MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - A bus full of second graders parked in front of Haslett's Orlando Park, where Meridian Township inaugurated its very first StoryWalk at 1 pm on June 2.

"Well this project was funded by the very first Capital Area District Libraries' very first service grant," Haslett Library Head Librarian Ann Chapman said. "The library board and administration invited all the branches to submit proposals for new, unique public service and Haslett library has been wanting to do a Story Walk for several years since we read about the first one in Vermont."

StoryWalk combines reading and outdoor exercise by posting children's books a couple of pages at a time on a path or trail in a park, according to Chapman.

The event was a partnership between Meridian Township, the Haslett Public Library and the Capital Area District Libraries (CADL).

"Well we're just thrilled to parent with Meridian Township," Executive Director of CADL Maureen Hirten said. "Meridian Township is a great partner for us. I mean we're in Meridian Township, they take care of our library and it's just such a wonderful partnership. And the sign company did a great job and everybody did such a great job. I just feel so excited today, I really do because it's such a great experience, I'm really excited."

The new feature of the park is meant to make reading exciting and fun for kids and to bring families together with outdoor activities.

"Because when you combine reading, first of all this makes reading fun, because it's got this great story, it's different than sitting in a closed room. You're up and kids love to be active, to be able to active and to combine reading with that activity on a beautiful day, family time maybe going or your friends or your family, it's all one package and it just makes it so special for the kids."

The very first story in Haslett's StoryWalk is "Moose on the Loose" by Kathy-jo Wargin.

The pages of the book are posted around the walkway of the park, and each page has a bit of the story and an activity to be completed.

The children, who were divided in two groups by their teacher, proceeded to either go around the park reading the story or play at the playground.

Each group made their way to read each page of the story, having the words read to them and making their way around the park.

All activities are literacy exercises, such as picking one's favorite letter, singing, playing, etc.

"We think it's a non-traditional library service that will improve quality of life for our residents in many ways. First of all the biggest benefits are reading and outdoor time with your family. But also snuck in a little literacy. On every sight there is a recommended activity to do on your way to the next sign. And those activities are based on the five early literacy practices: sing, talk, read, write and play. So the kids are building their reading skills while they're playing in the park," Chapman said.

The very first StoryWalk was created in Virginia, and since then, Ann Chapman said she could not wait to have one close by.

"Ann Chapman, our head librarian at the Haslett Library, I think she went to it or she heard about it and she was so exited about it. And a couple of years ago she was telling us about it at a big meeting, a library meeting, all about it and we were all really excited, like 'wow that sounds really cool' but it seemed very daunting at the time," Hirten said.

When CADL created the public service grants, Hirten said Chapman had the ability to move on with her idea.

"She said I'm gonna do my story walk," Hirten said. "I'm just so glad the kids are here today because it's really for the kids. I mean I walked it today and I wanted to hop to the next thing because it gives you these things to do. And I wanted to clap my hands and walk like a duck and it's just so much fun."

Chapman explained further how this project will work.

"Well in this story walk we plan to change the story every couple of months and we'll take it down for the winter. I am very hopeful that other municipalities will work with CADL and start having Story Walks in all of our communities," Chapman said.

LuAnn Maisner, Director of Parks and Recreation for Meridian Township, opened the debut ceremony by explaining what the feature is about and thanking the people who helped make it happen.

"Im just really grateful for all the cooperation and partnership. It couldn't have happened if we didn't all work together. And I just think it's gonna be a great thing for all of our patrons," Chapman said.