes a day to a child.
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Dean Jacob from the Marion Community Foundation talks about how the foundation has supported this effort.
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Park Board President Dan Sheridan talks about the Tallgrass Trail
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Marion Library's Gary Branson talks about how the book walk can unite families.
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Ohio's First Lady Fran DeWine talks about how she learned about the Imagination Library and why she is determined to get books into the hands of children in Ohio, with the help of Dolly Parton.
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The Book Walk is officially open!