In keeping with one of Rotary International’s goals to support literacy, the Rotary Club of River Cities donated permanent signage for the StoryWalk® at the Nature Preserve in Prospect Heights, a project of the local library and park districts. 
 
“Partnering Through StoryWalks®”
Prospect Heights community partnerships celebration November 2019 
The Rotary Club of River Cities was formed by the merging of the Rotary Clubs of Des Plaines and Mount Prospect /Prospect Heights. In keeping with one of Rotary International’s goals to support literacy, the Rotary Club of River Cities donated permanent signage for the StoryWalk® at the Nature Preserve in Prospect Heights, a project of the local library and park districts.  A celebration of these local partnerships and the unveiling of the permanent StoryWalk® was scheduled for Saturday, November 9, 2019  at 101 Elm Street in Prospect Heights. The community was welcome to join members of the River Cities Rotary and staff from both the library and park districts at the Nature Preserve for hot cider and cookies at this celebration. Each child received a free book at the event . “The Rotary Club is proud to donate the signage to encourage literacy in an innovative manner,” said Rotary Club of River Cities President Steve Pokrak.
 
The StoryWalk® concept was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and was developed with the help of Rachel Senechal, Kellogg-Hubbard Library. “It encourages people of all ages to get out and walk while enjoying children’s books. This fosters family bonding to early literacy, connections to nature and community building”, said Prospect Heights Public Library District Executive Director Alex Todd. This StoryWalk® began as a local pilot project with the Prospect Heights Library and Park Districts in 2018.  A series of signs featuring sequential spreads from a children’s picture book, allowing a reader to follow along with a story by walking was erected. As you stroll along the path, you’re directed to the next page in the story. Each page of a children’s book was enlarged, laminated and attached to over a dozen lawn signs and placed along the perimeter of the Nature Preserve.  The StoryWalk® has been well received by the community so the temporary lawn signs have now been replaced with permanent stationary sign holders donated by the Rotary Club of River Cities.  The children’s stories will be changed quarterly and families can walk along the gravel path and read to their child or have their child read to them.  The community can enjoy this free service every day of the year.