Ribbon Cutting Laurens County First Steps StoryWalk Trail at Joanna ParK

Description

Joanna, SC – June 1, 2025 – Laurens County First Steps is proud to announce the installation of a new StoryWalk® at Joanna Park, a project designed to promote early literacy, physical activity, and family engagement in the Joanna community. The park is located at 205 Pickens St., Joanna, SC. This interactive outdoor reading experience was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Laurens County Fair Foundation, the Joanna Foundation, and the Community Impact Grant from Laurens Electric Cooperative. Their contributions funded the durable permanent aluminum kiosks and installation materials that bring the StoryWalk® to life. The Joanna Park StoryWalk® features laminated pages from beloved children’s books displayed along a paved walking trail. Families can enjoy reading a story together, one page at a time, as they move from kiosk to kiosk, combining the joy of reading with the benefits of outdoor activity. “We are thrilled to bring the StoryWalk® experience to Joanna,” said Toni Able, Executive Director of Laurens County First Steps. “This project supports our mission to ensure that every child enters school ready to succeed, while also strengthening community ties and encouraging healthy lifestyles.” Joanna Park offers a family-friendly atmosphere with amenities including a paved walking trail, playground, splash pad, picnic shelter, ball field, and basketball court. The StoryWalk installation is designed to enhance these features, providing a new way for families to engage with literacy. The featured stories will rotate every few months, providing a fresh experience for returning visitors and new opportunities to explore various themes and authors throughout the year. Laurens County First Steps invites families, educators, and community members to visit Joanna Park and experience the new StoryWalk®. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Monday, June 16th, at 9:30 a.m. Children who attend will receive a free book and be among the first to officially walk the StoryWalk. For more information about the StoryWalk® or to support future literacy projects, please contact Laurens County First Steps at toniable@laurensfirststeps.org or visit laurensfirststeps.org. “The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, Vermont. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.”