What is StoryWalk®?
StoryWalk® is an innovative and delightful way for children — and adults! — to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. StoryWalk presents the pages of a book – often a picture book – along a trail to encourage reading and exploring our natural world.
CREA has joined organizations from all over the world that are using this innovative approach to promote early literacy learning, to engage families outdoors and in nature, and to encourage well-being in communities.
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.StoryWalks® have been installed in 50 states and 12 countries including, Germany, Canada, England, Bermuda, Russia, Malaysia, Pakistan and South Korea!
Joe Beale, a 2017 graduate of Mt. Ararat High School, constructed the first set of interpretive sign platforms for the CREA StoryWalk® in 2016 as part of his Eagle Scout project. The second set was constructed in 2021 by Highland Green volunteers with materials donated by Lowes. We change the books with the seasons, so there’s always a reason to return. Come and enjoy!
CREA’s Topsham StoryWalk® was featured in the Portland Press Herald in 2019. Read the article here.
Brunswick StoryWalk® currently features:
Topsham StoryWalk® currently features:
CREA’s Storywalks® are in two locations!
Our Brunswick Storywalk®! is located in a beautiful meadow behind our new office space at Brunswick Landing. You can find Storywalk® behind the brick building at 179 Neptune Drive in Brunswick. The first storyboard is at the edge of the parking lot described below. Storyboards are numbered and follow a meandering mowed path through the meadow.
In some seasons (winter), the path may not be clear, so enlist the help of your youngster in finding the next number, located at the base of the pedestal, to follow the story in order.
Please sign our guestbook (all ages!) and tell us what your children think of the story! Also, feel free to walk onto the white deck to visit our Furry Fox and Beautiful Bittern displayed in the window of our office space. If we’re around, we’ll come out to say hello!
After visiting the StoryWalk® you can continue to explore the area by visiting Neptune Woods, a nearby BTLT trail that is great for hiking and mountain biking.
Directions to Brunswick Storywalk®: Take Route One to Rt. 24/Cooks Corner in Brunswick. Merge onto Rt 24, then turn right at the light onto Bath Road. Turn left at the second light into the Brunswick Executive Airport (the former naval air station). Follow Admiral Fitch Ave through one stop light, then to a Stop sign (Flight Deck Brewing on far right corner). Turn left onto Pegasus Ave and follow through one Stop to the end of the road at a second Stop sign. Turn left onto Neptune Drive. 179 Neptune is the first building on your right. Drive past the building and park in the lot on the far side of the building. If that lot is full, park in the lot across the street.
Directions to Topsham Storywalk®: Our Topsham Storywalk® is located at the Cathance River Nature Preserve and starts at the head of the Barnes Leap Trail, just past our Ecology Center. See here for directions to the Ecology Center.
What age is StoryWalk® appropriate for?
Reading and exploring nature is for families with children of all ages! Older children can read the story to younger siblings or friends. Younger children enjoy running to each board, looking at the pictures, and being read to by siblings or adults.
Past and Future CREA’s StoryWalk Books:
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Our team uses Maine based Diverse BookFinder when researching our StoryWalk books. Diverse BookFinder is a comprehensive collection of children’s picture books featuring Black and Indigenous people and People of Color (BIPOC).
Thanks to the generosity of local volunteers, translations are available in French and Portuguese for most books featured.