Police Point Park and the Medicine Hat Public Library are teaming up for another Story Walk at the Park. As seen in this file photo, the winter version from 2020 was Sleep Big Bear by Maureen Wright.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
lthomson@medicinehatnews.com
From now until Aug. 8, you can enjoy a nature walk and a story in Police Point Park, thanks to the Nature Centre and the Medicine Hat Public Library.
The Story Walk, which has been a regular feature in both summer and winter for nearly the last decade at Police Point Park, is back again.
Justine Bolen, park interpreter, explained more about the attraction.
“This particular story is being shared through the Shortgrass Library System, so it was created through the TD summer reading club of 2021,” said Bolen. “The story is called ‘The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do’ by Canadian author Ashley Spires. She’s written and illustrated this book. The cool thing about it is there is an English and French version of this story for our bilingual readers.”
There is a fun incentive for anyone who gets down to the park to explore the Story Walk.
“Our summer walkers that read the story can come to the Nature Centre (between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.) to pick up a prize coupon to redeem at the Medicine Hat Library,” said Bolen.
Bolen says the Police Point Nature Centre enjoys putting out a couple StoryWalks each year.
“It keeps people excited and waiting to see what comes out. We’re really excited to get this one out for the summer.”
Visitors can go into the Nature Centre if they need help finding where the story starts.
“It’s all labelled out on a path,” she said. “You can come in and ask at the Nature Centre. The first sign is at the very first bench outside of the Nature Centre.
“That’s the fun thing about these Story Walks is that we do have them on different trails throughout the park, depending on the season and what the story is. This one happens to go down by the river. It is pretty cool.”
Bolen says the Story Walks are a fun way for friends and families to get out and enjoy the combination of nature and literacy.
“We encourage you to come down and enjoy a beautiful summer day because it’s a free, family friendly activity. We encourage literacy for kiddos and all ages to enjoy.”
