New Storybook Trail Open at East Fork State Park

BETHEL, Ohio – Through a partnership with the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has added a new Storybook Trail at East Fork State Park. The trail will create a new opportunity for children and their families to promote childhood literacy, develop a love of nature, and encourage healthy living.

“I hope Ohio families really enjoy the new Storybook Trail at East Fork State Park,” said Ohio First Lady Fran Dewine. “Reading is so good for a child’s development and reading on a Storybook Trail in a beautiful state park setting is even better!”

East Fork State Park is one of the largest state parks in Ohio. The park's Harsha Lake is excellent for paddling, fishing, and swimming. East Fork is also home to a large scenic campground, picnic shelters, nature center, and a vast trail system for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and backpacking. The Storybook Trail featured here is “Hugo and the Impossible Thing”, by Renee Filce Smith and Chris Gabriel. On the child-sized panels lining this trail, children can follow the story of Hugo, the determined little dog who encourages his animal friends to help him along his impossible adventure.

“Storybook Trails offer families another place to enjoy quality time with their friends and family, while encouraging the little ones to read and learn about nature,” said Director Mertz. “We are excited to provide more opportunities to link literacy with healthy living through our Storybook Trails. There really is no better place than an Ohio State Park to explore, learn, and really appreciate everything the great outdoors has to offer.”

ODNR launched the Storybook Trail program in 2019 and partnered with the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in 2020. There are currently 13 halfmile Storybook Trails located at state parks throughout Ohio, each with 16 child-height panels featuring pages of a children’s book and an activity to accompany the text on the page.

There are currently 321,565 children enrolled in the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library, which provides one free book every month to children enrolled in the program from birth to age five. To learn more about the Ohio Governor's Imagination Library and how to participate, visit Ohioimaginationlibrary.org.

Ohio is lucky to be filled with Storybook Trails created by all types of park and library districts across the state. ODNR will be installing several more Storybook Trails through the summer. Use our interactive map of Storybook Trails in Ohio to learn more about the trails and where you can find them here.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.