The Innisfil ideaLAB and Library is offering a mix of virtual and in-person activities during March Break – which included Wednesday’s Family Story Stroll, along the Rotary Trail.
A collaboration between the ideaLAB and Innisfil Leisure Services, the Family Story Stroll combined the library's storytime with outdoor activities, along the trail that runs through the woods beside the Innisfil Recreation Complex.
COVID protocols were still in place for the in-person event. Families pre-registered, booked a time slot and brought their facemasks. On arrival, they were welcomed by the ideaLAB’s Kristina Mortotsi and invited to participate in musical activities on the outdoor supersized instruments.
Then it was off for a gentle hike along the accessible Rotary Trail, and a reading of the classic story by Ezra Jack Keats, ‘The Snowy Day.’ The book, winner of the Association of Library Services to Children’s Caldecott Medal for best picture book, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this March.
The story was displayed one page at a time, on permanent signs installed along the Rotary Trail. Equipped with a walking stick, participants were invited to hike from sign to sign, reading aloud the story of young Peter’s adventures on a snowy day, with help from Mortotsi and the library’s ‘Miss Laura’ (Laura Jeffery).
The goal was not only to promote literacy but inspire families to enjoy winter activities, from making snowmen and snow angels to hiking Innisfil's outdoor spaces.
“They get a personalized story read to them – and it’s a beautiful day,” said Wendy Ricciardi, ideaLAB community relations and partnerships librarian, as temperatures rose above zero under brilliant sunshine.
The signs along the trail were installed in December, creating a permanent ‘Storywalk’ along the trail, and were first put to use just before the Christmas holidays, when the town held an interactive “Activity Walk.”
“Every season, there’ll be a new story or activity,” promised Ricciardi, noting that the outdoor programming fits into the Town’s strategic plan, to build community connections and well-being.
“It was born out of the Community Needs Assessment and our desire to help our community experience the beautiful outdoor spaces in Innisfil,” she said. “The partnership between Leisure and Library to make the permanent storywalk happen focused on getting people outside, engaging people with literacy in new ways, and improving mental health in the community.”
For more information on March Break activities, visit the Innisfil ideaLAB website.
