Tales on the Emerald Trail: StoryWalk® opens on LaVilla Link to bring stories to families as they stroll

Steps and story time come together on the LaVilla Link of the Emerald Trail, thanks to a new, rotating installation called StoryWalk®, which features a series of 20 mounted displays depicting sequential pages from a children’s picture book. Ultimately, the purpose is to bring families together to foster connection, movement and early literacy. The new StoryWalk® project was made possible by Baptist Health and is supported by the Library Foundation of Jacksonville and Groundwork Jacksonville.

The first book on display is Flower Garden by author Eve Bunting and illustrator Kathryn Hewitt. The installation will feature a new children’s picture book every three months for two years, with carefully curated selections by the Jacksonville Public Library team. In addition to the story, the mounted posts often include prompts to spur healthy conversation and movement.

“Health and education are both lifelong journeys that are not confined to clinics and classrooms,” said Michael A. Mayo, DHA, FACHE, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “Our goal from the beginning in supporting the LaVilla Link has been for the trail to be a place where people can move more, connect more, learn more and enjoy more. This helps foster greater community health and well-being.”

The new installation along the LaVilla Link is the second active StoryWalk® in Jacksonville. The other location is at A. Philip Randolph Heritage Park in the Historic Eastside neighborhood.

“This important project combines many of the priorities my administration is focused on: health, literacy, and neighborhood improvements. Through Mayor Deegan’s River City Readers, we are emphasizing that early literacy is vital to academic achievement, health, economic development and public safety,” said Mayor Donna Deegan. “The new StoryWalk® installation furthers these ideas in a beautiful, accessible way. Thanks to Baptist Health, Groundwork Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Public Library for bringing this concept to life for families to enjoy.”

“The Library’s mission is to enrich lives, build community and foster success by bringing people, information and ideas together,” said Tim Rogers, Jacksonville Public Library’s chief librarian and library director. “And that mission is brought to life with this gift from Baptist Health to launch a new StoryWalk® site on Jacksonville's Emerald Trail. Children and families will enjoy reading and experiencing the ever-changing, interactive book exhibit in this beautiful outdoor environment for years to come.”

The StoryWalk® is positioned near the butterfly garden on Johnson Street between W. Church and W. Duval Streets, along the 1.3-mile LaVilla Link. The LaVilla Link is the first section of the planned 30-mile Emerald Trail, which will encircle the urban core and link 14 historic neighborhoods to downtown, Hogans Creek, McCoys Creek and the St. Johns River.

“This is a unique opportunity for families to read together and experience the outdoors together along one of the most picturesque parts of the LaVilla Link,” said Kay Ehas, Groundwork Jacksonville CEO. “We are grateful to Baptist Health for its continued support of the Emerald Trail and for this imaginative activation opportunity that will bring joy to so many.”