StoryWalk blends exercise, literature and indigenous culture at Henry Law Park

posted on 8/2/2023

The Dover Public Library has debuted the first book of its new StoryWalk, recently installed in Henry Law Park, thanks to a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities.

Through an approximately half-mile route beginning at the top of Henry Law Park by Washington Street and Henry Law Avenue, people can enjoy reading “The First Blade of Sweetgrass: A Native American Story,” authored by Suzanne Greenlaw and Gabriel Frey, and illustrated by Nancy Baker, while getting exercise and enjoying the sights and sounds of the park. The story winds through Henry Law Park, following the sidewalk of Henry Law Avenue, before returning along the pathway adjacent to the Cochecho River. The story ends in the parking lot behind the New Hampshire Children’s Museum, next to Dover Adventure Playground.

“The library staff is honored to provide and maintain this StoryWalk, and we are grateful to the NH Humanities for the grant,” said Children’s Librarian Patty Falconer. “Our hope is that this experience offers local families information about Native American culture as well as promotes a healthy family activity.”

The StoryWalk is part of the StoryWalk Project created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vt., and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Its mission is to promote early literacy, physical activity, and family time together outdoors. The Dover Public Library utilized a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities to purchase and install the display units. The display units are designed to easily change out story books, which Falconer plans to do regularly.

For more information, contact Dover Public Library at 603-516-6050.